[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 464 Received in Senate (RDS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 464


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 11, 2002

                                Received

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of the Congress on the anniversary of the 
 terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 
                                 2001.

Whereas on September 11, 2001, while Americans were attending to their daily 
        routines, terrorists hijacked and destroyed four civilian aircraft, 
        crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New 
        York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.;
Whereas the valor of the passengers and crew on the fourth aircraft prevented it 
        from also being used as a weapon against America;
Whereas thousands of innocent Americans were killed and injured as a result of 
        these attacks, including the passengers and crew of the four aircraft, 
        workers in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, rescue workers, 
        and bystanders, making these attacks the deadliest terrorist attacks 
        ever launched against the United States;
Whereas when the gravest moments came, many regular Americans, relying on 
        courage, instinct, and grace, rushed toward the flaming buildings in 
        order to rescue or toward terrorist-controlled cockpits in order to 
        resist;
Whereas by targeting symbols of American strength and success, these attacks 
        clearly were intended to assail the principles, values, and freedoms of 
        the United States and the American people, intimidate the Nation, and 
        weaken the national resolve;
Whereas while the States of New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania bore the brunt 
        of the terrorist attacks, every State and Territory and all Americans 
        were affected and mourned these tragic losses;
Whereas Americans reached out to help strangers who had lost loved ones, 
        colleagues, and their businesses;
Whereas local, State, and Federal leaders set aside differences and worked 
        together to provide for those who were attacked and to protect those who 
        remained;
Whereas Americans continue to repair damage to buildings and the economy, while 
        relishing the freedoms they enjoy as Americans;
Whereas on September 14, 2001, in Public Law 107-40, Congress authorized the use 
        of ``all necessary and appropriate force'' against those responsible for 
        the terrorist attacks;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces subsequently moved swiftly against Al 
        Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, whom the President and 
        Congress had identified as enemies of America;
Whereas, in so doing, brave servicemen and women left family and friends in 
        order to defend the Nation;
Whereas a year later, many servicemen and women remain abroad, shielding the 
        Nation from further terrorist attacks;
Whereas, while the passage of a year has not softened the memory of the American 
        people, resolved their grief, or restored lost loved ones, it has shown 
        that Americans will not bow to terrorists;
Whereas the Congress has passed, and the President has signed, numerous laws 
        providing additional resources for the overseas effort against 
        terrorism, as well as additional tools for Federal, State, and local law 
        enforcement and judicial systems to protect Americans at home; and
Whereas the Government reexamined the need for domestic security and the 
        Congress is currently considering legislation to create a Department of 
        Homeland Security with the specific mission of preventing further 
        attacks: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those 
        taken from their families, loved ones, and fellow citizens and 
        a day for Americans to recommit to the Nation, to their 
        freedoms, and to each other;
            (2) extends its deepest sympathies to the countless 
        innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 
        their families, friends, and loved ones;
            (3) honors the heroic actions of first responders, law 
        enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, 
        and others who aided the innocent victims and, in so doing, 
        bravely risked their own lives and long-term health;
            (4) stands in great debt with the American people to the 
        members of the Armed Forces serving both at home and abroad;
            (5) praises the people of the United States for their 
        patriotism, compassion, prayers, and generosity in donating 
        time and money to support the innocent victims of the September 
        11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved 
        ones;
            (6) expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders 
        and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to 
        stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism in 
        the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;
            (7) discourages, in the strongest possible terms, any 
        effort to confuse the war on terrorism with a war on any people 
        or any faith;
            (8) commends the President and the brave servicemen and 
        women of the United States Armed Forces in the successful 
        effort to oust the Taliban from power;
            (9) remains resolved to pursue all those responsible for 
        the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and their sponsors 
        until they are discovered and punished; and
            (10) reaffirms that Congress will honor the memory of those 
        who lost their lives as a result of the September 11, 2001, 
        terrorist attacks and will defend bravely the citizens of the 
        United States in the face of all future challenges.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 11, 2002.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.