Statement by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist

March 11, 2004

Mr. President, through the efforts of our colleagues Senators Allen and Dodd we have a resolution before us expressing our condolences to the people of Spain. Upon completion of a few brief statements we will have a moment of silence, followed by a vote on the resolution.

"It is with a heavy heart that I rise. In a phone call earlier today I told the Ambassador of Spain what the United States Senate will tell the people of Spain tonight. We are with you, our friends. You are not alone in your grief.

This morning, in Madrid, Spain, at the height of rush hour, ten terrorist bombs ripped through railway trains and stations, killing over 190 people and wounding, 1,240 more. Mothers, fathers, students, children were struck down as they went about their normal daily life a tragedy that we in the United States know only too well.

Spain did not learn about the need to defend democracy or how to fight terrorism on September 11, 2001. Sadly, this lesson was thrust upon the Spanish people long ago. Their response to our darkest moment will long be remembered in America. And as the people of Spain mourn their victims tonight, we mourn with them.

We do not yet know the identity of the culprits. Officials are pursuing every lead. But whoever committed this atrocity will be found and they will be punished.

I say to the people of Spain: America is with you. We stand in front of you, in back of you, to your left and to your right. We grieve with the families who bear so much sorrow. And we grieve for their loved ones whose lives have been so unjustly cut short.

We will not forget this day, and we will fight until the last cowardly murderer is brought to justice.

Embassy of the Unites States of America
Serrano 75
28006 Madrid, Spain
telephone: 91587-2200
fax: 91587-2303
(Within Spain use phone numbers without 34)