Skip to main content

Congressman Garamendi’s Statement on Terror Attack in Paris

November 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after returning to Washington to begin Congressional deliberations on the terror attack in Paris:

“My heart aches for the hundreds of victims killed and injured during the horrific terror attack in Paris. France is America’s oldest ally and that centuries-long bond compels our nation to stand with the French people in our common fight against extremism.

"This week, Congress will focus on the terror attack, the ongoing threat of ISIL, and what next steps we need to pursue as a nation. As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am closely studying Congressional and Administration action, input from experts, intelligence reports, and international responses to the attack.

"France and America share a common enemy: a barbaric network of Jihadi extremists that is widely rejected in the Islamic world. ISIL’s apocalyptic aspirations are a threat to America, Russia, Europe, and every nation in the Middle East. The terrorist attack in Paris, other recent terrorist attacks in Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey, and the ongoing subjugation and suffering of people held under duress in territory controlled by ISIL demonstrates that we must continue to work with and strengthen the ties between our partners to forge a broad multi-national, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious coalition committed to isolating and ultimately ridding the world of this death cult.

"'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' has been a rallying cry in France since the birth of the Republic, but it reflects ideals shared here in America too. The world has changed, but we must not let the terrorists corrode our values. The darkness cannot overcome the light."