July 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 118 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H5787-H5789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING ATTACK ON THE AMIA JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER IN BUENOS AIRES 
                              IN JULY 1994

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 441) a resolution condemning the attack on the AMIA 
Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994 and 
expressing the concern of the United States regarding the continuing, 
25-year-long delay in the resolution of this case and encouraging 
accountability for the attack.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows

                              H. Res. 441

       Whereas, 25 years ago, on July 18, 1994, 85 innocent people 
     were killed and 300 were wounded when the Argentine Jewish 
     Mutual Association (AMIA) was bombed in Buenos Aires, 
     Argentina;
       Whereas, 2 years earlier, Hezbollah operatives also blew up 
     the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 civilians;
       Whereas it is reported that considerable evidence links the 
     attack to the terrorist group Hezbollah, which is based in 
     Lebanon, supported by the Government of the Syrian Arab 
     Republic, and sponsored by the Government of the Islamic 
     Republic of Iran;
       Whereas the 25 years since the bombing have been marked by 
     a failure to bring those responsible, including Iranian 
     officials and their Hezbollah proxies, to justice;
       Whereas, in September 2004, Alberto Nisman was appointed as 
     the Special Prosecutor in charge of the 1994 AMIA bombing 
     investigation;
       Whereas, on October 25, 2006, Argentine prosecutors Alberto 
     Nisman and Marcelo Martinez Burgos formally accused the 
     Government of Iran of directing the bombing, and the 
     Hezbollah militia of carrying it out;
       Whereas Ibrahim Hussein Berro, a member of the terrorist 
     group Hezbollah, was identified as the AMIA bomber;
       Whereas, in November 2006, an Argentine judge issued arrest 
     warrants for Iranian nationals Ali Fallahijan (former Iranian 
     intelligence minister), Mohsen Rabbani (former Iranian 
     cultural attache), Ahmad Reza Asghari (former Iranian 
     diplomat), Ahmad Vahidi (former Iranian defense minister), 
     Ali Akbar Velayati (former Iranian foreign minister), Mohsen 
     Rezaee (former chief commander of the Iranian Islamic 
     Revolutionary Guards Corps), Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani 
     (former President of Iran), Hadi Soleimanpour (former Iranian 
     Ambassador to Argentina), and Lebanese national Imad Fayez 
     Moughnieh who were named as suspects in the AMIA bombing;
       Whereas, in November 2007, INTERPOL voted to put the 
     following suspects in the 1994 AMIA attack on its most wanted 
     list--Ali Fallahijan, Mohsen Rabbani, Ahmad Reza Asghari, 
     Ahmad Vahidi, and Mohsen Razaee from Iran and Imad Fayez 
     Moughnieh from Lebanon;
       Whereas Interpol currently has 4 red alerts in place in 
     relation to the AMIA attack;
       Whereas, on January 13, 2015, prosecutor Alberto Nisman 
     alleged in a complaint that then-Argentinian President 
     Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and then-Minister of Foreign 
     Relations Hector Timerman conspired to cover up Iranian 
     involvement in the 1994 terrorist bombing, and reportedly 
     agreed to negotiate immunity for Iranian suspects and help 
     get their names removed from the INTERPOL list;
       Whereas prosecutor Alberto Nisman was scheduled to present 
     his new findings to the Argentinian Congress on January 19, 
     2015;
       Whereas prosecutor Alberto Nisman was found shot in the 
     head in his apartment in Buenos Aires on January 18, 2015;
       Whereas the investigation of the AMIA bombing has been 
     marked by judicial misconduct;
       Whereas, in March 2019, an Argentine court handed down 
     convictions and sentences, finding that the judge, 
     prosecutors, and head of the Argentina's secret services--the 
     individuals responsible for investigating the AMIA bombing, 
     Argentina's deadliest terrorist attack--had interfered with 
     the inquiry, diverting the investigation away from the truth;
       Whereas former Federal judge Juan Jose Galeano was handed 
     down a 6-year conviction by the court, which will not be 
     enforced until the sentence is confirmed by a higher 
     tribunal;
       Whereas former State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) 
     intelligence head Hugo Anzorreguy was handed a prison 
     sentence of 54 months;
       Whereas Carlos Telleldin, a used car dealer who sold the 
     van that contained the bomb used to attack AMIA and received 
     a bribe to incriminate police officers falsely, was sentenced 
     to 42 months in jail; and
       Whereas no Iranian suspects for the AMIA bombing have yet 
     faced prosecution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) reiterates its strongest condemnation of the 1994 
     attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, 
     Argentina, and honors the victims of this heinous act;
       (2) expresses its sympathy to the relatives of the victims, 
     who have waited a quarter of a century without justice for 
     the loss of their loved ones, and may have to wait even 
     longer for justice to be served;
       (3) underscores the concern of the United States regarding 
     the continuing, 25-year-long delay in the proper resolution 
     of this case; and
       (4) expresses strong support for accountability for this 
     attack, including against those Iranian and Hezbollah 
     operatives who were responsible.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 441, a resolution 
condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos 
Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, 25 years ago this month.
  I have been to that community center. It is a vibrant community 
center.

