16 April 2003
Text: House Resolutions Hail Jessica Lynch and Iraqi Who Helped Save Her
(One resolution cites Iraqi lawyer for "fearless and courageous actions") (1390) Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have submitted resolutions hailing the rescue of Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch and the Iraqi lawyer who helped save her life. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (Republican of West Virginia) introduced House Resolution 182 (H. Res. 182) in the House of Representatives, and the proposed resolution honoring Lynch, who is a West Virginia native, was referred to the House Armed Services Committee and the House International Relations Committee for action. H. Res. 182 recounted how Lynch, a young servicewoman with the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company was captured March 23, 2003, near Nasiriyah, after her unit was ambushed by Iraqi forces. The proposed resolution noted how on April 1 U.S. special operations forces rescued Lynch from captivity at the Saddam Hospital in Nasiriyah. H. Res. 182 praised the soldier from Palestine, West Virginia as "exemplifying the finest standards of excellence in American military service," as she survived her nine-day ordeal. The proposed resolution also cited those who took part in her rescue. "Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, and all members of United States and coalition forces participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom deserve the respect and admiration of all Americans for their exemplary service in life-threatening circumstances," Capito's resolution said. The very next resolution submitted to the House of Representatives noted the role of an Iraqi lawyer in saving Private Lynch. Representative Jeff Flake (Republican of Arizona) introduced on the same day House Resolution 183 (H. Res. 183) which commended the actions of Iraqi lawyer Mohammed for helping save the life of Private Lynch. His proposed resolution was referred to the House International Relations Committee for action. H. Res. 183 recounted how Mohammed became aware of the presence of Lynch in the hospital while visiting his wife, who worked as a nurse there. "He risked his life and walked six miles from Nasiriyah to reach elements of the United States Marine Corps in that area to inform them" of Lynch's location and her condition, the resolution noted. The Iraqi lawyer, who was asked by the Marines to go back to the hospital to get specific information, "returned to the hospital two more times to map the layout of the facility and the exact location" of the captured American. The proposed resolution added he was "risking his life in the event his mission was discovered." H. Res. 183 declared Mohammed "has earned the respect and esteem of Americans for his humanitarian efforts." The Arizona Republican's resolution added, "The House of Representatives commends Mohammad, an Iraqi lawyer, for his fearless and courageous actions in helping to save the life of Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army." Representative Lois Capps (Democrat of California) introduced a resolution similar to H. Res. 183. Her resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 151 (H. Con. Res. 151), was submitted to the House of Representatives April 11, with 49 co-sponsors, and was referred to the House International Relations Committee for action. Among the co-sponsors was Representative Nick Rahall (Democrat of West Virginia), who is an Arab American and represents Lynch's home state in Congress. H. Con. Res. 151 cites Mohammed and fellow Iraqi Iman "for their brave actions against oppression and tyranny in providing to United States forces, at great risk to themselves, information essential for the rescue of Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, on April 1, 2003." That proposed resolution extended "the thanks of Congress and a grateful nation" to the two Iraqis. According to news reports, Lynch's father, when he learned details of his daughter's rescue, called Mohammed, "an angel." Following are the texts of House Resolution 182 and House Resolution 183 from the Congressional Record: (begin text) 108th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 182 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 8, 2003 Mrs. CAPITO submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Commending Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, the special operations forces who on April 1, 2003, rescued her from captivity by Iraqi forces, and all United States and coalition forces in Iraq. Whereas on March 23, 2003, near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, members of the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company of the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, were ambushed by Iraqi forces, leaving two members of the unit killed, five taken as prisoners of war, and eight, including Private First Class Jessica Lynch of Palestine, West Virginia, missing; Whereas on April 1, 2003, special operations forces of the United States Armed Forces rescued Private First Class Lynch from captivity at the Saddam Hospital in An Nasiriyah, Iraq; Whereas Private First Class Lynch, exemplifying the finest standards of excellence in American military service, survived for nine days through courage and skill while held by Iraqi forces; and Whereas the rescue operation was the result of a massive effort of helicopter-borne special operations personnel and other members of the Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that-- (1) Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, and all members of United States and coalition forces participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom deserve the respect and admiration of all Americans for their exemplary service in life-threatening circumstances; (2) the happiness and relief felt by the family and friends of Private First Class Lynch as a result of her rescue by United States special operations forces on April 1, 2003, is shared by the House of Representatives and all Americans; (3) all members of the Armed Forces involved in the operation to rescue Private First Class Lynch, including Army Rangers, Air Force pilots and combat controllers, United States Marines, and Navy SEALs, and in particular those special operations personnel directly involved in the rescue, are to be commended for their heroic actions and their commitment to leave no comrade behind; and (4) the thoughts and prayers of the House of Representatives are with the families and members of the Armed Forces who are still missing or held as prisoners of war in Iraq. (end text of H. Res. 182) (begin text of H. Res. 183) 108th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 183 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 8, 2003 Mr. FLAKE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations RESOLUTION Commending Mohammed, an Iraqi lawyer, for his fearless and courageous actions in helping to save the life of an American solider. Whereas the Iraqi lawyer known as Mohammed was born in Najaf, Iraq, a holy city to Shiite Muslims; Whereas he studied law and English in Basra to become an attorney; Whereas in late March 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he became aware of the presence of an American soldier in the hospital in the town of Nasiriyah while visiting his wife, a nurse in that hospital; Whereas he risked his life and walked six miles from Nasiriyah to reach elements of the United States Marine Corps in that area to inform them of the location and condition of the American soldier; Whereas upon being asked by the Marines to do so, he returned to the hospital two more times to map the layout of the facility and the exact location of the American soldier, again risking his life in the event his mission was discovered; Whereas the information he provided was vital to the rescue from Iraqi forces on April 1, 2003, of Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, of Palestine, West Virginia; Whereas his house has been ransacked by Fedayeen and he now is at a United States military base with his wife and young daughter; and Whereas he has earned the respect and esteem of Americans for his humanitarian efforts: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends Mohammad, an Iraqi lawyer, for his fearless and courageous actions in helping to save the life of Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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