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July 27, 2005
Rahall Part of Congressional Delegation Offering Condolences in London
By HNN Staff
London, England (HNN) - A six-member bipartisan delegation from the United
States House of Representatives Tuesday, July 26, 2005 met with British
Prime Minister Tony Blair to offer America's condolences to the families and
friends of the individuals killed and injured in the July 7 terrorist
attacks in London.
The bipartisan delegation presented Prime Minister Blair with a House
resolution "condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks" and an
American flag that was flown over the United States Capitol to express
America's "condolences and solidarity to the citizens of the United Kingdom
who have suffered from recent terrorists attacks." The delegation also laid
a wreath at the site of one of the bombings.
The delegation traveled to Libya and Lebanon before coming to Great Britain.
In Libya, the delegation met with Colonel Qaddafi and urged his continued
participation in international efforts to combat terrorism. In Beirut, the
delegation met with leaders of the newly elected government to express
outrage over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and
pledge solidarity with the new Prime Minister of Lebanon and the Lebanese
people as they move forward despite this tragedy.
"My colleagues and I wanted to come to 10 Downing Street today to offer
Prime Minister Blair and the British people Congress' condolences and
express our steadfast solidarity with them in this difficult time. I
applaud the heroic efforts of Prime Minister Blair and Great Britain's first
responders for so rapidly and bravely responding to these attacks to aid the
victims," said Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA), chairman of the delegation.
"We are here today to condemn the brutal terrorist attacks against the
freedom-loving people of Great Britain. Our heartfelt condolences go out to
the families and friends of those individuals killed and injured. Our
government will work with British authorities to bring those responsible to
justice," said Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), ranking Democrat of the
delegation.
"I join my colleagues in extending our thoughts and prayers to the British
people. Our nation has lost thousands to the scourge of terrorism, and
seeing similar acts carried out against our best ally only strengthens our
resolve to defeat the terrorists and catch those responsible. We in
Congress will work to share the lessons we've learned with our British
allies," said Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX).
"The people of Britain and America have fought together on the right side of
history before. Tragedies like this only bring together the governments of
freedom loving people everywhere, and I'm confident that together we will
prevail in the global fight against terrorism. My prayers go out to the
families and friends of each and every victim of this tragedy," said Rep.
Tom Cole (R-OK).
"Today we salute the bravery and resolve of the British people in the face
of terrorism and war. Just as they have done so many times in the past, the
British people picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and went back to
living their lives courageously in spite of ongoing threats. We offer our
condolences to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in
these attacks," said Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV).
"Our hearts and prayers are with Prime Minister Blair, the United Kingdom's
government leaders and the British people following the terrorist bombings
on July 7. The face of terrorism knows no boundaries, but our governments
will work together to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for these
acts," said Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN).
House Resolution 356, signed by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert on July 14,
2005, condemns the terrorist acts in London on July 7, while joining
"President George W. Bush in expressing the solidarity of the people and
government of the United States with the people and government of the United
Kingdom." The resolution also expresses the U.S. House of Representatives
"condolences to the families and friends of those individuals who were
killed in the attacks," extends sympathy to those individuals who were
injured and offers any "necessary assistance to the United Kingdom
authorities and to devote the necessary resources to bring to justice those
individuals responsible for the London attacks."
The delegation, comprised of senior members of the U.S. House Armed Services
Committee and Homeland Security Committee, also received an update from
British intelligence authorities on the ongoing investigation of the July
7th terrorist bombings.
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