[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14139-14140]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1538) condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist 
attacks in Kampala, Uganda, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1538

       Whereas, on July 11, 2010, terrorists allegedly associated 
     with the Somalia-based al Shabaab terrorist organization 
     carried out multiple suicide attacks against civilian targets 
     in the city of Kampala, Uganda;
       Whereas Nate ``Oteka'' Henn, a United States citizen and 
     committed volunteer of Invisible Children Inc., a nonprofit 
     organization based in San Diego, California, and at least 70 
     other civilians were killed in the attack;
       Whereas al Shabaab was designated as a foreign terrorist 
     organization under section 219 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act and as a specially designated global 
     terrorist under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 on 
     February 26, 2008;
       Whereas the attacks for which al Shabaab has claimed 
     responsibility, were allegedly in retaliation for the 
     presence of Ugandan peacekeeping forces contributing to the 
     African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM);
       Whereas Uganda currently has 3,400 peacekeeping troops 
     deployed to Somalia in support of AMISOM and reportedly has 
     committed to deploying an additional 2,000 troops; and
       Whereas it is in the interest of the United States and the 
     international community to support efforts in Somalia to 
     achieve lasting peace, democracy, rule of law, respect for 
     human rights, and to eradicate extremism and terrorism from 
     Somalia and the region: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Kampala, 
     Uganda, on July 11, 2010;
       (2) encourages the Administration to help Ugandan and 
     Somali authorities bring those responsible for these attacks 
     to justice;
       (3) expresses its condolences to the families of Nate 
     ``Oteka'' Henn and all the victims of these attacks;
       (4) strongly condemns al Shabaab's destabilizing role in 
     Somalia and the region;
       (5) recognizes the contributions of Uganda's peacekeeping 
     efforts in Somalia; and
       (6) calls on the Administration to work with the 
     international community to address the security threat 
     emanating from Somalia.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Ms. Berkley) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. 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 
gentlewoman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On July 11, 2010, bombs ripped through a crowd gathered in Kampala, 
Uganda to watch the World Cup finals. The Somali terrorist group al-
Shabaab claimed responsibility for these cowardly attacks which killed 
at least 70 innocent civilians. Among those was one American, Nate 
``Oteka'' Henn, a committed volunteer with the San Diego-based NGO 
Invisible Children. Dozens of others were injured in the blast, 
including several members of a Pennsylvania church group. The 
perpetrators of the attacks claim they were in retaliation for Uganda 
sending peacekeeping troops to participate in the African Union Mission 
in Somalia, or AMISOM.
  Uganda currently has 3,400 troops deployed to Somalia in support of 
AMISOM and has pledged to deploy an additional 2,000 troops.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States and our allies must support efforts by 
the Somali people and the African Union to achieve lasting peace, rule 
of law, democracy, and respect for human rights in Somalia. We must 
work together to eradicate extremism and terrorism from Somalia and the 
entire region and to counter the destabilizing influence of radical 
groups like al-Shabaab.
  I would also like to thank my good friend from California (Mrs. 
Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, House Resolution 
1538, which condemns the deadly suicide attacks that took place in 
Kampala, Uganda on July 11, 2010.
  In the past, some Members have questioned the accuracy of reported 
links between al Qaeda and al-Shabaab insurgents. Some claim that it is 
operationally focused solely upon Somalia and, thus, poses no tangible 
threat to Americans, our allies, or our interests. Unfortunately, the 
attacks that rocked Uganda on July 11, 2010 provided indisputable 
evidence that those assumptions were dangerously wrong. Scores were 
killed, including an American who worked with the advocacy group 
Invisible Children.
  This senseless act of violence should serve as a wake-up call to U.S. 
officials on the need to vigorously address the threat of Islamist 
extremism wherever it lurks, which extends far beyond the Middle East. 
Many more lives are at stake.
  The 1998 East Africa Embassy attacks exposed, and the July 11 Kampala 
attacks affirmed, that the United States cannot afford to ignore the 
activities of extremist groups in Africa as they attempt to expand 
their influence to bolster their ranks and spread their dangerous 
ideology. We must work vigilantly and cooperatively with other 
responsible nations to disrupt the operations of extremist groups and 
hold accountable their regional sponsors.
  Over 18 months ago, Mr. Speaker, I introduced a resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 16, which brings sorely needed attention to the threat of Islamist 
extremism in Africa. It is alarming that even after these tragic 
attacks I have not been able to get the majority to bring this 
resolution to the floor.
  I understand that Attorney General Holder is currently in Uganda 
attending the African Union Summit, attempting to impress upon the AU 
heads of state the imperative of confronting violent extremists on the 
continent. He is highlighting many of the issues that I have been 
attempting to address for 1\1/2\ years. Isn't it time for this body to 
take this threat seriously?
  So, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to consider H. Con. Res. 16 
while supporting this important resolution before us, House Resolution 
1538.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from California, an esteemed Member of Congress, Mrs. Susan 
Davis.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
House Resolution 1538, and I want to thank Chairman Berman for bringing 
my resolution to the floor.
  As the world watched the World Cup finals on July 11, terrorists 
launched suicide attacks against innocent men and women in the city of 
Kampala, Uganda. At least 70 people tragically died in those blasts, 
one of whom was a 25-year-old American, Nate ``Oteka'' Henn.
  This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Kampala, recognizes 
the important role Uganda plays in the African Union Mission in 
Somalia, and sends a message to our allies that the United States 
stands by our strategic partners. It also highlights the urgent need 
for the United States to work with the international community to 
address the root causes of extremism and terrorism in East Africa. And 
finally, this resolution honors Nate

