[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18093]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST FRANCE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, as the Senate convenes today, the world 
faces yet another horrific terrorist act, this time against America's 
oldest ally, France. Across our great Nation, Americans have displayed 
the French flag across buildings, monuments, and Facebook pages in 
solidarity with France, a country with which we have long shared 
democratic values.
  We, too, have felt the searing shock and pain of terrorism on our own 
soil, and just as France stood with us after the 9/11 attacks, we stand 
with France today. I personally express my condolences for those in 
France who lost a loved one. To the mothers, fathers, grandparents, 
children, friends, and relatives, we mourn with you. To all those in 
the midst of caring for loved ones, those injured in these evil 
attacks--as hundreds were--our hearts and our thoughts are with you.
  There are no words to adequately describe the barbarism of ISIS, the 
organization that carried out this attack and mowed down innocent 
civilians enjoying the freedom and beauty of a Paris night, but as we 
know, the attacks in Paris do not stand alone. ISIS has viciously 
attacked innocent people in Beirut, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and other 
places. They have beheaded Americans, beheaded others, instituted a 
policy of rape and violence against women, and are attempting to take 
civilization back to the Dark Ages. ISIS does not worship Islam. ISIS 
worships death. ISIS doesn't practice compassion and mercy. ISIS 
practices killing, torture, and violence. Instead of guiding its 
followers on the straight and narrow path, ISIS guides them to hate.
  As Pope Francis said yesterday:

       The road of violence and hate does not resolve the problems 
     of humanity. Using God's name to justify this path is 
     blasphemy.

  The Pope is right.
  Law-abiding Muslims--many of whom have also been innocent victims of 
terror--must not allow these radicals to be the face of their religion. 
We cannot allow it. They cannot allow it. I know I speak for the Senate 
in saying we are all committed to stopping ISIS. We are united in 
supporting France in every possible way, as the people of France move 
forward after these attacks.
  I repeat, as the Pope said yesterday:

       The road of violence and hate does not resolve the problems 
     of humanity. Using God's name to justify this path is 
     blasphemy.

  Will the Chair announce today's business.

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