[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 381 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 381

     Honoring the memory and legacy of Michael James Riddering and 
   condemning the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 
                           January 15, 2016.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 1, 2016

     Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Kirk) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Honoring the memory and legacy of Michael James Riddering and 
   condemning the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 
                           January 15, 2016.

Whereas, on January 15, 2016, terrorists perpetrated heinous attacks at the 
        Splendid Hotel, the Cappuccino Cafe, and the Yibi Hotel in Ouagadougou, 
        Burkina Faso, killing 30 innocent civilians from 18 countries, including 
        Burkina Faso, Canada, France, Libya, Switzerland, the Netherlands, 
        Portugal, Ukraine, and the United States;
Whereas Michael James Riddering was the only citizen of the United States killed 
        in the terrorist attacks on January 15, 2016;
Whereas first responders, including Burkinabe forces, and French and United 
        States security personnel, including personnel of the Bureau of 
        Diplomatic Security and of the United States Armed Forces, valiantly and 
        quickly assisted with evacuating civilians trapped in the Splendid 
        Hotel, transporting civilians to safe locations, and supporting the 
        military of Burkina Faso in securing the area around the Splendid Hotel;
Whereas Michael James Riddering resided in Yako, Burkina Faso, was born in 
        Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida;
Whereas Michael James Riddering was a graduate of Fort Lauderdale Christian High 
        School;
Whereas Michael James Riddering was a businessman, a boat builder, and a 
        missionary who led an orphanage, a school, and a women's crisis center 
        in Burkina Faso, and was a father, son, husband, brother, and friend;
Whereas Michael James Riddering and his wife, Amy, worked as a part of a team 
        that cared for over 400 orphaned children and provided direct assistance 
        to disenfranchised widows in Burkina Faso;
Whereas Michael James Riddering was in the capital, Ouagadougou, of Burkina Faso 
        on January 15, 2016, to meet a group of missionaries who had arrived 
        from Florida to volunteer for 10 days at the compound that he and his 
        wife, Amy, ran in the city of Yako; and
Whereas the people of the United States stand united with the family, friends, 
        and colleagues of Michael James Riddering to support the individuals 
        touched by his life or affected by his death and to pray for healing, 
        understanding, and peace: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, 
        Burkina Faso, on January 15, 2016;
            (2) honors the memory of Michael James Riddering, the 
        United States citizen who was killed in the terrorist attack on 
        the Cappuccino Cafe on January 15, 2016, in Ouagadougou, 
        Burkina Faso;
            (3) recognizes and honors the dedication of Michael James 
        Riddering, who moved halfway across the world to work with 
        orphans and widows in order to help them improve their lives 
        and to contribute to their communities;
            (4) extends sincere condolences and prayers to--
                    (A) the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael 
                James Riddering, particularly his wife, Amy, and their 
                children, Haley, Delaney, Biba, and Moise; and
                    (B) the individuals touched by the life of Michael 
                James Riddering, including the dedicated aid workers, 
                missionaries, and volunteers that continue to 
                selflessly engage in important humanitarian and 
                development efforts; and
            (5) pledges to continue to work to counter violent 
        extremism, including through education and community 
        development, in the United States and abroad.
                                 <all>