[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 51-57]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING ASSASSINATION OF FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR 
BHUTTO AND REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT OF UNITED STATES TO ASSIST PEOPLE OF 
                                PAKISTAN

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 912) condemning the assassination of former 
Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirming the commitment 
of the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating 
terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 912

       Whereas on December 27, 2007, former Pakistani Prime 
     Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while departing a 
     peaceful election rally;
       Whereas the attack on Ms. Bhutto also killed some 20 other 
     innocent bystanders and fellow Muslims;
       Whereas Ms. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October 2007 
     after 8 years of self-imposed exile for the stated purpose of 
     bringing democracy and the voice of moderation back to 
     Pakistan;
       Whereas Pakistan has struggled historically in its path 
     toward a secure and stable democracy, having been ruled by 
     unelected leaders for 34 out of 60 years of Pakistan's 
     history;
       Whereas Pakistan has been plagued by over 40 suicide 
     attacks, claiming over 700 lives in 2007;
       Whereas the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan 
     are being used by al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist 
     and extremist elements to regroup, retrain, and recruit for 
     future attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan;
       Whereas Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation, adding another 
     level of complexity to Pakistan's deteriorating security 
     situation and raising the specter of nuclear arms falling 
     into the hands of extremists in the future;
       Whereas the international community has a vital interest in 
     supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as to stem 
     the rise of extremism in the region, prevent global acts of 
     terrorism originating in Pakistan, and support the movement 
     toward stable political institutions and democratic values 
     and the rule of law;
       Whereas in the past 5 years, the United States has provided 
     over $5,000,000,000 in assistance to Pakistan and an 
     additional $5,000,000,000 to reimburse Pakistan for its 
     expenses incurred in combating terrorism;
       Whereas a significant portion of United States assistance 
     and reimbursements have gone to support Pakistani military 
     operations in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, 
     counterterrorism operations in the Federally Administered 
     Tribal Areas in Pakistan and to increase Pakistan's 
     counterterrorism and military capability;
       Whereas there is an acute need for additional assistance 
     from the United States and other countries to support and 
     promote Pakistan's economic, social, and political 
     development; and
       Whereas the tragic death of Ms. Bhutto creates even greater 
     uncertainty in an unstable region: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of 
     former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and expresses 
     its condolences to her family and the families of all those 
     who were killed or injured in the attack of December 27, 
     2007;
       (2) supports efforts by Pakistan to expeditiously bring to 
     justice those who have perpetrated this cruel and cowardly 
     attack;
       (3) welcomes the provision of assistance by the Government 
     of the United Kingdom of expertise to the Government of 
     Pakistan in the conduct of the investigation of the attack;
       (4) commends the Government of Pakistan for accepting such 
     assistance and urges that government to allow experts from 
     the United Kingdom to participate in such investigation in 
     the fullest possible manner;
       (5) urges the people and Government of Pakistan to be 
     relentless in its pursuit of a democratically-elected 
     government, including the holding of free and fair elections 
     at the earliest possible opportunity;
       (6) expresses its support for the freedom of the media, the 
     ability of political parties to express their views without 
     restriction, and the independence of the judiciary in 
     Pakistan; and
       (7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist 
     the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and 
     promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Ackerman) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 912.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, on December 27, former Prime Minister of Pakistan 
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi as she left a peaceful 
political rally. In addition, 20 of her supporters were killed in a 
suicide bomb blast and Pakistan was wracked by violence and instability 
in the immediate aftermath.
  Former Prime Minister Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October 
after several years in exile in an attempt to bring Pakistan back to 
the democratic fold and inject the voice of moderation into the 
Pakistani parliamentary elections. Her killers cut short that effort in 
an attack that was 1 of 40 suicide bombings that killed 700 people in 
Pakistan during 2007.
  Ms. Bhutto's life was marked by tragedy that played out on Pakistan's 
public stage. Her father was hung after a questionable trial. Her 
brother was murdered. As Prime Minister, she was twice removed from 
office by the army amid allegations of corruption and wound up in self-
imposed exile. Yet she remained very popular with the people of 
Pakistan, especially those in her home province of Sindh, and as the 
awful events of December 27 demonstrate, she was perceived as a threat 
by someone.
  The United States and the rest of the international community have a 
vital interest in supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as 
to stem the rise of extremism in South Asia, prevent global acts of 
terrorism from originating in Pakistan, and support the movement toward 
stable political institutions, democratic values, and the rule of law.
  The fact that al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist elements are 
using the federally administered tribal areas to regroup, retain and 
recruit for future attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a dangerous 
component of instability that, when added to Pakistan's possession of 
nuclear weapons, conjures up the frightening possibility of terrorists 
with access to weapons of mass destruction.
  All of this means that the United States and the rest of the 
international community need to do all that we can to promote and 
support Pakistan's economic, social and political development to 
prevent Pakistan from becoming a failed state.