[[Page H5788]]

It was a horrific bombing that happened 25 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Mr. Deutch for 
authoring this resolution and for his years of leadership advocating 
for justice for the victims of the AMIA bombing.
  In July of 1994, the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires was 
bombed. Eighty-five innocent people were killed and at least 300 people 
were wounded. Almost 25 years later, this heartbreaking tragedy and 
vicious act of anti-Semitism still is an open wound. Justice has not 
been served.
  This hits close to my heart. I have visited AMIA twice to meet with 
the community there and pay my respects to the victims and the 
Argentine Jewish community.
  For 25 years, the Argentine people have been waiting for the 
perpetrators of this horrific act of violence and hate to be brought to 
justice.
  So, I am glad we are considering this resolution today to keep this 
issue on the front burner and to continue to show solidarity with the 
victims.
  The measure before us condemns the AMIA attack and expresses the 
United States' condolences to the families of the 85 victims.
  This resolution also makes it clear that those responsible for the 
murder of innocent civilians must be held accountable. Years of 
investigation have found that the perpetrators of this attack were 
Hezbollah operatives with strong links to Iranian Government officials.
  Despite the international outcry and a stack of Interpol red notices 
demanding that these individuals be brought to justice, Iran refuses to 
hold the perpetrators accountable. Par for the course for the 
Government of Iran.
  It is the duty of all of us here in Congress to stand with the 
Argentine people as they demand that those responsible face 
consequences for their crimes.
  I hope our friends in the Argentine Government and justice system 
will do everything they can to finally provide closure for the victims' 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 441, Condemning the 
attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires in July 
1994, authored by Mr. Deutch of Florida.
  In July 1994, a terrorist tied to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah 
carried out a murderous bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in 
Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 85 innocent people and injuring 
hundreds more.
  Unfortunately, 25 years later, the cowardly perpetrators of this 
attack have evaded justice due to a series of coverups and a botched 
investigation. This reminds us that terrorism is a continuing threat in 
our hemisphere and that we must always be vigilant.
  This important resolution condemns the attack, expresses concern over 
the continued delay in the resolution of the case, and it encourages 
accountability for those responsible.
  The resolution also recognizes a series of critical events, including 
the mysterious death of the lead prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, who 
formally accused the Government of Iran and Hezbollah for their role 
and implicated the Fernandez Kirchner government in negotiating 
immunity for the Iranian suspects.
  This resolution demonstrates our commitment to supporting the 
Government of Argentina, one of our great regional partners, in finding 
justice for the victims and their families, and combating the continued 
threat of terrorism in our hemisphere.
  I was grateful to work with my colleague, Mr. Deutch, the chairman of 
the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism 
Subcommittee, on this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 441.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch), chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, 
North Africa, and International Terrorism.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the victims of the 
1994 terror attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires.
  On July 18, 1994, terrorists detonated a car bomb in the AMIA 
building, a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, an important part, 
a central part of that community. It killed 85 innocent people and 
injured hundreds more.
  This attack, which took place just 2 years after the bombing of the 
Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, shook the Argentine Jewish community, 
the largest in Latin America.
  In the 25 years since the attack, the investigations into the AMIA 
bombing have been marked by long delays and by judicial misconduct, 
failing thus far to bring justice for the victims, their families, and 
their community.
  Considerable evidence has linked this heinous attack to the terrorist 
group Hezbollah and its sponsor, the Government of the Islamic Republic 
of Iran.

