CLINTON, LAUTENBERG, MENENDEZ, SCHUMER HONOR THE VICTIMS OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 ON 20th ANNIVERSARY OF TRAGEDY

Senate Passes Resolution Honoring Victims of Lockerbie, Scotland Bombing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate recently approved a resolution Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sponsored to honor the victims of Pan Am Flight 103. The measure, the Twentieth Anniversary of Remembrance for the Victims of the Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 Day, passed unanimously.

"The passing years have not diminished the sorrow or the pain of this great tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the Pan Am 103 victims today, as they have been for two decades. The bombing over Lockerbie cut short the lives of so many, including 35 Syracuse University students, and we honor their memory with this resolution," Sen. Clinton said.

"Twenty years ago, tragedy struck over Lockerbie, Scotland. Hundreds of families from New Jersey, across the country, and around the world lost a loved one that awful day. Today, we honor their memory and vow to continue to do everything in our power to bring all who commit terrorist acts against innocent Americans to justice," said Sen. Lautenberg.

Sen. Menendez said: "Twenty years have passed since terrorists took hundreds of innocent lives aboard Pan Am Flight 103, but their families in New Jersey and across the country will never forget, and neither will we. We have stood up for the families to make sure that there is some measure of justice. The victims' memories must be honored both in tribute and in action against those who have done our nation harm and would do our nation harm in the future."

"On December 21, 1988, a tragedy took place over Scotland that claimed the lives of many New Yorkers and Americans across the country," Sen. Schumer said. "This measure will ensure that we continue to honor the memory of the 270 lost during this heinous terrorist act and that we continue to focus on preventing attacks in the future."

On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed over Lockerbie, Scotland by a bomb placed by Libyan terrorists, killing 270. December 21, 2008 will mark the twentieth anniversary of this tragedy.

In 2003, Libya accepted responsibility for the Pan Am attack and reached an agreement with the victims' families. However, Libya failed to complete its obligation to the families under that agreement.

On October 31, 2008, Libya deposited into a United States account the final amounts it owed to settle the Pan Am 103 case. Libya's satisfaction of these obligations was facilitated by the Libyan Claims Resolution Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in August 2008.

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Honoring the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy. (Agreed to by Senate)

SRES 727 ATS

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 727

Honoring the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 9, 2008

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mr. MENENDEZ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

T

RESOLUTION

Honoring the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy.

Whereas, on December 21, 1988, 259 passengers and crew members on board Pan American Airways flight 103, and 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland, were killed by a terrorist's bomb;

Whereas 189 people of the United States and nationals from 20 other countries were victims of this heinous attack;

Whereas the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy have suffered immeasurable losses;

Whereas people around the world actively have worked to diminish the possibility of future terrorist attacks;

Whereas in 2003, Libya accepted responsibility for Libyan officials' involvement in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103, denounced terrorism, and vowed to abandon its weapons program;

Whereas, on October 31, 2008, almost 20 years after the terrorist attack, Libya completed delivery of long-awaited compensation to the families of the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103; and

Whereas nothing can replace the loved ones lost in the attack, and the United States must never forget the victims of this crime: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates December 21, 2008, as `Twentieth Anniversary of Remembrance for the Victims of the Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 Day'; and

(2) conveys the most sincere condolences to the families, friends, and communities of the victims of the attack on Flight 103.