                              {time}  1030

  The resolution before us today condemns Ms. Bhutto's assassination, 
expresses condolences to her family and the families of the other 
victims of the attacks, and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
States to the people of Pakistan as they combat terrorism and work to 
establish a free and democratic country. I urge all of our colleagues, 
Madam Speaker, to support the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution condemns the assassination of former 
Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirms the commitment of 
the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating 
terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
  I would like to commend the author Mr. Ackerman and the distinguished

[[Page 52]]

chairman of our committee Mr. Lantos for their leadership in 
introducing this timely resolution.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of the United States and the 
Congress, this resolution expresses our sympathy for the people of 
Pakistan on the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto 
last December 27. It should be noted that, in the immediate aftermath 
of the attack, both the President and Secretary of State Rice 
immediately extended condolences to the Bhutto family and the family of 
others who were killed and wounded on that horrible day. And, as so 
many observers have noted, Ms. Bhutto's death is a great loss to 
Pakistan. As Secretary Rice stated, she was a woman of great courage 
with an impressive commitment to democracy and to the future of 
Pakistan itself.
  Madam Speaker, as President Bush has emphasized, the perpetrators of 
this terrible crime must be brought to justice. In this regard, the 
Congress joins with the administration in welcoming the government of 
Pakistan's decision to accept British assistance to the investigation 
into Ms. Bhutto's death. We all hope that their actions to ensure a 
credible and transparent investigation of the circumstances surrounding 
Ms. Bhutto's death will help to restore calm, contribute to the 
conditions needed for a free and fair election to take place, and bring 
the perpetrators of her death to justice.
  The assassination of the former Prime Minister and the apparent 
attempt to destabilize Pakistan remind us again how consequential this 
relationship is to American national interests and our own homeland 
security. It is vital that we continue to seek to forge an enduring 
relationship and partnership with a democratic, stable, and prosperous 
Pakistan that remains a strong partner in the campaign against Islamic 
militants and which maintains responsible control over its nuclear 
weapons technology.
  Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence) be permitted to manage the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. With that, I urge support for the resolution and 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, remembering a 
true pioneer in the Muslim world. As the first woman to lead an Islamic 
nation, Prime Minister Bhutto represented a great hope for Pakistan and 
world peace.
  I had a chance to meet with Benazir Bhutto when she came to the 
United States to visit the John F. Kennedy Library back in the 1990s; 
and I was hopeful that I would have the chance to meet her again on the 
evening of her assassination when I was visiting Islamabad. Tragically, 
I heard the news as I was on my way to go visit her that evening while 
I was visiting Islamabad, and it was an evening obviously that I will 
never forget. It was one of those moments that many people tell me 
about when they recall my uncle's assassination. They say to me, ``I'll 
never forget where I was when I heard the news.''
  Madam Speaker, I often heard from people when I was over there when 
they tell me about my uncle and how they had heard the news all the way 
over in Pakistan over 40 years ago where they were when they heard the 
news; and I can tell you, when I went and visited the headquarters of 
her party after her assassination and visited the supporters of hers, 
their heartbroken feelings were such that she was considered by them to 
be part of their family. And it was something that I will never forget, 
because she was much more than just a political leader in their view; 
she was someone who was somewhat of an icon, a person who inspired a 
nation much more than just as any ordinary political leader would. As 
such, this assassination represents much more than just the killing of 
a political leader; it represents the dashing of hopes and aspirations 
of millions of Pakistanis.
  So, I join my colleagues in this resolution to say that we in the 
United States stand with our friends in Pakistan in joining in 
solidarity with them, and ensuring that her death is not a death that 
is going to be in vain, but, rather, that we are going to ensure that 
this election is going to be an election that she would have hoped 
would have been one that is transparent, fair, and would have lived up 
to the hopes that she had for a free and fair Pakistan. That is what we 
will all work for here in the United States and that I hope this 
resolution will help to bring about.
  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support as an original cosponsor of House Resolution 
912, condemning the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister 
Benazir Bhutto, and reaffirming the commitment of the United States to 
assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and 
promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
  Let me begin by commending the chairman of the subcommittee, on which 
I serve as ranking member, for taking his usual efforts with speed and 
sensitivity and professionalism to bring this resolution to the floor 
forthwith. I also want to commend Chairman Lantos. And I would take 
note of the presence of the Speaker of the House on the floor. This is 
an important resolution for this Congress to embrace, and it is 
important in the wake of this tragedy that it be the first thing this 
Congress do in this year.
  All of us, as we were enjoying time with our families in the 
immediate aftermath for many of us of a memorable Christmas, we were 
struck by the extraordinary and tragic events of 27 December 2007. As 
my colleague, Mr. Kennedy, just said, some of us were closer to those 
events at the time than others, but they were events that shattered the 
hopes of the entire world for a move in the midst of our critical ally, 
Pakistan, from a military dictatorship to democracy.
  And while there is always second-guessing about decisions that were 
made and policies that were made, let me say squarely, as does this 
resolution, the blame for this outrage, the blame for this tragedy lies 
squarely with the assassins. They alone are responsible for the 
horrific death of Benazir Bhutto. In fact, an al Qaeda commander and 
spokesman, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, gloated to the Italian news agency 
that they had ``terminated the most precious American asset which vowed 
to defeat the mujahadeen.''
  And, of course what makes this tragedy so moving and this 
congressional action so timely is that the former Prime Minister 
Benazir Bhutto knew the stakes. She knew precisely the dangers into 
which she was entering. In a late November interview even with Parade 
magazine here in the States, she said, ``It is only now that America 
has awakened to what we are already fighting, namely, Islamic 
jihadists.''
  As the ranking member of the full committee said moments ago, 
eloquently, Secretary of State Rice called Benazir Bhutto ``a woman of 
great courage.'' And courage is a word we throw around a lot in 
political life, it seems, but it was in this moment that I was struck 
with the reality of courage. Courage is not the absence of fear; 
courage is action on one's principles in the midst of fear. One has to 
know that this 54-year-old Harvard and Oxford graduate, giving up a 
life of luxury in exile, knew the dangers that faced her and the mortal 
peril in which she was walking on behalf of a free and democratic 
Pakistan. One cannot fail but be moved by that. If there was any doubt, 
then the immediate attack upon her on 18 October 2007, which left some 
145 of her supporters dead, relieved all doubt of the danger in which 
she was entering. And yet Benazir Bhutto, the first woman elected to 
lead a Muslim country, went forward, continued to take the risk, 
continued to advocate freedom, and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

