Statement in the US House of Representatives June
6, 2002, by Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney:

Mr. Speaker, I speak to commemorate and recognize
the tragic attack that took place against the
U.S.S. Liberty on June 8, 1967. Although
thirty-five years have come and gone since this
historic event, the survivors of the U.S.S.
Liberty are still struggling with the fact that
their story has never been heard. 

While there has never been an official
investigation into this event, we have learned
from survivor accounts that for over 75 minutes
the Israeli Defense Forces attacked the U.S.S.
Liberty, killing 34 American soldiers and wounding
an additional 172. With over 85% of the crew
either dead or wounded, they somehow managed to
keep the ship afloat after being hit by over 1000
rounds of rocket, cannon, machine gun, napalm
hits, and even a direct hit from a torpedo. 

This unprovoked attack took place in international
waters, and by a trusted ally. The only
explanation given to the survivors and their
families as to why this attack took place was that
it was an accident and that their ship was not
identified as being American, regardless of the
fact that our flag was proudly flown throughout
the attack. Unfortunately, that explanation is not
good enough for those whose lives have been
impacted by this attack, and it should not be good
enough for the American people. Let's not wait
another thirty-five years before we provide the
survivors of the U.S.S. Liberty an official
investigation into why this attack took place and
allow them to tell their story. We owe them more
than a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice; we
owe them the truth.