I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5500
To require the Attorney General to establish an office in the Department
of Justice to monitor acts of international terrorism alleged to have
been committed by Palestinian individuals or individuals acting on behalf
of Palestinian organizations and to carry out certain other related activi-
ties.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 19, 2000
Mr. ANDREWS (for himself, Mr. WEINER, and Mr. BENTSEN) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To require the Attorney General to establish an office in
the Department of Justice to monitor acts of inter-
national terrorism alleged to have been committed by
Palestinian individuals or individuals acting on behalf
of Palestinian organizations and to carry out certain
other related activities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Justice for American
Victims of Terrorism Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Since 1948, many United States citizens
have been injured or killed in terrorist attacks com-
mitted by Palestinian individuals and organizations
in and outside of the Middle East.
(2) Under United States law, individuals who
commit acts of international terrorism outside of the
United States against nationals of the United States
may be prosecuted for such acts in the United
States.
(3) The United States has taken a special inter-
est and active role in resolving the Israeli-Pales-
tinian conflict, including numerous diplomatic efforts
to facilitate a resolution of the conflict and the pro-
vision of financial assistance to Palestinian organiza-
tions.
(4) However, despite these diplomatic efforts
and financial assistance, little has been done to ap-
prehend, indict, prosecute, and convict Palestinian
individuals who have committed terrorist attacks
against nationals of the United States.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE TO MONITOR TERRORIST ACTS
BY PALESTINIAN INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANI-
ZATIONS AND CARRY OUT RELATED ACTIVI-
TIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General shall estab-
lish within the Department of Justice an office to carry
out the following activities:
(1) Monitor acts of international terrorism al-
leged to have been committed by Palestinian individ-
uals or individuals acting on behalf of Palestinian
organizations.
(2) Collect information against individuals al-
leged to have committed acts of international ter-
rorism described in paragraph (1).
(3) Offer rewards for information on individuals
alleged to have committed acts of international ter-
rorism described in paragraph (1), including the dis-
semination of information relating to such rewards
in the Arabic-language media.
(4) Negotiate with the Palestinian Authority or
related entities to obtain financial compensation for
nationals of the United States, or their families, in-
jured or killed by acts of terrorism described in
paragraph (1).
(5) In conjunction with other appropriate Fed-
eral departments and agencies, establish and imple-
ment alternative methods to apprehend, indict, pros-
ecute, and convict individuals who commit acts of
terrorism described in paragraph (1).
(6) Contact the families of victims of acts of
terrorism described in paragraph (1) and provide
updates on the progress to apprehend, indict, pros-
ecute, and convict the individuals who commit such
acts.
(7) In order to effectively carry out paragraphs
(1) through (6), provide for the permanent sta-
tioning of an appropriate number of United States
officials in Israel, in territory administered by Israel,
in territory administered by the Palestinian Author-
ity, and elsewhere, to the extent practicable.
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘inter-
national terrorism’’ has the meaning given such term in
section 2331(1) of title 18, United States Code.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2001 and each subsequent fiscal
year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.