IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 763
Condemning the terrorist attack at Middle School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, 
that occurred in early September 2004. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on International Relations 
RESOLUTION 
Condemning the terrorist attack at Middle School No. 1 
in Beslan, Russia, that occurred in early September 2004.
Whereas on September 1, 2004, terrorists seized Middle 
School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, and held more than 
1,000 children, teachers, parents, and school employees 
hostage for 53 hours; 
Whereas Russian security forces stormed the school com-
pound after the hostage-takers began firing on hostages 
who were attempting to flee and set off explosions in the 
compound; 
Whereas as of September 9, 2004, the official death toll stood 
at 394 individuals, including 30 terrorists, and 186 chil-
dren are still missing;
•HRES 763 IH 
Whereas the health ministry for the North Ossetian region of 
Russia stated that 156 of the individuals killed in the at-
tack were children; 
Whereas more than 700 individuals needed medical assistance 
after the crisis; 
Whereas the North Ossetian health ministry stated that 411 
individuals remain hospitalized, of which 214 are chil-
dren; 
Whereas Beslan’s school hostage drama came shortly after at 
least 10 people died in a suicide attack on a Moscow 
metro station and a week after approximately 90 people 
were killed when 2 Russian airliners exploded in mid-air; 
Whereas the modus operandi of the Beslan hostage takers is 
similar to that used by the hostage takers at a Moscow 
theater in October 2002; 
Whereas it is the nature of terrorism that every time one 
thinks there is a limit to the depths to which terrorists 
can sink, they contrive even more inhumane atrocities; 
and 
Whereas there is absolutely no justification for such terrorist 
acts, which do not represent the will of the people of 
Chechnya, who want the carnage in the Caucasus region 
to cease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) offers its deepest sympathy to the relatives 
and loved ones of the victims of the terrorist attack 
on Middle School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, in early 
September 2004;
•HRES 763 IH 
(2) mourns the innocent lives that have been 
lost in such attack; 
(3) stands with the people of the Russian Fed-
eration and offers its prayers in this terrible situa-
tion; 
(4) expresses its particular revulsion at the use 
of children as hostages and the subsequent death of 
many of such children; 
(5) condemns in the strongest terms this ter-
rorist attack and previous terrorist attacks against 
innocent citizens of the Russian Federation; and 
(6) expresses its solidarity with the people and 
Government of the Russian Federation in combating 
the forces of international terrorism.
Æ
•HRES 763 IH 
Whereas the health ministry for the North Ossetian region of 
Russia stated that 156 of the individuals killed in the at-
tack were children; 
Whereas more than 700 individuals needed medical assistance 
after the crisis; 
Whereas the North Ossetian health ministry stated that 411 
individuals remain hospitalized, of which 214 are chil-
dren; 
Whereas Beslan’s school hostage drama came shortly after at 
least 10 people died in a suicide attack on a Moscow 
metro station and a week after approximately 90 people 
were killed when 2 Russian airliners exploded in mid-air; 
Whereas the modus operandi of the Beslan hostage takers is 
similar to that used by the hostage takers at a Moscow 
theater in October 2002; 
Whereas it is the nature of terrorism that every time one 
thinks there is a limit to the depths to which terrorists 
can sink, they contrive even more inhumane atrocities; 
and 
Whereas there is absolutely no justification for such terrorist 
acts, which do not represent the will of the people of 
Chechnya, who want the carnage in the Caucasus region 
to cease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) offers its deepest sympathy to the relatives 
and loved ones of the victims of the terrorist attack 
on Middle School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, in early 
September 2004;
•HRES 763 IH 
(2) mourns the innocent lives that have been 
lost in such attack; 
(3) stands with the people of the Russian Fed-
eration and offers its prayers in this terrible situa-
tion; 
(4) expresses its particular revulsion at the use 
of children as hostages and the subsequent death of 
many of such children; 
(5) condemns in the strongest terms this ter-
rorist attack and previous terrorist attacks against 
innocent citizens of the Russian Federation; and 
(6) expresses its solidarity with the people and 
Government of the Russian Federation in combating 
the forces of international terrorism.
Æ