[[Page 53]]

  I will say that while I want to acknowledge her unapologetically 
secular approach to leadership in government, I can't help, when I look 
at Benazir Bhutto, to think that she will long be remembered with a 
verse that comes out of a Christian tradition, which is, that greater 
love has no man or, if I may, woman, than this than to lay down their 
life for their friends.
  Benazir Bhutto showed a love for the people of Pakistan. She showed a 
love for freedom. And in this resolution, the United States of America 
by its Congress will reaffirm to the people of Pakistan our commitment 
to justice in this instance, and our commitment to see stability and 
democracy reign in that critical ally.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
distinguished Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
giving us this opportunity to express our sympathy and sadness and 
recognize the tremendous contribution of Benazir Bhutto to the cause of 
democracy.
  Thank you, Mr. Ackerman and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, ranking 
member of the full committee; Mr. Lantos and Mr. Pence for their giving 
this opportunity to us as well and for their strong words and support 
of democracy in Pakistan.
  Benazir Bhutto about 15 years ago came to this Chamber of Congress, 
one of the first women ever to address a joint session of Congress. 
Only in her thirties, I believe, at the time, she inspired us, she 
filled us with hope, and the confidence which she projected gave us the 
confidence that democracy could come to Pakistan. That was a while ago, 
and much has transpired since then. She has been in and out and in 
again as Prime Minister. And, as you know, when she returned to 
Pakistan, it was to participate in an election to take Pakistan back 
down the path to democracy.
  Her return was courageous. Mr. Pence mentioned the word courageous. 
It was courageous for many reasons. It is important to note that her 
father and two of her brothers had been assassinated. They were victims 
of political violence. And, of course, their family was dealt another 
blow as were the people of Pakistan with the brutal assassination of 
Benazir Bhutto.
  She possessed a remarkable optimism about the future, a belief in the 
power of dialogue, and a strong, strong commitment to democracy. She 
was an advocate for reconciliation between Islamic and non-Islamic 
societies, and outlined how that goal could be achieved. She not only 
had a vision, she had a plan on how it would be done. The strength of 
her message of hope has underscored how much we lost in her tragic 
death.
  In the days and the weeks that have followed Benazir Bhutto's death, 
there has been little good news from Pakistan. The Musharraf government 
continues to deny the Pakistani people a full accounting of the 
assassination and the events that followed. There must be a strong 
international investigation of this despicable crime. I acknowledge and 
recognize that the government has accepted assistance from Scotland 
Yard and the government of Great Britain. But the government has 
delayed scheduled parliamentary elections while continuing to jail 
democratic activists, suppress journalists, and shut out international 
monitors. The Bush administration must continue to press the Pakistani 
government to ensure that the coming election is free and fair.

