SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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29–975PDF
2006
COMMENDING THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ITS
EFFORTS IN THE WAR ON TERROR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE AND
EMERGING THREATS
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
H. Res. 989
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
Serial No. 109–208
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey,
Vice Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
RON PAUL, Texas
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DARRELL ISSA, California
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
MIKE PENCE, Indiana
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida
JOE WILSON, South Carolina
JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina
CONNIE MACK, Florida
JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska
MICHAEL McCAUL, Texas
TED POE, Texas
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
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WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California
ADAM SMITH, Washington
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota
BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky
DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California
RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri
THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director
Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
ELTON GALLEGLY, California, Chairman
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
PETER T. KING, New York, Vice Chairman
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
DARRELL ISSA, California
TED POE, Texas
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J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
RICHARD MEREU, Subcommittee Staff Director
JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member
PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member
BEVERLY RAZON, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
MARKUP OF
H. Res. 989, Commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes
COMMENDING THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE WAR ON TERROR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
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House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:24 p.m. in room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ethan Gallegly (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. GALLEGLY. I call to order the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats, and pursuant to notice I would call up House Resolution 989 for purposes of markup and move its immediate recommendation to the Full Committee. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for an amendment at any point.
Today, the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats is marking up one item, House Resolution 989. Immediately following the markup we will proceed with the Subcommittee's hearing on developments in Serbia.
House Resolution 989, which commends the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, was introduced by Congressman Poe. I commend my colleague and friend, Mr. Poe, for his work on this timely legislation and strongly support its passage.
[H. Res. 989 follows:]
[Note: Image(s) not available in this format. See PDF version of this file.]
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Mr. GALLEGLY. As the Chairman of this Subcommittee and as a Member of the Intelligence Committee, I know firsthand the great work being undertaken by Britain to destroy terrorist networks and foil terrorist plots. I am also aware, as is mentioned in this resolution, of the excellent cooperation between the American and British intelligence communities.
The resolution focuses on the outstanding work of the law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom in preventing the planned terrorist attack that would have blown up in midair multiple trans-Atlantic flights from London to the United States. This plot was thwarted by British police and intelligence officials on August 10 of this year with the arrest of 24 people.
In addition, House Resolution 989 cites terrorism as a grave concern for all nations, regardless of boundaries, as terrorist attacks have killed innocent people in countries such as Indonesia, Turkey, India and, of course, the United Kingdom and, here, in the United States.
Britain has been a close, long-time friend of the United States, and now they are standing with us in the War on Terrorism. It is entirely appropriate for this Committee and the House to recognize their friendship and their contribution to this war.
Again, I would like to commend my good friend, Ted Poe, for introducing this measure, and I urge its passage.
At this point I would recognize my friend from Florida, the Ranking Member, Mr. Wexler, for purposes of a statement.
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Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Gallegly, I want to most especially associate myself with your comments and join you in strong support of House Resolution 989, commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror.
It goes without saying that the U.K. has been America's staunchest ally in the War on Terror and continues to play a critical role in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I especially want to point out Great Britain's critical role in Afghanistan as part of the NATO forces and along with the British forces throughout battling the Taliban and the al-Qaeda terrorists.
While many of our NATO allies have not participated at an appropriate level and is causing great strain in the NATO relationship, it is very important and timely to point out that London, under the leadership of Tony Blair, has always been ready to answer the calls of NATO commanders and meet its commitments to the people of Afghanistan, in particular, who are trying to rebuild their nation.
I think this resolution comes at a particularly important time in that Great Britain has experienced heavy casualties over the past month, including the loss of 14 of its very best after a Royal Air Force aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan earlier this month. This incident, I believe, is the single biggest loss of British troops in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and of course we would all be remiss if we do not express our deepest sympathies to the families of these soldiers.
Once again, Mr. Chairman, I join you in strongly supporting this important resolution and urge everyone to support it.
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Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you, Rob.
I would recognize the sponsor of this legislation, our good friend from Texas, Mr. Poe.
Mr. POE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It has been 5 years since Americans and the world watched in shock and anger as the Twin Towers fell and the Pentagon burned. Since that day there have been constant reminders that a world war is waiting to determine whether life and liberty can overcome hatred and tyranny.
The war is being fought on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but battles are also taking place in other less-publicized locations. As American soldiers and British soldiers dodge IEDs, intelligence and law enforcement communities around the world work to prevent another 9/11 occurrence somewhere in the world.
As we know all too well, failures of intelligence result in very public and devastating results. We have seen bombings in England and Spain and India. However, we have also seen significant victories as these plots have been thwarted.
Last month, United Kingdom authorities foiled a terrorist plot to detonate explosives on several trans-Atlantic flights coming to the United States. This plan, had it been carried out, would have resulted in the death of at least 700 people from all countries.
Because of the professionalism and competence of the British law enforcement and intelligence officials, many fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers are able to return to their families.
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It is vital that we remain vigilant in the Global War on Terror, and it is also important we honor the success of those who fight alongside the United States in this effort. The United Kingdom, who is with us in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world, deserves praise from our Congress for their actions. They have and continue to be our greatest ally, and we must commend them for their longstanding allegiance to freedom.
Winston Churchill said that the United States and the British are two countries separated by a common language, but we are united on this War on Terror.
I yield back.
Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you very much. Are there any amendments to the resolution?
[No response.]
Mr. GALLEGLY. Hearing no requests, the question occurs on the motion to report the resolution, H. Res. 989, favorably.
All in favor will say aye.
[Chorus of ayes.]
Mr. GALLEGLY. All opposed will say no.
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[No response.]
Mr. GALLEGLY. The motion is approved, and the resolution is reported favorably.
The staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
[Whereupon, at 1:30 p.m. the Subcommittee was adjourned.]