[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19602-19603]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING UNITED KINGDOM FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE WAR ON TERROR

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 989) commending the United Kingdom for its efforts 
in the War on Terror, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 989

       Whereas on August 10, 2006, British police arrested 24 
     people for plotting to commit acts of terror on trans-
     Atlantic flights;
       Whereas as of August 31, 2006, 12 citizens have been 
     charged for their roles in the terror plot, including eight 
     citizens charged with conspiracy to murder;
       Whereas United Kingdom authorities acted swiftly and 
     decisively to prevent a horrific attack on scores of innocent 
     people;
       Whereas the United Kingdom and the United States have been 
     close allies in not only two World Wars and Operation Desert 
     Storm, but also the Global War on Terror;
       Whereas the intelligence and military communities of the 
     United Kingdom and the United States continue to work 
     together to win the Global War on Terror;
       Whereas the threat of terrorism is a grave concern for all 
     nations, regardless of geographical or other boundaries;
       Whereas acts of terror have profoundly affected citizens 
     across the globe, including those in Egypt, India, Indonesia, 
     Jordan, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United 
     States; and
       Whereas victory in the Global War on Terror is a necessity 
     to ensure the liberty and safety of all people: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the law enforcement authorities of the United 
     Kingdom on their action to prevent a terrible attack from 
     occurring;
       (2) commends the intelligence community of the United 
     Kingdom for its outstanding work in identifying the citizens 
     seeking to carry out this plot;
       (3) condemns those that would use acts of violence against 
     innocent civilians to spread a message of hate and 
     intolerance; and
       (4) urges the allies of the United States in the Global War 
     on Terror to remain steadfast in the execution of this 
     important mission.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 989, a resolution that I 
introduced that commends the United Kingdom for its efforts in the war 
on terror and for their work in stopping a terrorist plot in July that 
could have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.
  Madam Speaker, since the attack on the United States on 9/11, the 
United Kingdom has been our closest ally in the war on terrorism. In 
this effort, there has been extremely close cooperation between 
American and British police and intelligence agencies.
  In addition, Britain has stood side by side with us both in Iraq and 
in Afghanistan. The British still have more than 7,000 troops in Iraq, 
and 118 British soldiers have lost their lives in that war. In 
Afghanistan, 40 soldiers from the United Kingdom have been killed 
fighting the Taliban and those warlords. Currently, Britain heads the 
NATO-led international security assistance force in Afghanistan, and 
British troops have been involved in particularly heavy fighting in the 
southern part of Afghanistan.
  In both of these countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, Britain is the 
largest contributor of troops of any country after the United States. 
The American people will not soon forget the sacrifice of our British 
allies in those wars.
  Madam Speaker, H. Res. 989 focuses on the outstanding work of law 
enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom in preventing the planned 
terrorist attack that would have blown up in midair multiple 
transatlantic flights from London to the United States. This plot was 
thwarted by British police and intelligence officials on August 10, 
2006, with the arrest of 24 people.
  In addition, the resolution cites terrorism as a grave concern for 
all nations, regardless of boundaries, as terrorist attacks have killed 
innocent people in countries such as Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, 
Spain, Turkey and, of course, the United Kingdom and here in the United 
States.
  Britain has been a close, long-time friend of the United States, and 
now they are standing with us in the war against terrorism. It is 
entirely appropriate for the House of Representatives to recognize 
their friendship and contribution in this war.
  This resolution was approved unanimously by the Subcommittee on 
Europe and Emerging Threats of the

[[Page 19603]]

House International Relations Committee on September 20. I would like 
to thank the subcommittee chairman, Chairman Gallegly, and the 
International Relations Committee chairman, Chairman Hyde, for moving 
this resolution very quickly through the committee, and I urge its 
passage by the full House.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2045

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I want to commend my good friend from Texas, a 
distinguished member of the International Relations Committee, for 
presenting this resolution, and I want to echo his words.
  The United States and the United Kingdom are the closest of allies 
for a reason: We share an unshakeable commitment to freedom and 
democracy. As the successful British action against the recent 
terrorist plot demonstrates, we also share a deep conviction that we 
must remain constantly vigilant against those who seek to destroy our 
way of life through violence and terrorism.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of my good friend from 
California (Mr. Lantos).
  Madam Speaker, Winston Churchill once said that the United Kingdom 
and the United States are two people separated by a common language. As 
that may be true, we are not separated but united in our determination 
and we speak in concert in our mission, to win this war on 
international terrorism.
  To the people of the United Kingdom, we, as Americans, are very 
grateful for their support.
  Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 989, commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War 
on Terror, and for other purposes.
  United Kingdom and the United States have been close allies in not 
only two World Wars and Operation Desert Storm, but also the Global War 
on Terror. We are cousins and we are friends, with a common history and 
common cause.
  On September 11, 2001, the United Kingdom reached out to us in 
sympathy and friendship, and joined us in facing the emerging threat of 
religious fundamental extremism.
  Sadly, on July 7, 2005, we reached out in turn as Britain suffered a 
terrorist attack on its London Underground and a bus, killing 56 people 
including four suicide bombers. As they suffered, so did we suffer, 
remembering the pain and confusion, the shock and the remorse.
  We have struggled to find sound policy to protect our homelands, and 
have stood shoulder to shoulder to develop effective strategies. Though 
we earn the criticism of many nations, including that of the United 
Kingdom, the conversation remains honest and open.
  The averted threat this past summer in fact illustrates the necessity 
of a global strategy, as well as the partnership of the United States 
and the United Kingdom.
  On August 10, 2006, British police arrested 24 people for plotting to 
commit acts of terror on trans-Atlantic flights with the help of the 
Pakistan Government. As of August 31, 2006, 12 citizens have been 
charged for their roles in the terror plot, including eight citizens 
charged with conspiracy to murder. This is only the latest 
demonstration that terrorism is not restrained by borders. Our 
gratitude for this heroic and brave effort can only be expressed in our 
ongoing perseverance and commitment to eradicating threats such as 
these.
  We are brothers in arms, united by history and by creed. I wish the 
same blessings for the United Kingdom as I do for our own nation--
safety, security, prosperity, and wisdom to make decisions that are 
forward thinking, democratic, and just.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and honor the 
accomplishments of the United Kingdom in the War on Terror.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res 989, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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