                              {time}  1045

  I think it is important to note, my colleagues and Madam Speaker, 
that the 9/11 Commission recommendations, which were passed by this 
body and were signed into law last year, condition U.S. assistance to 
Pakistan on the cooperation of the Pakistani Government with global 
efforts against terrorism.
  Since 2001, Pakistan has received nearly $10 billion in U.S. 
assistance. The Bush administration has repeatedly certified that our 
assistance would facilitate Pakistan's transition to democracy. We 
clearly have not seen enough progress in this area.
  Troubling questions have been raised about our assistance to 
Pakistan, that it has not been properly monitored and that the 
Pakistani Government may be using it for purposes other than those 
intended.
  Last year, under the leadership of Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking 
Member Frank Wolf of the Foreign Operations Appropriations 
Subcommittee, under their leadership, our legislation shifted economic 
assistance for Pakistan from going directly to the Musharraf government 
to going directly to the Pakistani people on the ground. Indeed, this 
was a step forward and a recognition of the concerns that we had about 
how that aid was being used in Pakistan.
  I believe the best way for the United States to honor the legacy of 
Benazir Bhutto is to renew our engagement directly with the people of 
Pakistan. We urge the Musharraf government to implement democratic 
reforms by restoring the Pakistani constitution, ensuring freedom of 
expression and assembly, guaranteeing free and fair democratic 
elections, and restoring an independent judiciary.
  The opportunity that Mr. Ackerman and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Lantos 
and Mr. Pence have given us today to give an overwhelming vote in 
support of this resolution can tell the world that again we have gone 
on record in support of the democratic hopes of the Pakistani people 
and to pay tribute to the legacy of Benazir Bhutto.
  I know I speak for all Members when I express my condolences to the 
family of Benazir Bhutto, and also to all of the others who lost loved 
ones in this tragic incidence of violence and assassination in 
Pakistan.
  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the ranking member of 
the legislative branch of the Appropriations Subcommittee, the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).
  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, I consider it a privilege to follow the 
distinguished Speaker of the House in recognizing our support for the 
people of Pakistan and our remorse that the world community of 
peacemakers has lost the great Benazir Bhutto. I, too, considered her a 
personal friend. I spent many hours with her, mostly associated with 
the National Prayer Breakfast here.
  During the years she was in exile, she came many times to our 
National Prayer Breakfast, which is always the first Thursday in 
February. She was a proud participant in the Islamic tradition. 
However, she was always interested in the teachings of Jesus, and she 
was very much fascinated by the concepts of forgiveness and 
reconciliation, and the principles that the last would be first and 
basically the way that the teachings of Jesus turned the world upside 
down. And we had coffee with her. We had lunches with her. My wife and 
I had dinner with her and her controversial husband and got to know him 
when he was here the last time she was here and visited with us.
  She was truly a courageous human being, someone who understood the 
West, yet maintained her solid heartfelt conviction to her favorite 
country, Pakistan. She spent a lot of time with us, and she truly was a 
peacemaker.
  I believe the greatest way to honor her courageous death would be for 
us to work tirelessly to empower the moderates within Islam to stand 
with us against radicalization, in any faith, frankly. But today, 
particularly in the Islamic faith, the radicals threaten the world. Yet 
92 percent of people within Islam believe that terrorism is not an 
acceptable means to an end. And she was a leader among that 92 percent.
  The problem is 8 percent of Islam is 130 million people who think 
that terrorism is acceptable, and those are the people that killed her. 
And they will kill anyone who threatens their ideology. And they killed 
her.
  We need to empower all of the moderates within this very large 
religion to stand with us against the radicals, and then we can honor 
her courageous death. She will live on though, really through eternity, 
as one who, as Mike Pence said, was willing to lay down her life for a 
friend.
  I will quote another Christian idea. It is in the Beatitudes. 
``Blessed are the

[[Page 54]]