  Now, despite warrants issued by the Argentinian justice system for 
Iranian and Lebanese nationals thought to be involved in the attacks, 
and their addition on Interpol's most wanted lists, Iranian and 
Hezbollah operatives have yet to face accountability for their actions.
  We encourage all responsible nations to not allow the perpetrators of 
this attack to continue to escape justice.
  After the previous President of Argentina worked to prevent Iran from 
being held accountable, Prosecutor Alberto Nisman heroically proceeded 
investigating this bombing, shedding light on the alarming and growing 
partnership between leaders in Iran and Argentina. Just 1 day before he 
was scheduled to present his latest findings, Alberto Nisman was found 
dead in his home with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
  We are grateful that President Macri's government has continued to 
push for Iranian accountability.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the Ambassador of Argentina, 
who is in the gallery with us today.
  Twenty-five years later, Iranian-backed Hezbollah continues to carry 
out terror operations. Twenty-five years later, anti-Semitism continues 
to threaten the lives of Jewish communities throughout Latin America, 
around the world, and even here in the United States.
  With this vote, Congress honors the victims of this horrific attack; 
recalls the brave work by Alberto Nisman, who lost his life pursuing 
justice; and calls for full accountability for those responsible. It 
has been far too long.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the ranking member, Congressman   Joe 
Wilson, ranking member of the Middle East, North Africa, and 
International Terrorism Subcommittee, and Congressmen Albio Sires and 
Francis Rooney, the chair and ranking member of the Western Hemisphere, 
Civilian Security, and Trade Subcommittee, for joining me in 
introducing this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with us against this 
despicable act of terror. As we recall the victims today, we stand 
against terror and hatred and anti-Semitism, and we stand for justice.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to avoid references to 
occupants of the gallery.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
for the purpose of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an outrage that, after all these years, there 
still hasn't been justice for the AMIA bombing victims and their 
families.
  This resolution today is a message to the Argentine Jewish community, 
and to marginalized, victimized communities around the world, that the 
United States will not forget them and will continue to push for 
justice.
  I am glad my colleague mentioned the prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, 
because what happened to him, to be murdered a day before he was to 
present his work, is absolutely a disgrace. Some in the government even

[[Page H5789]]

tried to say that it was a suicide, but we know it was not.
  I hope that we get to the bottom of the truth and that Mr. Nisman is 
honored, which he should be. It is just an absolute disgrace that he 
was murdered.
  Again, I thank Mr. Deutch for authorizing this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it, and I 
yield back the balance of my time
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
441 which conveys the indignation and concern many of my colleagues and 
I have regarding the severe delay in the conclusion of and lack of 
accountability for the July 1994 AMIA Jewish Community Center attacks.
  On July 18, 1994, 85 innocent people lost their lives and 300 more 
were wounded in an act of terror and hate perpetrated against the 
Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA).
  This attack came two years after the bombing of the Embassy of Israel 
in Buenos Aires which claimed the lives of an additional 29 civilians.
  In both instances, there was considerable evidence that linked the 
attacks to the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah, which is 
supported by the Syrian Arab Republic and is sponsored by the Islamic 
Republic of Iran.
  In the quarter century since the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community 
Center in Buenos Aires, little has been done to bring those 
responsible, including Iranian officials and their Hezbollah proxies, 
to justice.
  Those charged with bringing the attackers to justice have 
unfortunately been made victims themselves or since been found to have 
undermined and misled their investigations into the attacks.
  Alberto Nisman, one of the original prosecutors that formally accused 
the Government of Iran of directing the bombing, was also critical of 
the Government of Argentina's response to the 1994 AMIA bombing.
  Nisman alleged that there was a conspiracy among high-ranking 
Argentinian government officials, including then-President Cristina 
Fernandez de Kirchner, to cover up Iranian involvement.
  Unfortunately, Nisman was shot in the head in his apartment the day 
before he was scheduled to present new findings to the Argentinian 
Congress.
  Other individuals responsible for investigating the AMIA bombing, 
Argentina's deadliest terrorist attack, have since been convicted by an 
Argentine court for interfering with the official inquiry and diverting 
the investigation away from the truth.
  As a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary and on Homeland 
Security, I urge my fellow colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
441 and in condemning what has been a systemic failure to carry out 
justice for the victims of the July 18, 1994 terrorist attack on the 
AMIA Jewish Community Center.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 441.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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