July 13, 2016: The U.S. House of Representatives passed HouseResolution 823, condemning in the strongest terms the June 28 terroristattack at the Istanbul airport, which resulted in the loss of at least 44 lives.
The resolution was co-sponsored by the four co-chairs of theCongressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans:Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th), Ed Whitfield (R-KY/1st),Gerry Connolly (D-VA/11th), and Steve Cohen (D-TN/9th).
In the House ofRepresentatives, U. S.,
July 13, 2016.
Whereas, on June 28,2016, suicide bombers attacked the Ataturk International Airport in IstanbulTurkey, opened fire and detonated explosives, resulting in the loss of at least44 innocent lives and severely wounding over 200, including an Americancitizen;
Whereas Turkish firstresponders and law enforcement reacted swiftly and heroically, caring for thewounded and taking immediate actions to prevent subsequent attacks and furtherloss of innocent life;
Whereas the White Houseissued a statement condemning the attack “in the strongest possible terms” andstates that “We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO Ally andpartner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as wecontinue to confront the threat of terrorism”;
Whereas the Government ofTurkey has stated militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) areresponsible for the attack, and this attack resembles those carried out by ISISin other parts of the world;
Whereas the loss ofinnocent lives in Istanbul strengthens our shared resolve to defeat ISIS andits terrorist affiliates, which pose a growing threat to international peaceand stability;
Whereas Turkey is alongstanding member of NATO and has played a crucial role in transatlanticsecurity since joining the alliance more than half a century ago; and
Whereas we stand insolidarity with the people of Turkey in their time of national mourning, readyto provide assistance in bringing to justice all those involved with theplanning and execution of these attacks, as well as identifying and disruptingany plans to undertake similar assaults in the future: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House ofRepresentatives—
(1) condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks inIstanbul, Turkey, on June 28, 2016, that resulted in the loss of at least 44lives;
(2) expresses its condolences to the families and friends ofthose individuals who were killed in the attacks and expresses its sympathiesto those individuals who have been injured;
(3) supports efforts to bring to justice those involved with theplanning and execution of these terrorist attacks; and
(4) declares that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)poses a fundamental security threat to the United States and our allies.
