S.Res. 240

A resolution condemning the horrific attacks on government buildings in Oslo, Norway, and a youth camp on Utoya Island, Norway, on July 22, 2011, and for other purposes.

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III

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 240

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 27, 2011

Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lugar, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Franken, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Conrad, Mr. McCain, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Begich, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Brown of Massachusetts, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Burr, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Coats, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Johnson of Wisconsin, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Kirk, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lee, Mr. Levin, Mr. Manchin, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Moran, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Paul, Mr. Portman, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Reid, Mr. Risch, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Shelby, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wicker) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Condemning the horrific attacks on government buildings in Oslo, Norway, and a youth camp on Utøya Island, Norway, on July 22, 2011, and for other purposes.

Whereas, on July 22, 2011, at least eight people were brutally killed when government buildings were bombed in Oslo, Norway;

Whereas, also on July 22, 2011, at least 68 people, a majority of them children and young adults, were brutally killed when a youth camp was attacked on Utøya Island, Norway;

Whereas, also on July 22, 2011, as many as 96 people were injured by these dual attacks;

Whereas these twin attacks brought horrific violence, pain, and suffering upon innocent Norwegians and their families and friends;

Whereas the Government and people of Norway have condemned the terrorist attacks and called the events an atrocity, a nightmare, and a national tragedy;

Whereas Norway is recognized around the world as a country that is both peaceful and peace-seeking;

Whereas Oslo, Norway, is home to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which annually selects winners of the Nobel Peace Prize;

Whereas Norway was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945, a Norwegian was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Norway was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949;

Whereas Norway has for years offered safe haven to refugees and the politically persecuted from around the world;

Whereas over 4,500,000 Americans of Norwegian ancestry now reside in the United States, with the state of Minnesota being home to the largest number of people of Norwegian heritage outside of Norway itself;

Whereas the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, has said, “We must never let our values, our way of life, be destroyed by blind violence,” and pledged that Norway will respond with more democracy, more openness, and more humanity, but never naivete;

Whereas the Foreign Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, remarked, The nature of the Norwegian democracy will not change. Norway will continue to stand for engagement in the world where we commit our resources and our convictions.;

Whereas President Barack Obama remarked that [i]t's a reminder that the entire international community has a stake in preventing this kind of terror from occurring, and later said, You should know that the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with the people of Norway and that we will stand beside [Norway] every step of the way.;

Whereas, on Monday, July 25, 2011, there was a moment of silence throughout Norway and other Nordic countries, followed by a memorial attended by more than 150,000 people outside the city hall in Oslo for a Rose March, in which participants carried white or red roses; and

Whereas Crown Prince Haakon of Norway told those gathered at the memorial, Tonight the streets are filled with love.: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

condemns in the strongest terms the senseless terrorist attacks that occurred in Norway on July 22, 2011, causing many deaths and injuries;

(2)

further condemns all terrorist actions, including those motivated by hatred and religious or cultural intolerance;

(3)

expresses deep sympathy, solidarity, and condolences to the victims of the atrocious acts, their families, and the people and Government of Norway;

(4)

emphasizes the bonds of friendship and shared heritage between the United States and Norway;

(5)

expresses unwavering support to the Government and people of Norway as they recover from these horrific attacks;

(6)

affirms its resolve to combat all forms of senseless violence and terrorism, both domestically and abroad; and

(7)

calls on all people to join together to denounce acts of hatred and fear and promote peace and tolerance in their communities and around the world.