Mr. LIPINSKI. We have all heard of the tragic events that occurred over the weekend in Russia where an official delegation from Poland, including President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady, and 94 others, were killed in a plane crash.

This tragedy is made only more painful by the fact that they were traveling to commemorate the Katyn massacre, the 1940 murder of more than 20,000 Polish officers, intellectuals, and others by the Soviet secret police.

The citizens of the United States and Poland have a deep and long-lasting friendship based on mutual values and respect, and we are proud to call Poland a trusted and close ally.

Today we are joined by Polish Ambassador Robert Kupiecki and others from the Polish Embassy. As we mourn the loss of the President and other members of the Polish delegation, we extend our most solemn condolences to their families, the people of Poland, and those of Polish descent everywhere.

I now request that we observe a moment of silence to honor those who passed away in this tragic event.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

The SPEAKER. The Chair asks that the House now observe a moment of silence in solidarity with the people of Poland and in remembrance of those who lost their lives in that terrible tragedy.