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 be-
lieved to be the target of the attack;
Whereas on June 14, 2003, the Future TV studio in Leb-
anon, 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 Leb-
anon 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 develop-
ment and post-war reconstruction of Lebanon, attracting
foreign investments from throughout the world;
•HRES 91 EH
Whereas Rafik Hariri founded several philanthropic, humani-
tarian, and educational foundations to provide assistance
to needy individuals;
Whereas Rafik Hariri was respected by the international
community, as exemplified by the international commu-
nity’s support for the Paris II conference on relieving
Lebanon’s debt in November 2002;
Whereas the assassination of Rafik Hariri should not be al-
lowed 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 for-
eign interference;
Whereas in response to the terrorist bombing attack, Presi-
dent George W. Bush stated: ‘‘Mr. Hariri was a fervent
supporter of Lebanese independence, and worked tire-
lessly to rebuild a free, independent, and prosperous Leb-
anon following its brutal civil war and despite its contin-
ued foreign occupation. His murder is an attempt to sti-
fle these efforts to build an independent, sovereign Leb-
anon free of foreign domination.’’; and
Whereas President Bush further stated: ‘‘The people of Leb-
anon deserve the freedom to choose their leaders free of
intimidation, terror, and foreign occupation, in accord-
ance 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 ter-
rorist 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
•HRES 91 EH
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 intimida-
tion, terror, and foreign occupation in accordance with
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559
(2004); and
(5) urges all members of the international commu-
nity to facilitate any investigation into this terrorist at-
tack and help bring the perpetrators to justice.
Attest:
Clerk.