Condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist attacks in Kampala, Uganda.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1538, and I want to thank Chairman Berman for bringing my resolution to the floor.

As the world watched the World Cup finals on July 11, terrorists launched suicide attacks against innocent men and women in the city of Kampala, Uganda. At least 70 people tragically died in those blasts, one of whom was a 25-year-old American, Nate ``Oteka'' Henn.

This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Kampala, recognizes the important role Uganda plays in the African Union Mission in Somalia, and sends a message to our allies that the United States stands by our strategic partners. It also highlights the urgent need for the United States to work with the international community to address the root causes of extremism and terrorism in East Africa. And finally, this resolution honors Nate ``Oteka'' Henn and all of the victims of this tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, Nate was a committed volunteer for Invisible Children, Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego. That organization works to shed light on the grim reality that is faced by many Ugandans, particularly the children who are abducted and forced to become child soldiers there. Nate was a beloved and hardworking part of this cause, whether at the helm of an Invisible Children van as a member of the team of ``roadies'' or as an effective and heartfelt fundraiser who helped send Ugandan students to school. From what I now know of Nate's innate warmth, humor, and determination, it's no surprise that he was given the name ``Oteka,'' which

means ``the strong one,'' by his Ugandan friends, a name he proudly tattooed on his right arm.

Responsibility for the attack that killed Nate and the dozens of other innocent men and women in Uganda has been claimed by the Somalia- based al-Shabaab terrorist organization. Al-Shabaab has justified the deadly violence on Uganda's 3,400-troop contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia. But al-Shabaab, which means ``the youth,'' also chose its targets to send a message to Somalis around the world, a message designed to help tighten its control in Somalia and recruit young men into its ranks, including young men from many of the districts we represent.

Nate Henn's life, on quite the other hand, and the work of groups like Invisible Children send a far different message to the youth of Africa, a message that is one of promise and hope rather than of war.

Today, Congress can help reinforce that message by showing that the American people stand side by side with those who strive to make the future brighter for Africa's youth while at the same time telling groups like al-Shabaab that we will not ignore atrocities committed against civilians or our allies.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that all of my colleagues will support this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, House Resolution 1538, which condemns the deadly suicide attacks that took place in Kampala, Uganda on July 11, 2010.

In the past, some Members have questioned the accuracy of reported links between al Qaeda and al-Shabaab insurgents. Some claim that it is operationally focused solely upon Somalia and, thus, poses no tangible threat to Americans, our allies, or our interests. Unfortunately, the attacks that rocked Uganda on July 11, 2010 provided indisputable evidence that those assumptions were dangerously wrong. Scores were killed, including an American who worked with the advocacy group Invisible Children.

This senseless act of violence should serve as a wake-up call to U.S. officials on the need to vigorously address the threat of Islamist extremism wherever it lurks, which extends far beyond the Middle East. Many more lives are at stake.

The 1998 East Africa Embassy attacks exposed, and the July 11 Kampala attacks affirmed, that the United States cannot afford to ignore the activities of extremist groups in Africa as they attempt to expand their influence to bolster their ranks and spread their dangerous ideology. We must work vigilantly and cooperatively with other responsible nations to disrupt the operations of extremist groups and hold accountable their regional sponsors.

Over 18 months ago, Mr. Speaker, I introduced a resolution, H. Con. Res. 16, which brings sorely needed attention to the threat of Islamist extremism in Africa. It is alarming that even after these tragic attacks I have not been able to get the majority to bring this resolution to the floor.

I understand that Attorney General Holder is currently in Uganda attending the African Union Summit, attempting to impress upon the AU heads of state the imperative of confronting violent extremists on the continent. He is highlighting many of the issues that I have been attempting to address for 1\1/2\ years. Isn't it time for this body to take this threat seriously?

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to consider H. Con. Res. 16 while supporting this important resolution before us, House Resolution 1538.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1538) condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist attacks in Kampala, Uganda, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

On July 11, 2010, bombs ripped through a crowd gathered in Kampala, Uganda to watch the World Cup finals. The Somali terrorist group al- Shabaab claimed responsibility for these cowardly attacks which killed at least 70 innocent civilians. Among those was one American, Nate ``Oteka'' Henn, a committed volunteer with the San Diego-based NGO Invisible Children. Dozens of others were injured in the blast, including several members of a Pennsylvania church group. The perpetrators of the attacks claim they were in retaliation for Uganda sending peacekeeping troops to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM.

Uganda currently has 3,400 troops deployed to Somalia in support of AMISOM and has pledged to deploy an additional 2,000 troops.

Mr. Speaker, the United States and our allies must support efforts by the Somali people and the African Union to achieve lasting peace, rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights in Somalia. We must work together to eradicate extremism and terrorism from Somalia and the entire region and to counter the destabilizing influence of radical groups like al-Shabaab.

I would also like to thank my good friend from California (Mrs. Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California, an esteemed Member of Congress, Mrs. Susan Davis.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1538, which condemns the terrorist attacks that took place on July 11, 2010, in Kampala, Uganda. This terrorist behavior is simply unacceptable and our nation must express our disapproval of the responsible parties who committed these horrible attacks.

Mr. Speaker, the situation in East Africa is grave. Unfortunately, the situation isn't getting any better either, given that this is the worst terrorist attack that this region has witnessed since 1998. The responsible party for these horrifying terrorist attacks is the hard- line Somali militant group, al-Shabab. Even more frightening is the fact that this group has threatened further attacks, if Uganda and Burundi continue to supply troops to an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. This continued threat of terrorist attacks is not only a dire concern in this area of East Africa, but also for our nation. Uganda, a key U.S. ally, is also a training ground for soldiers for Somalia's transitional government, the government which al-Shabab is seeking to overthrow. Both the United States and the United Kingdom support this mission. Consequently, we have responsibility to support and protect the peacekeeping forces that are working to provide stability in Somalia. In order for strength to be restored in the failing state of Somalia and the surrounding countries like Uganda, we must also find a way to remove the terrorist group al-Shabab from its destabilizing role.

Mr. Speaker, as the trend in globalization continues to increase, the connections among nations become more and more intertwined. Therefore, as Representatives of Congress, we must pass this resolution to call on our administration to work with the international community to address the security threat emanating from Somalia. This will hopefully ensure that this violence doesn't overspill more into other nations.

Again, I fully support this resolution and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1538, condemning the July 11 terrorist attacks in Uganda, which claimed over 70 lives, including an American citizen, and Delawarean, Nate Henn.

Nate was in Uganda working as a volunteer for Invisible Children, a group dedicated to ending the practice of child soldiers in war. Nate left University of Delaware in 2008 and had been working with Invisible Children ever since. The tribes he worked with nicknamed him ``Oteka,'' which means ``The Strong One'' and from all the accounts of his work that I have read, he was more than deserving of that name.

This coordinated terrorist attack was both brutal and targeted, taking place in areas of Kampala where many Ugandans and others gathered to watch the World Cup games. This resolution rightfully calls on the administration to work with the international community to address the security threat emanating from Somali, particularly the al Shabaab terrorist network, which claimed responsibility for these vicious attacks. I am hopeful that we can work together with the international community to eliminate extremism and promote stability and peace in Somalia, and throughout the region.

As a cosponsor of H. Res. 1538, I strongly support this measure and urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the July 11 terrorist attacks and honoring the victims, particularly Nate Henn.