III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 538 

Expressing the condolences of the Senate to the families of James Foley 

and Steven Sotloff, and condemning the terrorist acts of the Islamic 

State of Iraq and the Levant. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 

Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. NELSON, Mr. RUBIO, and Mr. 

MENENDEZ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 

and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the condolences of the Senate to the families 

of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and condemning the 

terrorist acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. 

Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff were highly respected journalists whose integrity and dedication were a 

credit to their profession; 

Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff embodied the spirit 

of our Nation’s First Amendment liberties, including the 

freedom of the press; 

Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff made significant 

contributions to our Nation through their courageous reporting of events in Libya, Syria, and elsewhere; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 538 ATS 

Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is 

a terrorist organization responsible for committing barbaric acts against United States citizens; 

Whereas ISIL continues to hold hostages in blatant contravention of international law; 

Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence 

against Iraqi Christians, forcing many to flee their ancient homeland; 

Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence 

against Muslims who do not subscribe to ISIL’s depraved, violent, and oppressive ideology; 

Whereas ISIL has threatened to decimate the ancient Yazidi 

population of Iraq while abducting Yazidi women and 

children and subjecting them to rape, forced marriage, 

and slavery; 

Whereas ISIL has targeted many other religious and ethnic 

minority groups, including Turkmen populations; and 

Whereas ISIL threatens to conduct terrorist attacks internationally: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, 

2 SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE. 

3 The Senate— 

4 (1) strongly condemns the terrorist acts of 

5 ISIL, including the barbaric and deplorable murders 

6 of James Foley and Steven Sotloff; 

7 (2) mourns the deaths of James Foley and Ste8 ven Sotloff and expresses its condolences to their 

9 families; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 538 ATS 

1 (3) salutes James Foley and Steven Sotloff for 

2 their unwavering and courageous pursuit of journal3 istic excellence under the most difficult and dan4 gerous of conditions; 

5 (4) supports efforts to vigorously pursue and 

6 bring to justice those responsible for the murders of 

7 James Foley and Steven Sotloff; 

8 (5) demands the immediate and unconditional 

9 release of all hostages being held by ISIL; and 

10 (6) calls on the United States and the inter11 national community, working in partnership with the 

12 governments and citizens of the Middle East, to ad13 dress the threat posed by ISIL. 

14 SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 

15 Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as a dec16 laration of war or authorization to use force. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS