FLORIDA & NEW HAMPSHIRE REPS. INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION TO HONOR SLAIN JOURNALISTS JAMES FOLEY AND STEVEN SOTLOFF

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), along with her colleagues Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Ted Deutch (FL-21) introduced a resolution in the House honoring the lives of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and condemning the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

James Foley, a New Hampshire native, and Steven Sotloff, a Florida native and graduate of Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH, were working in Syria when they were brutally murdered by the terrorist organization.

The resolution recognizes the substantial achievements Foley and Sotloff made “through their courageous reporting of events in Libya, Syria and elsewhere,” and calls on ISIL to release all other hostages.

“My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this terrible time,” Congresswoman Shea-Porter said. “We must remember James Foley and Steven Sotloff and their courage and determination to show the world what was happening in Syria. This resolution helps America do that. We also must work with other nations to stop the evil of ISIL.”

“It is our solemn duty to honor the lives of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, two courageous journalists who lost their lives in the effort to bring us news and images of violent terrorism in the Middle East,” said Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster. “This resolution mourns their passing, and reaffirms our nation’s commitment to bringing their murderers to justice and holding ISIL accountable for these heinous acts.”

House cosponsor Rep. Alcee Hastings offered the following comment on the House Resolution honoring the memories of James Foley and Steven Sotloff: “I am truly saddened by the heinous murders of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends during this most difficult time. It is clear that ISIL poses a direct threat to the lives of innocent Americans, as well as peace and stability in the region. James and Steven reported in the face of unspeakable danger. Their courage, compassion, and dedication to journalistic excellence will never be forgotten.”

“I join my colleagues Reps. Shea-Porter, Kuster, Hastings, Wasserman Schultz, Bilirakis, and Deutch in denouncing the despicable and criminal murders of journalists James Foley and South Florida native Steven Sotloff. ISIL is a terrorist organization with no regard for human life or any rules of civilized society. As ISIL’s violence against women, children, and minorities increase, we must continue to condemn their disregard for human life and take immediate action to stop them with airstrikes and by taking decisive action to cut off their financial and material lifelines,” said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “As a mother, I cannot imagine the heartache and anguish that the Foley and Sotloff families have endured, from James and Steven’s abductions to their horrific killings. We all bear the responsibility of doing everything we can to prevent this kind of barbarism from happening to anyone’s children, anywhere, ever again.”

“The ISIL terrorists who so brutally murdered journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff have shown a savage disregard for human life. When confronted with such brutal extremism, the free world must unite against terror and work arm in arm to defeat it,” said Congressman Ted Deutch.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced the Senate version of the resolution, and it passed the Senate on September 9th by unanimous consent.
For more information, please contact Sean Bartlett at 202.225.7931