September 15, 1983
On behalf of all Americans, I salute the House and Senate for their overwhelming, bipartisan
support of a resolution condemning the Soviet Union's murder of 269 innocent people aboard
KAL 007. This wanton, barbaric act violated the most basic principle of international law and
morality -- the sanctity of human life.
The Kremlin is on notice: When it comes to responding to its aggression, there are no
Republicans or Democrats -- only Americans, united and determined to protect our freedom and
secure the peace.
I urge the American people to stand by the families whose loved ones were taken from them. And
let us appeal to the conscience of the civilized world: The passengers of KAL 007 must never be
forgotten; nor must we rest until the world can prevent such a crime against humanity from ever
happening again.