H. Res. 523

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

October 10, 1998.

Whereas on August 7, 1998, 254 people, 12 of whom were

United States citizens, were killed when a bomb exploded

at the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and 9

people were killed when a bomb exploded at the United

States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;

Whereas these bombs were detonated minutes apart and were

clearly coordinated;

Whereas in both cases trucks, driven by suicidal terrorists

and loaded with explosives, approached the embassies but

were diverted from attacking their primary targets by

quick thinking Embassy security staff;

Whereas the bombs did explode, injuring thousands of innocent civilians and destroying millions of dollars worth of

local property;

Whereas the Governments of Israel and France immediately

sent search and rescue teams to aid in the aftermath of

the bombings;

Whereas on August 7, 1998, Pakistani police arrested suspect Muhammad Sadiq Odeh, who confessed to being

part of a team which was orchestrated and financed by

Osama bin Laden; and
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Whereas Osama bin Laden, an exiled Saudi Arabian businessman who is believed to be currently living in Afghanistan, is a known sponsor of international terrorism

against secular Middle Eastern regimes and has publicly

stated his support for attacks against American influence, Americans, and American targets: Now, therefore,

be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) expresses the deep condolences of the House of

Representatives and the American people to the families

of all persons killed or injured in the bombing;

(2) expresses our dismay for the mayhem and destruction visited upon the Governments and people of

Kenya and Tanzania;

(3) expresses gratitude to the people and the Governments of Kenya and Tanzania for their assistance to

the people and the property of the United States in the

aftermath of the bombings;

(4) expresses our gratitude to the United States

Embassy guards whose quick thinking and heroic actions

prevented even more deaths and injuries;

(5) expresses our gratitude to the people and the

Governments of Israel, France, the United Kingdom,

Germany, Japan, Australia, and South Africa, as well as

the many private organizations which volunteered to assist the United States in the aftermath of the bombings;
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(6) expresses our gratitude to United States personnel for their dedication in serving abroad and promoting

United States interests and courageously assuming the

risks of living and working overseas;

(7) expresses our gratitude to United States Federal and local agencies which assisted in the aftermath

of the bombings;

(8) expresses our condemnation of all persons and

parties involved in the outrageous and illegal attacks

which resulted in the tragic loss of life of so many Americans, Kenyans, Tanzanians, and others;

(9) expresses the determination of the House of

Representatives to assist, in any way possible, in the arrest of all persons responsible for these attacks; and

(10) expresses the intention of the House of Representatives to examine whether security needs of United

States facilities overseas are being met and what kinds

of tools can be employed to discourage nations from harboring terrorists.

Attest:

Clerk.