[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25710]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            JORDAN BOMBINGS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, yesterday the world received the sobering 
news that a series of three explosions struck Jordan's capital city of 
Amman. At least 57 innocent civilians were killed in the immediate 
blast, and well over 100 were wounded.
  In an apparently coordinated attack, terrorists targeted three large 
hotels that are frequented by Americans. Indeed, when I traveled to 
Jordan, I stayed at one of those hotels, as many in this body have in 
the past. One of the blasts occurred during a wedding party of over 300 
guests. We have seen over the course of the night and the morning those 
pictures displayed on television.
  On behalf of the Senate and the American people, I express my 
heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and the Jordanian 
people. I condemn in no uncertain terms the perpetrators of this 
grievous attack. It is an attack on all free peoples. It is an attack 
on civilization. Together, we will help the Government of Jordan, if 
requested, to hunt down the criminals responsible for this egregious 
event and bring them to justice.
  Throughout the global war on terrorism, Jordan has been our steadfast 
partner, a reliable partner of our country. King Abdullah has bravely 
spoken against Islamic terrorism and extremism in the Arab world. Under 
his leadership, Jordan has demonstrated their commitment to peace, 
stability, and moderation.
  Yesterday's violence against the Jordanian people is another reminder 
of the indiscriminate brutality and vicious nature of the terrorist 
enemy. My Senate colleagues and I renew our call on the international 
community to redouble its efforts to defeat the terrorists and 
dismantle their networks. Defeating terrorism is the duty of all 
civilized nations. It is the challenge of our age.
  The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of 
Jordan during this difficult time. We share their grief and their 
determination to bring the killers to justice.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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