[[Page 14140]]

``Oteka'' Henn and all of the victims of this tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, Nate was a committed volunteer for Invisible Children, 
Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego. That 
organization works to shed light on the grim reality that is faced by 
many Ugandans, particularly the children who are abducted and forced to 
become child soldiers there. Nate was a beloved and hardworking part of 
this cause, whether at the helm of an Invisible Children van as a 
member of the team of ``roadies'' or as an effective and heartfelt 
fundraiser who helped send Ugandan students to school. From what I now 
know of Nate's innate warmth, humor, and determination, it's no 
surprise that he was given the name ``Oteka,'' which means ``the strong 
one,'' by his Ugandan friends, a name he proudly tattooed on his right 
arm.
  Responsibility for the attack that killed Nate and the dozens of 
other innocent men and women in Uganda has been claimed by the Somalia-
based al-Shabaab terrorist organization. Al-Shabaab has justified the 
deadly violence on Uganda's 3,400-troop contribution to the African 
Union Mission in Somalia. But al-Shabaab, which means ``the youth,'' 
also chose its targets to send a message to Somalis around the world, a 
message designed to help tighten its control in Somalia and recruit 
young men into its ranks, including young men from many of the 
districts we represent.

                              {time}  1310

  Nate Henn's life, on quite the other hand, and the work of groups 
like Invisible Children send a far different message to the youth of 
Africa, a message that is one of promise and hope rather than of war.
  Today, Congress can help reinforce that message by showing that the 
American people stand side by side with those who strive to make the 
future brighter for Africa's youth while at the same time telling 
groups like al-Shabaab that we will not ignore atrocities committed 
against civilians or our allies.
  I hope, Mr. Speaker, that all of my colleagues will support this 
important resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1538, 
condemning the July 11 terrorist attacks in Uganda, which claimed over 
70 lives, including an American citizen, and Delawarean, Nate Henn.
  Nate was in Uganda working as a volunteer for Invisible Children, a 
group dedicated to ending the practice of child soldiers in war. Nate 
left University of Delaware in 2008 and had been working with Invisible 
Children ever since. The tribes he worked with nicknamed him ``Oteka,'' 
which means ``The Strong One'' and from all the accounts of his work 
that I have read, he was more than deserving of that name.
  This coordinated terrorist attack was both brutal and targeted, 
taking place in areas of Kampala where many Ugandans and others 
gathered to watch the World Cup games. This resolution rightfully calls 
on the administration to work with the international community to 
address the security threat emanating from Somali, particularly the al 
Shabaab terrorist network, which claimed responsibility for these 
vicious attacks. I am hopeful that we can work together with the 
international community to eliminate extremism and promote stability 
and peace in Somalia, and throughout the region.
  As a cosponsor of H. Res. 1538, I strongly support this measure and 
urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the July 11 terrorist 
attacks and honoring the victims, particularly Nate Henn.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 1538, which condemns the terrorist attacks that took place on July 
11, 2010, in Kampala, Uganda. This terrorist behavior is simply 
unacceptable and our nation must express our disapproval of the 
responsible parties who committed these horrible attacks.
  Mr. Speaker, the situation in East Africa is grave. Unfortunately, 
the situation isn't getting any better either, given that this is the 
worst terrorist attack that this region has witnessed since 1998. The 
responsible party for these horrifying terrorist attacks is the hard-
line Somali militant group, al-Shabab. Even more frightening is the 
fact that this group has threatened further attacks, if Uganda and 
Burundi continue to supply troops to an African Union peacekeeping 
force in Somalia. This continued threat of terrorist attacks is not 
only a dire concern in this area of East Africa, but also for our 
nation. Uganda, a key U.S. ally, is also a training ground for soldiers 
for Somalia's transitional government, the government which al-Shabab 
is seeking to overthrow. Both the United States and the United Kingdom 
support this mission. Consequently, we have responsibility to support 
and protect the peacekeeping forces that are working to provide 
stability in Somalia. In order for strength to be restored in the 
failing state of Somalia and the surrounding countries like Uganda, we 
must also find a way to remove the terrorist group al-Shabab from its 
destabilizing role.
  Mr. Speaker, as the trend in globalization continues to increase, the 
connections among nations become more and more intertwined. Therefore, 
as Representatives of Congress, we must pass this resolution to call on 
our administration to work with the international community to address 
the security threat emanating from Somalia. This will hopefully ensure 
that this violence doesn't overspill more into other nations.
  Again, I fully support this resolution and I urge my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1538, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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