H. Res. 91

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

February 17, 2005.

Whereas on February 14, 2005, a bomb exploded in Beirut,

Lebanon, killing at least 15 people, including Rafik

Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, and wounding

at least 100 people;

Whereas Rafik Hariri, a leader and public servant, was believed to be the target of the attack;

Whereas on June 14, 2003, the Future TV studio in Lebanon, which is owned by Rafik Hariri, was targeted by

a rocket attack;

Whereas Rafik Hariri, born into a humble family in Sidon,

Lebanon, on November 1, 1944, became a successful

businessman and politician who served the people of Lebanon in numerous roles;

Whereas Rafik Hariri contributed to the mediation between

Lebanese militias during the Lebanese civil war and was

a primary architect of the 1989 Taif Accords, which put

an end to the Lebanese civil war;

Whereas Rafik Hariri contributed to the economic development and post-war reconstruction of Lebanon, attracting

foreign investments from throughout the world;
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Whereas Rafik Hariri founded several philanthropic, humanitarian, and educational foundations to provide assistance

to needy individuals;

Whereas Rafik Hariri was respected by the international

community, as exemplified by the international community’s support for the Paris II conference on relieving

Lebanon’s debt in November 2002;

Whereas the assassination of Rafik Hariri should not be allowed to discourage participation and open debate in

Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary elections, which the

United States expects to take place in the spring of 2005

as scheduled and be credible, democratic, and free of foreign interference;

Whereas in response to the terrorist bombing attack, President George W. Bush stated: ‘‘Mr. Hariri was a fervent

supporter of Lebanese independence, and worked tirelessly to rebuild a free, independent, and prosperous Lebanon following its brutal civil war and despite its continued foreign occupation. His murder is an attempt to stifle these efforts to build an independent, sovereign Lebanon free of foreign domination.’’; and

Whereas President Bush further stated: ‘‘The people of Lebanon deserve the freedom to choose their leaders free of

intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559. The

United States will consult with other governments in the

region and on the Security Council today about measures

that can be taken to punish those responsible for this terrorist attack, to end the use of violence and intimidation

against the Lebanese people, and to restore Lebanon’s

independence, sovereignty, and democracy by freeing it

from foreign occupation.’’: Now, therefore, be it
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Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the

terrorist bombing attack that occurred on February 14,

2005, in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former Lebanese

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and killed and wounded

others;

(2) extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to

the families of all the victims in this terrorist attack and

to the people of Lebanon in this moment of tragedy;

(3) recognizes the significant contributions made by

Rafik Hariri during his lifetime;

(4) reaffirms the right of the people of Lebanon to

choose their leaders in a manner that is free of intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation in accordance with

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559

(2004); and

(5) urges all members of the international community to facilitate any investigation into this terrorist attack and help bring the perpetrators to justice.

Attest:

Clerk.