peacemakers, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.'' Benazir 
Bhutto was a peacemaker. She gave her life for a cause, and the entire 
world should be grateful.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me offer my gratitude to 
Chairman Ackerman and to his cosponsor, Mr. Pence, and our chairman of 
the full committee, Mr. Lantos, for all of his leadership and certainly 
his recognition as a peacemaker as well, and to the ranking member, 
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
  I rise today with a great degree of somberness and, to a certain 
extent, hopelessness. But I also rise to express my appreciation for 
the life and the legacy of Benazir Bhutto. I also want to offer a 
personal sympathy and acknowledgment to her husband, Mr. Zardari; her 
son, Bilawal; and her daughters, Bakhtwar and Aseefa, for our families 
mourn with you.
  And I think it is important in the backdrop of one of the greatest 
peacemakers' birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King, to place former Prime 
Minister Benazir Bhutto in her rightful place. I am glad my colleagues 
called her a peacemaker. I call her a humanitarian and someone who was 
willing to sacrifice her own life to push the envelope of democracy.
  I hold in my hand the Washington Post today that has as a headline, 
``Bhutto's last day in keeping with her driven life.'' It indicates a 
quote that I think speaks to her life. It says, ``Wake up, my 
brothers.'' That is why she was campaigning in such a frenzied manner. 
That is why she was waving to her constituents and fellow brothers and 
sisters as she left the place of her speech.
  So I think it is important for us to make the very important note 
that we should not victimize the victim. Her assassination was not her 
fault. Everyone in a pressing democracy wants the ability to 
communicate with those who you are trying to encourage to wake up. 
Today we honor that bravery, that courage.
  We say to the Pakistani Government, for this Nation to move forward, 
there must be an enlisted and entrenched commitment to democracy. There 
must be a full investigation of this assassination. It must be 
determined whether al Qaeda had others beyond its reach to be involved 
in what may have been a conspiracy. And yes, the leadership of the 
Pakistan Government must ensure the security of all candidates going 
forward for these elections. The elections must be ensured.
  But we must thank former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for her 
legacy; that she was not concerned about her own safety, that she 
wanted greatness and excellence for her country.
  I joined with President Clinton in a visit some years ago when we met 
President Musharraf, and there were great hopes that he would move his 
country towards democracy. There were times that occurred. Now he must 
show that he is sincere about this democracy and let the elections go 
forward and let a democratic leader emerge from this election. At the 
same time, he must of course make sure that the instruments of 
democracy, the court system, the media, and all of those different 
voices be heard, but it must be ensured that the government is in the 
business of security and making that happen.
  In speaking to Prime Minister Bhutto in the days and weeks before her 
death, as I did, it was obvious that she was concerned about her 
security, but she was concerned about the future of the people of 
Pakistan. Again, a peacemaker, someone who put her life behind her love 
and affection for this country.
  And so we rise today to acknowledge the horrific tragedy, the fact 
that her family has suffered such, and the fact that she was truly a 
fighter globally. But there is a challenge that she knew that we had to 
confront together, and that is the tribal areas in Pakistan. It is a 
place where we must accept the collapse, if you will, of the foreign 
policy efforts of this nation, for it is there where the Taliban is 
resurging and there where al Qaeda may be strong, and it is there where 
it is alleged that Osama bin Laden rests.
  So this policy must begin to address what former Prime Minister 
Benazir Bhutto wanted us to address: the social and economic needs, 
along with the security needs, of the Pakistani people. And it is my 
call that we not give up on the Pakistani people or Pakistan. It is a 
country that was founded on democratic principles. We must not give up 
on the Pakistani people around the world and Pakistani Americans. They 
want democracy. Those in my community want democracy for their nation, 
and my constituents in Houston, Texas, are calling me every day so we 
can come together to find a way to put Pakistan on the path to 
democracy.
  Sleep well, my good friend, former Prime Minister Bhutto. We owe you 
an enormous debt of gratitude, and deepest sympathy to your family. But 
our commitment is that your lust and love for peace will never be 
forgotten. We owe you that in our tribute and our words and actions and 
deeds. May all rest in peace, in you, a great and wonderful leader.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 912, 
introduced by my distinguished colleague Mr. Ackerman. I am proud to be 
an original cosponsor of this bipartisan resolution, which condemns the 
assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and 
reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist the people of 
Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free and 
democratic Pakistan. I express my sincere condolences to Ms. Bhutto's 
husband, Asif Ali Zardari, and her children, Bilawal, Bakhtwar, and 
Aseefa. I would like to thank my colleague Mr. Ackerman for introducing 
this resolution, and I would like to commend Mr. Lantos for his 
leadership on Pakistan as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  As my colleagues are aware, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir 
Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, as she left a peaceful 
political rally, in an attack which also killed over 20 innocent 
bystanders. Ms. Bhutto's death came 2 months after she returned to 
Pakistan from exile and was immediately attacked in a suicide bombing 
that killed over 130 people, and just over 2 weeks before Pakistan's 
democratic elections were scheduled to occur.
  It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of former Pakistani 
Prime Minister Bhutto. Ms. Bhutto was a woman and a leader who pursued 
excellence and greatness for her country, putting the needs of her 
nation above concerns for her own safety. As co-chair of the 
Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. 
Bhutto several times in recent months, and I was always struck by her 
commitment to remaining in Pakistan, despite attacks and threats on her 
life. Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan in October 2007 came in the 
midst of an explosion that would have driven away anyone of lesser 
heart. She left the relative security of family life in Dubai to return 
to her homeland, determined to see democratic processes and 
institutions grow in Pakistan.
  Benazir Bhutto was one of the world's most high-profile female 
leaders, and she rose to prominence amidst a male-dominated political 
hierarchy. After gaining her education at Harvard and Oxford, Ms. 
Bhutto followed her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, into politics. Like 
her father, she served as Prime Minister of Pakistan, holding the 
office from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. Also like her 
father, she was violently killed for her convictions, her dedication to 
her country, and her unwillingness to hide in the shadows upon her 
return to Pakistan.
  The assassination of Ms. Bhutto is a horrific tragedy for Pakistan 
and for the world. It is essential that her killers be brought to 
justice immediately. This is an extremely critical time for the nation 
of Pakistan, with elections that had been expected in early January now 
scheduled for February 18, 2008. Pakistan has seen serious political 
instability throughout the past year, weathering approximately 60 
suicide bomb attacks, which killed nearly 800 people over the course of 
the year.
  Pakistan continues to be an important ally in the global fight 
against terrorism. I am particularly worried about the security of 
Pakistan's leaders and people, and I believe that we must examine the 
measures that are being undertaken to ensure their safety. As co-chair 
of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I have long advocated the need to 
ensure that Pakistan is stabilized, and that its leaders and people are 
protected.
  According to the United States Department of State, Pakistan 
currently has 85,000 troops stationed along the border with 
Afghanistan.

