EMPOWER SYRIAN PEOPLE AND REMOVE ASSAD; Congressional Record Vol. 163, No. 59

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EMPOWER SYRIAN PEOPLE AND REMOVE ASSAD

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from

Indiana (Mrs. Brooks) for 5 minutes.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn

yesterday's deadly chemical attack in Syria.

Early yesterday morning, while most people were asleep in the rebel-

held city of Khan Shaykhun, airstrikes hit, carrying what is suspected

to be poisonous gas. These airstrikes are believed to be the work of

the Syrian Government or its ally, Russia.

According to the AP, at least 72, if not up to 100 people, including

at least 10 children, were killed and hundreds more injured. Entire

families were found dead in their homes, and healthcare workers who

rushed to help others were also overcome by the poison. A second

airstrike hit near a hospital where victims were being treated.

The Assad regime's continued use of chemical weapons on its own

people, innocent families, and children is despicable, and this is not

the first time. Besides these unspeakable, horrific acts against

innocent people since the Syrian civil war began 6 years ago, more than

11 million Syrians--half of the country's prewar population--have been

displaced from their homes.

The urgency of this situation cannot be denied. We can no longer

ignore the

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continued abuse and killing of the Syrian people. We must take

meaningful action to empower the Syrian people and remove Assad from

power.

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