Washington—The Senate today unanimously approved a resolution honoring the heroes who thwarted the August 21 terrorist attack on a French passenger train: Airman Spencer Stone, Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, Mark Moogalian and Chris Norman.

The resolution was introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The resolution was cosponsored by all 100 senators.

Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler are native Californians and grew up together near Sacramento, Calif. Skarlatos currently lives in Roseburg, Ore., Moogalian is a dual citizen of France and the United States, and Norman is a British citizen.

“The courage and selflessness these men displayed was nothing short of heroic,” said Senator Feinstein. “Their disregard for their own safety and quick action to disarm and subdue the gunman saved lives. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”

“The bravery of these young Americans in the face of terror has inspired people across the world,” said Senator McCain. “I can think of no better way than to begin to express our appreciation than to honor the patriotic service and sacrifice of these great American heroes.”

“The unflinching bravery of these men saved lives and averted a tragedy, and they deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration,” said Senator Boxer.

“We can all be proud of those who bravely reacted to quell this terrorist attack,” said Senator Grassley. “As extremists seek to harm innocent people here and around the world, we all must be more vigilant. These men did just that, and undoubtedly saved lives. They deserve our deepest gratitude.”

“By risking their lives to save others, these men showed the world what heroism looks like,” said Senator Wyden. “Their bravery averted a disaster and embodies the best of what Oregon and America represent.”

“The incredible bravery of these men has set an example for all of us and inspired the world,” said Senator Merkley. “Thanks to their quick and selfless actions, a terrible tragedy was averted. They have made Oregon and our nation proud, and deserve our deepest thanks and appreciation.”

Full text of the resolution follows:

Whereas, on Friday, August 21, 2015, United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, college student Anthony Sadler, and others selflessly risked their lives and forcibly subdued a gunman on a train carrying more than 500 passengers;

Whereas the gunman was armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a handgun, a box cutter, and 9 magazines carrying hundreds of rounds of ammunition and could have killed and injured dozens of passengers had the gunman not been stopped;

Whereas Mark Moogalian, a 51 year old French-American professor and musician, courageously attempted to subdue the gunman and wrestled the Kalashnikov away from the gunman, but was shot by the gunman;

Whereas United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, college student Anthony Sadler, and British consultant Chris Norman took courageous action on their own initiative and forcibly subdued the gunman, rendering the gunman unconscious and tying up the gunman on the floor of the train with t-shirts;

Whereas United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone suffered serious injuries, including a partially severed thumb, from the gunman’s box cutter;

Whereas, notwithstanding his own injuries, United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone treated the wounds and likely saved the life of French-American Mark Moogalian;

Whereas French President Francois Hollande awarded United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, college student Anthony Sadler, and British consultant Chris Norman the highest civilian honor in France, the Legion of Honor, and pledged to do the same for French-American Mark Moogalian and Frenchman Damien A., who also helped thwart the attack;

Whereas the United States Air Force has stated that it will nominate United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone for the Airman’s Medal, the highest award of the Air Force for non-combat bravery;

Whereas the United States Army has nominated Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos for the Soldier’s Medal, the highest award of the Army for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy;

Whereas the Department of Defense will honor United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone with the Purple Heart award and Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos and college student Anthony Sadler each with an award for courage and valor;

Whereas the city of Sacramento recognized the heroism of United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, and college student Anthony Sadler through a Hometown Heroes Parade on the California Capitol Mall on September 11, 2015;

Whereas United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, who is 23 years old and a resident of California, joined the United States Air Force nearly 3 years ago and serves as a medical technician stationed at Lajes Air Base in the Azores;

Whereas Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos is 22 years old and a resident of Oregon and had recently returned to Oregon after a 9 month deployment in Afghanistan;

Whereas Anthony Sadler is 23 years old, a resident of California, and is a student studying kinesiology at the California State University at Sacramento; and

Whereas United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, and college student Anthony Sadler were childhood friends raised in the Sacramento area who were on vacation in Europe together at the time they courageously and selflessly thwarted a terrorist attack and saved countless lives: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) honors and commends the extraordinary bravery, courage, and heroism of United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, Oregon Army National Guard Specialist Aleksander Skarlatos, college student Anthony Sadler, French-American Mark Moogalian, British consultant Chris Norman, and Frenchman Damien A., who selflessly risked their own lives to prevent a terrorist attack that could have killed dozens aboard a passenger train bound for Paris; and

(2) extends best wishes for a full recovery to all innocent individuals who were injured during the attack, including United States Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone and French-American Mark Moogalian.