[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 598--EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF ABDUL-
 RAHMAN PETER KASSIG AND CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ACTS OF THE ISLAMIC 
                      STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT

  Mr. DONNELLY (for himself and Mr. Coats) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 598

       Whereas Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig was a tireless 
     humanitarian who devoted his life to helping those most in 
     need;
       Whereas Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig saved lives across 
     Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria, particularly through the 
     nongovernmental organization he founded, Special Emergency 
     Response and Assistance;
       Whereas Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig represented the best 
     qualities of humanity through his work administering medical 
     aid, food and shelter to the people most impacted by the war 
     in Syria;
       Whereas Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig served with honor as a 
     United States Army Ranger;
       Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (referred 
     to in this preamble as ``ISIL'') is a terrorist organization 
     that has committed widespread acts of violence against 
     innocent civilians throughout Iraq and Syria, forcing many 
     people to flee their homeland;
       Whereas ISIL has carried out grave atrocities targeting 
     Muslims and religious and ethnic minorities in the region, 
     including women and children, for enslavement, torture, and 
     massacre;
       Whereas ISIL has captured and assassinated journalists and 
     humanitarian and health workers, deepening the suffering of a 
     war-torn region;
       Whereas ISIL is responsible for the murder of United States 
     citizens; and
       Whereas ISIL continues to hold hostages in contravention of 
     international law: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

       The Senate--
       (1) mourns the death of Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig;
       (2) expresses condolences to the family and loved ones of 
     Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig;
       (3) condemns the terrorist acts by the Islamic State of 
     Iraq and the Levant (referred to in this resolution as 
     ``ISIL''), including the targeting of innocent civilians, 
     journalists, and aid workers; and
       (4) urges the United States and the international 
     community, working in partnership with the governments and 
     citizens of the Middle East, to address the threat posed by 
     ISIL and the suffering of innocent civilians impacted by the 
     conflict.

     SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this resolution is a declaration of war or 
     authorization to use force.

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