Senate honors slain Hoosier; condemns ISIS

Kassig was a military veteran who returned to Middle East to provide aid to refugees.
Kassig was a military veteran who returned to Middle East to provide aid to refugees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate is honoring Hoosier Abdul-Rahman (Peter) Kassig, unanimously passing a resolution introduced by Senators Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Dan Coats (R-Ind.).

The measure expresses condolences to Kassig’s family and pays tribute to Kassig’s extraordinary humanitarian work.

In addition, the resolution condemns the terrorist acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and urges the U.S. and international community to work together to address the threat posed by ISIL and the suffering of innocent civilians impacted by the conflict.

Coats said, “We come together today to honor Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig for his benevolent service to others and express our condolences to his loved ones. It is truly a tragedy that a man who helped so many in need had his life cut short. This Hoosier was a bright light in a dark place of difficulty and suffering.”

Donnelly said, “With the unanimous support of the Senate, we came together to honor Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig for his selfless dedication to serving those most in need throughout the Middle East. He represented the best qualities of humanity through his work administering medical aid and providing food and shelter to those impacted by the war in Syria. As we honor Abdul-Rahman’s life and extend condolences to his family, we also collectively denounce ISIL’s terrorist acts and call for the release of hostages still held by ISIL.”