[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5468]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  EXTENDING SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS 
                   KILLED AND WOUNDED IN AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 250 submitted earlier today by 
Senator Landrieu.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 250) extending sympathy and 
     condolences to the families of the Canadian soldiers who were 
     killed and the Canadian soldiers who were wounded on April 
     18, 2002, in Afghanistan, and to all the Canadian people.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on a rather 
unpleasant subject.
  I wish to offer a resolution offering the condolences of the United 
States Senate to the families and loved ones of those Canadian 
servicemen who were killed and wounded in Afghanistan last week.
  The Canadian and American armies have fought side-by-side since the 
first world war and that tradition has continued during our current war 
on terrorism. The servicemen and women of Canada have always proven to 
be brave and courageous fighters and they are certainly keeping up that 
reputation in engagements such as Operation Anaconda. Without the 
assistance of our Canadian allies, the burden of this present war would 
be much heavier on our own Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
  It is with heavy heart that I offer this measure. Not since the 
Korean War has a Canadian soldier died in a combat zone. It is my hope 
that Canadian servicemen and women will not be again called upon to 
make the ultimate sacrifice for a long time.
  I would like to honor today the Canadian soldiers of the 3rd 
Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, 
who have been in Afghanistan since late January as part of Operation 
Apollo and have distinguished themselves for their heroism and 
professionalism. No doubt today is a sad day amongst that unit as they 
mourn the loss of their comrades. Despite this horrible setback, the 
Canadian Army is focusing on the task at hand and is still fully 
engaged in its mission.
  For these reasons and for the countless acts of friendship between 
our two nations, I offer this resolution to extend the sympathy of this 
Senate to the people and fighting forces of Canada.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble be 
agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and 
any statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record, 
without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 250) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 250), with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 250

       Whereas United States and Canadian military forces have 
     fought side by side in conflicts since the World War I;
       Whereas the fighting men and women of Canada have always 
     proved themselves to be brave and courageous warriors;
       Whereas the Canadian forces are currently fighting 
     alongside United States and European troops in the hunt for 
     the remnants of Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization, al 
     Qaeda, and Afghanistan's former ruling militia, the Taliban;
       Whereas the Canadian soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 
     Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, 
     have been in Afghanistan since late January 2002, as part of 
     Operation Apollo, and have distinguished themselves for their 
     heroism and professionalism; and
       Whereas despite this tragic incident, the Canadian Army is 
     focusing on the task at hand and is still fully engaged in 
     its mission in Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses sorrow for the loss of life and wounding of 
     Canadian servicemen in Afghanistan;
       (2) offers sympathy and condolences to the families of the 
     Canadian soldiers who were killed and the Canadian soldiers 
     who were wounded on April 18, 2002, in Afghanistan, and to 
     all of the Canadian people;
       (3) affirms that the centuries-old bond between the 
     Canadian and American peoples and their Armed Forces remains 
     solid; and
       (4) praises the performance of Canadian servicemen in 
     Afghanistan for their heroism and professionalism.

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