September 16, 2004—WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Reps. Curt Weldon (R-PA), Mark Souder (R-IN), and Trent Franks (R-AZ) announced that they will hold a press conference Friday, September 17, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at the Office of the North Ossetian Delegation to the President of the Russian Federation, Pokrovskii Boulevard, to sign the condolence book and lay a wreath at the office, in memory of the Beslan victims.  Members of the delegation will present leaders of the North Ossetian region with an official copy of House Resolution 760, which condemns the series of terrorist attacks against the Russian Federation occurring in late August and early September of this year.  The resolution is signed by the speaker of the House of Representatives J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL).  They will also present an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in memory of the victims of the recent terrorist attack, and a letter from New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The three member delegation represents the U.S. Congress and is the first delegation of elected officials to travel to the country of Russia to offer solidarity with the Russian people during their darkest hours following the horrific terrorist attacks at Middle School No. 1 in Beslan, Rizhskaya Subway Station, and Sibir Airlines flight 1047 and Volg-Avia Express Flight 1303.

While in Moscow, Weldon, Souder, and Franks will visit with victims of the Moscow and Beslan terrorist attacks.  The Representatives will deliver a wreath of flowers to honor the more than 300 adults and children who were victims of the deadly terrorist attack.

WHO:       Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN), and Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)

WHAT:     Presenting House Resolution 760 and laying flower wreath in memory of victims

WHEN:    Friday, September 17, 2004 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: North Ossetian Republic Office, Pokrovskii Boulevard

CONTACTS: Angela Sowa (202) 225-2011 (Weldon) Martin Green (202) 225-4436 (Souder) and Elaine Dalbo (202) 225-4576 (Franks).