[[Page 55]]

Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central 
Asian Affairs, recently noted that Pakistan has ``captured more al-
Qaeda than any country in the world, and lost more people doing that.'' 
Pakistani authorities have also killed or captured several top Taliban 
commanders in this area in recent months.
  Prime Minister Bhutto's assassination is a great blow to the 
democratic process in Pakistan. The international community must work 
together with the Pakistani government to ensure that those responsible 
for this brutal crime are brought to justice. In addition, we must 
stand with the people of Pakistan during this turbulent time, and, 
together, work together against our common enemy: terrorism.
  Benazir Bhutto was a truly courageous woman, and a true leader for 
her nation and the world. Her violent and untimely death is a true 
tragedy, and I join with the people of Pakistan, as well as my 
colleagues here in Congress, in mourning the passing of an 
extraordinary leader, as well as those who died in the December 17th 
attack with her.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, paying 
tribute to former Prime Minister Bhutto, condemning her assassination, 
supporting Pakistani and international efforts to bring her murderers 
to justice, and reaffirming our commitment to a free and democratic 
Pakistan, standing strong against our mutual enemy of terrorism.
  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to a member of the House 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and original cosponsor of this resolution, 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, 
and I also thank Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Lantos and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 
sponsoring this resolution.
  On December 27, 2007, the world reeled as it received news that a 
suicide terrorist and others had assassinated Pakistan's freedom 
fighter and beacon of democracy, Ms. Benazir Bhutto, during a peaceful 
political rally.
  She was educated in the tradition of western democratic philosophy, 
and received her higher education training at Oxford and Harvard 
University. She has been the voice in support of a democratic Pakistan 
for more than 20 years.
  In 1988, at the age of 35, she became the youngest person and the 
first female elected to lead a Muslim state. Since that time, Ms. 
Bhutto has remained committed to the restoration of a true democracy in 
Pakistan. When Ms. Bhutto returned to Pakistan last year, she knew she 
was putting her life at risk because, Madam Speaker, the violent 
enemies of democracy throughout the world are numerous. But her 
commitment to democracy in Pakistan was stronger than her fear of 
death.
  As the daughter of a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bhutto used 
to say she did not choose her life but that it chose her instead. The 
truth is she chose freedom and democracy, and her love for those 
principles compelled her continuous bold, even boisterous voice of 
democracy for the Pakistani people.
  Ms. Bhutto has been described as a defiant and strong-willed leader. 
In life and in death, her charisma and determination have been admired 
by people throughout the world.
  She was a beacon of democracy in Pakistan, and I join my colleagues 
in condemning her assassination with the expectation that the current 
government will seek out and find all of the assassins.
  Pakistan has been a loyal ally and friends of the United States since 
1947.

                              {time}  1100

  The United States stands with the people of Pakistan. We affirm our 
commitment to the Pakistani people in combating terrorism and promoting 
a free and democratic Pakistan. The long lamentable history of human 
conduct is filled with the names of martyrs who have been murdered for 
the cause of freedom. Today, we add the name of one more.
  And that's just the way it is.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Is the gentleman from Indiana seeking to recognize 
further speakers?
  Mr. PENCE. I thank the gentleman for his courtesy. I have no 
additional speakers, but would reserve the right to close for a minute 
or two.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Proceed.
  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to rise again to express my strong support of this resolution 
and urge as near a unanimous adoption of this resolution as this 
Congress can muster.
  I want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) for his 
swift and sympathetic and thoughtful legislative workmanship on this 
measure. As I said before, I think, given the tragic events of 27 
December 2007, it is important that this Congress be heard on a 
resolution condemning this assassination, and it is important that it 
be the first substantive measure that this Congress takes up. And I 
commend Mr. Ackerman, the chairman of the committee Mr. Lantos, and 
Speaker Pelosi for facilitating that, as I do my colleagues on the 
committee in the minority.
  This resolution condemns in the strongest possible terms the 
assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. It 
supports efforts by Pakistan to bring to justice those who have 
perpetrated this cruel and cowardly act. It welcomes the provision of 
assistance by the government of the United Kingdom, and it commends the 
government of Pakistan for accepting such assistance.
  In addition, it urges the people and the government of Pakistan to be 
relentless in their pursuit of a democratically elected government, 
including the holding of free and fair elections at the earliest 
possible opportunity. It urges support for a free media.
  And perhaps in the seventh paragraph, as I close, Madam Speaker, it, 
this resolution, which I hope and trust will be unanimously adopted 
today, reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist the 
people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free 
and democratic Pakistan.
  I quote again the words of the late and, no one would argue, great 
Benazir Bhutto who said just this fall in an American magazine, ``It's 
only now that America has awakened to what we were already fighting, 
Islamic jihadists.''
  I believe the greatest legacy that Benazir Bhutto could leave is not 
only a legacy of a democratically elected government in her country, 
but it would be a legacy of a further awakening in the world to the 
threat that free societies and those that seek to be free face from 
radical Islamic jihadists. If her legacy can be not only progress for 
her people toward democracy, but progress in the free world to renewing 
our determination to confront those who oppose our way of life with 
violence, both in support of the Pakistani Government and in places 
like Afghanistan and Iraq, if I might add, then that would be a 
powerful and meritorious legacy indeed.
  I urge support of all of my colleagues for this important resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. I would like to thank Mr. Pence, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen, all those who participated in this discussion. I don't think 
we can call it a debate. I think all of the indications that we have 
heard today indicate that we are on the same side on this.
  I would urge unanimous support for the resolution.
  Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my anger and 
sadness regarding the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir 
Bhutto. The horrific murder of Prime Minister Bhutto is a chilling 
reminder that extremist forces are continually trying to undermine 
democracy and freedom. Today, we stand with the democrats in Pakistan 
and throughout the world to oppose tyranny and terrorism.
  Benazir Bhutto was the first woman elected to lead a Muslim state and 
served twice as Prime Minister of Pakistan. I had the distinct honor 
and privilege to meet her when she spoke to members of the House 
International Relations Committee during the mid-1990's in an ornate 
ceremonial room just one floor below this rostrum. Her accomplishment 
paved the way for other women leaders to seek and win top offices 
throughout the developing world. Bhutto's dedication to democracy in 
Pakistan is closely tied to the time she spent as a student in the 
United States. In fact, she credits her exposure to America as a 
driving force behind her push for a free Pakistan.

