ACR192

A Concurrent Resolution condemning the terrorist attack on New Jersey native Jay Austin and Lauren Geoghegan by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Whereas, Jay Austin, a Manalapan New Jersey native, and his companion Lauren Geoghegan were the victims of a terrorist attack while biking on a road in southwest Tajikistan on July 29, 2018 when a sedan, containing Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, purposely drove into them; and

Whereas, Mr. Austin, Ms. Geoghegan, and several other fellow cyclists from Switzerland and the Netherlands all lost their lives in the attack; and

Whereas, Soon after the attack, ISIS released a video of the attackers posing in front of an ISIS flag and vowing to kill “disbelievers”; and

Whereas, Prior to their tragic and violent deaths, Mr. Austin and Ms. Geoghegan both lived extraordinary lives; and

Whereas, After obtaining a master’s degree from Georgetown University, Mr. Austin dedicated himself to public service, working at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and

Whereas, Focusing on relationships and experience, rather than accumulating possessions, Mr. Austin repeatedly sought out adventure through travel; and

Whereas, Similarly, Ms. Geoghegan attended Georgetown University, where she later worked at the admission’s office and like Mr. Austin had a passion for international travel; and

Whereas, Their shared enthusiasm for travel culminated in their most ambitious adventure: a cross country, years long, overseas bike trip that ultimately spanned multiple countries as diverse as South Africa, Morocco, Spain, and France; and

Whereas, Through various challenges, such as extreme weather and illness, Mr. Austin wrote that he and Ms. Geoghegan were always able to rely on the kind acts of strangers to help them through the difficulties they encountered on their journey; and

Whereas, The couple’s positive outlook and enthusiasm for life, like that of so many other victims of terrorism, makes this attack especially tragic; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Legislature condemns this heinous act of violence, which constitutes an affront to American values of tolerance and freedom, values embodied, and expressed so eloquently, by Mr. Austin and Ms. Geoghegan; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The New Jersey Legislature condemns the terrorist attack on New Jersey native Jay Austin and Lauren Geoghegan by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Governor of the State of New Jersey, and to each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution condemns the terrorist attack on Jay Austin and Lauren Geoghegan by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Jay Austin, a Manalapan New Jersey native, and his companion Lauren Geoghegan were the victims of a terrorist attack while biking on a road in southwest Tajikistan on July 29, 2018 when a sedan, containing Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, purposely drove into them. Mr. Austin, Ms. Geoghegan, and several other fellow cyclists lost their lives in the attack. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing a video of the attackers posing in front of an ISIS flag and vowing to kill “disbelievers.”

Before their deaths, Mr. Austin and Ms. Geoghegan both attended Georgetown University. After graduating, Mr. Austin worked at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Ms. Geoghegan worked for the admissions office at Georgetown University. Their shared passion for international travel culminated in an overseas, multi-year bike trip, spanning countries as diverse as South Africa, Morocco, Spain, and France. Mr. Austin wrote that he and Ms. Geoghegan were always able to rely on the kind acts of strangers to help them through the difficulties they encountered on their journey. The couple’s positive outlook and enthusiasm for life, like that of so many other victims of terrorism, makes this attack especially tragic.

The New Jersey Legislature condemns this heinous act of violence, which constitutes an affront to American values of tolerance and freedom, values embodied, and expressed so eloquently, by Mr. Austin and Ms. Geoghegan.