Al Franken: “I rise to talk about the recent terrorist attack in Somalia. On October 14, a truck filled with explosives detonated in…”

“I rise to talk about the recent terrorist attack in Somalia. On October 14, a truck filled with explosives detonated in a crowded district in Mogadishu--Somalia's capital. The blast was especially devastating because the truck blew up next to a fuel tanker, causing a massive fireball and leveling structures, including the nearby Safari Hotel, which collapsed and trapped many people under its rubble. According to Somali authorities, the target of the attack may have been the city's international airport which also houses many Embassies. This is the worst terrorist attack in Somalia's history. Three hundred fifty-eight people were killed, hundreds have been injured, and dozens are still missing. As a Minnesota Senator, I represent the largest Somali-American population in the Nation. For Minnesota, this wasn't just a massive attack overseas. It affected every one of my estimated 74,000 Somali- American constituents. Among those killed is Ahmed Eyow. He was from Bloomington, MN. He had attended Normandale Community College and Metropolitan State University. He left behind his wife and three children. Another Somali-American who was killed in the blast was Mohamoud Elmi. He had lived in Ohio and had moved back to Somalia about 2 years ago. He was a young man with a bright future, working at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Somalia. There was Abukar Mohamed.…”