House Condemns Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

The House has just passed a resolution condemning the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirming the commitment of the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan. Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the bill this morning:

Speaker Pelosi: "Benazir Bhutto, about 15 years ago she came to this chamber of the Congress, one of the first women ever to address a joint session of Congress. Only in her 30's, I believe, at the time, she inspired us, she filled us with hope and the confidence which she projected gave us the confidence that democracy could come to Pakistan. That was a while ago, and much has transpired since then. She's been in and out and in again as prime minister. And as you know when she returned to Pakistan it was to participate in election to take Pakistan back down the path to democracy. Her return was courageous."