[[Page 56]]

  Former Prime Minister Bhutto was also no stranger to the good people 
of Illinois' 16th Congressional District. In 2002, she spoke to an 
overflow audience at Rockford College about the link between promoting 
democracy and defeating extremist terrorists. I know I speak for the 
people of northern Illinois in expressing our heartfelt gratitude that 
she visited Rockford. Bhutto's speech was inspirational and 
enlightening. I enclose for the Record the article titled, ``Ex-Premier 
Pushes U.S. to Aid Democracy Fight'' from the Rockford Register Star, 
published on September 20, 2002, discussing Bhutto's historic remarks 
at Rockford College.
  Pakistan must continue its journey to political reform and democracy. 
The United States must stand with those who advocate for the 
fundamental freedoms that were bestowed onto all of us by our creator. 
Let's not forget Bhutto's legacy and stand with the people of Pakistan 
in this dark hour.

           [From the Rockford Register Star, Sept. 20, 2002]

             Ex-Premier Pushes U.S. To Aid Democracy Fight

       Rockford.--Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto 
     said Thursday that people of her country support her battle 
     to bring democracy to Pakistan. She wants President Bush to 
     help.
       The deposed leader--who at age 35 became the first female 
     prime minister in the Muslim world--continues her efforts, 
     made more important in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, 
     terrorist attacks.
       Bhutto remains critical of the regime of Gen. Pervez 
     Musharraf, who has controlled the country since 1999. She is 
     an author and active in the Pakistan People's Party, the 
     country's largest, pro-democracy party.
       ``I support democracy in Pakistan and, with the war on 
     terrorism, there is a new commitment to bringing democracy to 
     the Muslim world and the empowering of the Muslim people 
     based on fundamental human rights,'' she said.
       Bhutto planned to share this message later Thursday night 
     with a sold-out crowd at Maddox Theatre at Rockford College. 
     Additional crowds were seated in the Cheek Theatre and dance 
     studio to watch a live television feed of Bhutto's 
     presentation.
       Bhutto's visit kicked off the 2002-03 Rockford College 
     Forum Series, a program of speakers and workshops focused on 
     the politics and culture of Islam.
       Bhutto acknowledged that she hasn't met with Bush about 
     bringing democracy to her home country but ``other U.S. 
     officials'' assured her that the United States remains 
     committed to fostering democracy in Pakistan.
       ``I want President Bush to say `Look, you've been our ally, 
     and we want to help bring democracy because democracy doesn't 
     promote terrorism,' '' she said.
       Her determination to see Pakistan become a democracy began 
     after she completed her education at Radcliffe College and 
     Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, in the late 1970s.
       Bhutto was born June 21, 1953, in Karachi, Pakistan. In 
     1977, at age 24, she returned home and took up the struggle 
     to restore democracy and human rights in the country as a 
     leader of the Pakistan People's Party.
       Bhutto faced imprisonment and exile while guiding the 
     resistance to Pakistan's military regime.
       Her government was replaced by opposing political forces in 
     1990, but Bhutto was again elected prime minister in 1993 and 
     served until 1996, when the government was overthrown by a 
     military coup.
       ``My leadership was of different vision than the 
     conservatives. It was dictatorship vs. democracy.''
       Jeff Hendry, chairman of the forum series committee, said 
     Bhutto's visit was ``huge, especially now with all the news 
     in that part of the world.''
       In her speech: ``she will deal with the international 
     political climate and deal more with what the U.S. can do and 
     should be doing to bring democracy to Pakistan as well as the 
     strategic importance of the region,'' he said.


