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The Tragedy of Flight MH17

July 24, 2014
Speeches

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)expressed his deepest sympathies for all those affected by the tragedy of flight MH17.

Below is a video and transcript of the speech.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sympathy for all of those affected by the tragedy of flight MH17.

It's unthinkable that a commercial airliner would ever be shot down from the sky by a surface-to-air missile, and yet that's exactly what happened in a part of Ukraine controlled by Russian separatists.

The evidence seems to point to one perpetrator, one party intent on inflicting pain and suffering upon the innocent.

The fire of Ukraine's crisis has undoubtedly been fueled by Russia and its operatives.

So let this senseless tragedy serve as a wake-up call to the international community.

This conflict could end today. It is in Mr. Putin's hands.

But until then, I support the sanctions that the United States has already levied against Russia and I stand strongly with the people of Ukraine in their struggle for autonomy and sovereignty.

My heart will forever go out to all those lost in this horrific act of war and the loved ones they leave behind.