[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2294]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE LIVES OF ISIL'S VICTIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2015

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the horrific 
ongoing brutality of ISIL and mourn the senseless loss of life in the 
Middle East.
  Just yesterday, the United States confirmed the death of Kayla 
Mueller, the fourth American to die while a hostage of ISIL. Ms. 
Mueller had dedicated her young life to serving the struggling people 
of Syria as they endure a civil war and violence from many sides.
  In recent weeks, we have also learned of the murder of two Japanese 
citizens, Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa, and Jordanian Air Force Pilot 
Lt. Muath Al-Kaseasbeh. These most recent casualties join American, 
British, and Russian captives as victims of ISIL's deranged ideology. 
All these victims, and their families, will be in our thoughts and 
prayers.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, I was 
especially appalled that ISIL executed the Japanese captives in 
response to Japan pledging non-military aid to support the victims of 
ISIL's terror. Millions of Iraqi and Syrian refugees are in desperate 
need of assistance, and I applaud Japan for standing with the United 
States and a coalition of nations committed to confronting ISIL's 
barbarity.
  The continued murder of foreign captives and the ongoing atrocities 
committed against tens of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians are a stark 
reminder that we cannot allow ISIL to continue unchecked. Instead, as 
international community we must remain united in our resolve to stop 
this evil and help work toward a stable, peaceful Middle East.

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