                             What she said

       The Register Star asked Benazir Bhutto:
       Is Osama bin Laden dead? ``It's 50-50, and it's anybody's 
     guess. I thought for a while if he was dead, there had to be 
     certain funeral ceremonies done for the soul, but maybe he 
     was killed and nobody knew. He could be playing dead and he 
     could pop in the next five years. But if he's hiding, it 
     would probably be in the mountains of Afghanistan.''
       How the people of Pakistan view the United States: 
     ``Pakistan has mixed feelings toward the U.S. It's like a 
     love-hate relationship. They see it as a land of opportunity 
     and power and to them, they feel they are powerless. They 
     like the power the U.S. has, but they hate their own 
     powerlessness.''
       Have the Pakistani people been treated differently in the 
     United States since the terrorist attacks? ``I have respect 
     largely in the area of academia. I have talked to students 
     who have said Americans came to them and asked `Are you OK?' 
     Other stories I hear from big cities are of hate crimes and 
     of some men who have shaved their beards off in fear of being 
     targeted. But President Bush is right when he says Pakistan 
     is safe here. I hear others say, `We are Americans, and 
     please accept us as the way we are.' ''

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 912.
  Benazir Bhutto was a leader for her people. In 1988, she won the 
first free democratic elections after 20 years of military rule. Not 
only one of the youngest leaders in the world, she became the first 
woman to head an Islamic country. Prime Minister Bhutto pushed for 
equality between men and women through supporting the modernization of 
Pakistan. She built schools around the country and brought electricity 
to rural areas. She pushed housing, hunger, and health care to the top 
of her priority list.
  On October 18, 2007, as she returned to Pakistan from exile in 
London, a failed assassination attempt nearly claimed her life. Despite 
the clear danger to herself if she continued campaigning in Pakistan, 
she chose to stay, firm in her desire to pursue the democratic and 
modernization goals for her country. However, on December 27, 2007, 
terrorists succeeded in their attempts on her life, assassinating 
Benazir Bhutto. Although Bhutto has been silenced, the democratic 
ideals she so fervently fought for will continue to be voiced 
throughout Pakistan. The torch she carried will be borne by her son and 
her many other followers.
  In a world where terrorism has become a pronounced presence, this 
assassination is yet another example of the lengths that terrorists 
will go to achieve their ends. And in a world where the United States 
has vowed to fight terrorism to the bitter end, this resolution is yet 
another example of how we will assist all governments in the fight 
against terrorism. Terrorists everywhere must understand that the world 
will not stand still.
  Although no one can bring back this brilliant leader of the Pakistani 
people, the world must condemn these terrorist activities and promote a 
free and democratic environment in Pakistan, an environment in which 
future great Pakistani leaders will rise from Bhutto's memory and 
continue her successes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I support H. Res. 912, a 
resolution condemning the assassination of former Pakistani Prime 
Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirming the commitment of the United 
States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity 
and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.
  The 27th of December will be remembered as a mournful day for all of 
the people of Pakistan and people of goodwill the world over. My 
deepest sympathies and condolences are with them. As a member of the 
United States Congress' Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I am deeply 
saddened by this dastardly effort to circumvent the democratic process 
which has claimed the life of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir 
Bhutto.
  The assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto is viewed by many 
as an attempt to thwart Pakistan's efforts to help restore stability 
and democracy. Regrettably, since 2001, the security situation in 
Pakistan has grown increasingly unstable. There have been at least six 
assassination attempts against President Pervez Musharraf over the past 
several years.
  Additionally, former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto was the target 
of numerous threats and a previous assassination attempt. In route to a 
rally in Karachi on October 18, 2007, two explosions occurred shortly 
after Bhutto left Jinnah International Airport. She was not injured, 
but the explosions, later found to be a suicide-bomb attack, killed 136 
people and injured at least 450. The dead included at least 50 of the 
security guards from her Pakistan Peoples Party.
  Mrs. Bhutto represented the hopes and aspirations of numerous 
Pakistanis who wished to turn the page on instability and extremism. 
Mrs. Bhutto sought to change Pakistan with a determination that should 
have been challenged with ballots, not bullets and bombs.
  The Pakistani government's decision to request that the United 
Kingdom's Scotland Yard Counter Terrorism Command provide support and 
assistance in the investigation into the murder of Benazir Bhutto will 
not be enough if the Pakistani people want more. It is exceedingly 
important that the people of Pakistan believe that a credible 
transparent investigation is conducted and that all lawful efforts are 
pursued to bring the perpetrators of the atrocious crime to justice. 
One of the best ways to accomplish this is to establish a ``Truth 
Commission'' of a capable, competent, and credible cross section of 
Pakistanis. Additionally, it is of the greatest importance that 
elections be conducted in a fair, transparent and democratic manner 
after considered input about the process from political parties.
  The future of Pakistan will effect our global security. Pro-Taliban 
militants and their al-

[[Page 57]]

Qaeda allies must not find refuge. Homicidal extremists pose a threat 
to Pakistan and its neighbors and must not be allowed to offset the 
winds of democratic change. We in the United States can offer support 
to Pakistan conditioned on free and fair elections along with a 
credible transparent investigation.
  The noble cause of perfecting the democratization of Pakistan is in 
the hands of the people of Pakistan. Although international partners 
can assist in this effort, the future of Pakistan must be hammered out 
by the people of Pakistan.
  Although, this tragic event may call into question the future of 
democracy in Pakistan, people of goodwill in Pakistan, regardless of 
political persuasion, must continue the movement to enhance democratic 
institutions across their nation knowing that freedom, justice, and 
democracy are difficult to achieve.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Having no additional speakers, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 912.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. 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 motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________