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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 389 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 389

   Congratulating the Republic of Colombia on its successful rescue 
  mission and thanking Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for the safe 
return of the Americans held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces 
                              of Colombia.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 9, 2008

Mr. Brady of Texas (for himself, Mr. Weller of Illinois, Mr. Blunt, Ms. 
 Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. McCrery, Mr. Herger, and Mr. Dreier) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                            Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
   Congratulating the Republic of Colombia on its successful rescue 
  mission and thanking Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for the safe 
return of the Americans held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces 
                              of Colombia.

Whereas the Government of Colombia carried out a historic rescue mission on July 
        2, 2008, freeing 15 hostages kidnapped and held in captivity by the 
        Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a group the Department of 
        State has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization;
Whereas this mission was carried out without any violence;
Whereas the 3 freed American hostages, Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell, and 
        Thomas Howes, were held in captivity since 2003;
Whereas the release of former Colombian presidential candidate and senator 
        Ingrid Betancourt and 11 Colombian hostages has brought hope and joy to 
        Colombians and the French;
Whereas the United States supports Colombia's efforts to eradicate narcotics 
        trade and terrorist activity in Colombia, and strengthen its democratic 
        institutions to pave the way for peace;
Whereas the United States has provided significant security assistance and 
        training for the Colombian security forces through Plan Colombia;
Whereas such United States assistance aided the Colombian military in preparing 
        for the rescue mission; and
Whereas the FARC reportedly still holds more than 700 hostages in captivity: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) congratulates the Republic of Colombia on the 
        successful rescue mission that resulted in the freeing of 15 
        hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia 
        (FARC), without any loss of life;
            (2) commends the Colombian military for its careful 
        planning of the mission and the brave Colombian soldiers who 
        executed the dramatic rescue;
            (3) offers its deepest thanks and gratitude to President 
        Alvaro Uribe and the people of Colombia for the safe return of 
        the 3 American hostages, Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and 
        Keith Stansell;
            (4) recognizes the close friendship between the United 
        States and the Republic of Colombia; and
            (5) remembers the remaining hostages in captivity and calls 
        upon the FARC to release all remaining hostages and cease 
        hostilities immediately, without condition.
                                 <all>
```