Tony Thurmond: “On behalf of all Americans I wish to express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our…”

“On behalf of all Americans I wish to express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our service-members involved in yesterday's tragic terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. While the situation is still developing, we know that 19 U.S. service personnel were killed, 80 are hospitalized, of which 60 are in critical condition. Our servicemembers in Saudi Arabia are stationed there to keep a steady and keen vigilance against the very threat to peace to which they were victims. Most of these U.S. servicemembers are performing daily missions and maintaining a deterrence against longstanding and well-known threats in the Persian Gulf. This unfortunate act of cowardly terrorism is against all who have an interest in peace. Our British, French, and Saudi allies apparently were also targets of this senseless act. The Senate is now deliberating on important legislation which affects the brave American servicemembers in Saudi Arabia, and all our forces world-wide. In doing this very important business, we should be mindful of what happened in Saudi Arabia last night. Last night's tragedy is another reminder that the absence of war does not mean that the world is at peace. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen stand at the ready under the constant threat of violence. This is the world we live in today, in which the United States must continue to show leadership and determination.”