*EPF515 06/07/2002
Text: Congressman Grieves Death of Martin Burnham in the Philippines
(June 7 statement from office of Rep. Todd Tiahrt) (325)

Representative Todd Tiahrt (Republican of Kansas) issued a statement June 7 on the death of American medical missionary Martin Burnham in a firefight between Philippine armed forces and members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group that held the slain missionary and his wife. Gracia Burnham was wounded in the rescue attempt.

"I am thankful and rejoice in the fact that Gracia is safe and will soon be reunited with her children," said Tiahrt, whose district was home to the couple.

Tiahrt often spoke in the House of Representatives on the plight of the two missionaries held by the Philippine terror group that has links with the Al Qaida terrorist organization.

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Tiahrt Response to Martin Burnham's Death

U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt has released the following statement in response to the announcement that a Philippine firefight resulted in the death of Martin Burnham and the rescue of Gracia Burnham.

"I'm deeply grieved about Martin's death and certainly had hoped and prayed this would not be the outcome. I am thankful and rejoice in the fact that Gracia is safe and will soon be reunited with her children. Paul Burnham said, 'The Lord will give us strength to get through this.' Those are word in which we should all find comfort and encouragement. The Burnhams will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

"My office has been contacting U.S. and Philippine officials to discover what happened. I am hopeful we will learn from this tragic incident to avoid similar situations in the future."

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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