[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 731 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 731

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                       October 1, 2009.
Whereas it has been 8 years since the horrific terrorist attacks against the 
        United States and its people on September 11, 2001;
Whereas terrorists around the world continue to plot and plan attacks against 
        the United States and its interests and foreign allies;
Whereas, as evidenced by a suicide bomb attack in Jerusalem that killed 22 
        people and wounded 140 on March 27, 2002, a car bomb that exploded 
        outside a Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 5, 2003, 
        killing 10 people and wounding 150, 10 bombs that exploded on 4 commuter 
        trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, killing 191 people, a major anti-
        terrorist operation by British Police disrupts an alleged bomb plot 
        targeting multiple airplanes bound for the United States flying through 
        Heathrow Airport, near London on August 10, 2006, and the shooting and 
        bombing attacks in Mumbai, India, on November 26, 2008, the thwarted 
        terrorist attacks targeting the Brooklyn Bridge in March 2003, Herald 
        Square in New York City in 2004, the PATH Tunnel trains in New York and 
        New Jersey in 2006, the U.S. Army Base at Fort Dix, New Jersey in May 
        2007, JFK International Airport in June 2007, and the Air National Guard 
        base in Newburgh, New York and synagogues in Riverdale and the Bronx, 
        New York in 2009, citizens across the country and in the world should 
        remain vigilant, prepared, and informed;
Whereas during the month of September, the Nation observes National Preparedness 
        Month which is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, and 
        encourages all citizens to prepare themselves and their families for 
        possible emergencies by getting an emergency supply kit that will last 
        72 hours, making a family emergency plan, being informed, and getting 
        involved in the community in organizations such as Citizen Corps, which 
        actively involves citizens in making our communities and our Nation 
        safer, stronger, and better prepared;
Whereas acts of terrorism can exact a tragic human toll, resulting in 
        significant numbers of casualties and disrupting hundreds of thousands 
        of lives, causing serious damage to our Nation's critical 
        infrastructure, and inflicting billions of dollars of costs on both our 
        public and private sectors;
Whereas in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continuing 
        grave threat of terrorism, Congress established the Department of 
        Homeland Security in March 2003, bringing together 22 disparate Federal 
        entities, enhancing their capabilities with major new divisions 
        emphasizing terrorism-related information analysis, infrastructure 
        protection, and science and technology, and focusing their employees on 
        the critical mission of defending our Nation against acts of terrorism;
Whereas since its creation, the employees of the Department of Homeland Security 
        have endeavored to carry out this mission with commendable dedication, 
        working with other Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies and 
        partners at all levels of Government to help secure our Nation's 
        borders, airports, seaports, critical infrastructure, and communities 
        against terrorist attacks;
Whereas our Nation's firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical 
        personnel, and other first responders selflessly and repeatedly risk 
        their lives to fulfill their new mission of helping to prevent, protect 
        against, and prepare to respond to acts of terrorism, major disasters, 
        and other emergencies;
Whereas State, local, territorial, and tribal government officials, the private 
        sector, and ordinary citizens across the country have been working in 
        cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal 
        Government agencies to enhance our ability to prevent, deter, protect 
        against, and prepare to respond to acts of terrorism;
Whereas all people of the United States can assist in promoting our Nation's 
        overall terrorism and emergency preparedness by remaining vigilant and 
        alert, reporting suspicious activity to proper authorities, and 
        preparing themselves and their families for potential terrorist attacks; 
        and
Whereas all people of the United States should take the opportunity during 
        National Preparedness Month in September 2009 to take steps at home, 
        work, and school to enhance their ability to assist in preventing, 
        protecting against, and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the public servants of the Department of Homeland 
        Security and other Federal agencies for their outstanding contributions 
        to our Nation's homeland security;
            (2) salutes the dedication of State, local, territorial, and tribal 
        government officials, the private sector, and citizens across the 
        country for their efforts to enhance the Nation's ability to prevent, 
        deter, protect against, and prepare to respond to potential acts of 
        terrorism;
            (3) expresses the Nation's appreciation for the sacrifices and 
        commitment of our law enforcement and emergency response personnel in 
        preventing and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism;
            (4) supports the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month as 
        they relate to the threat of terrorism; and
            (5) urges the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, 
        nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of 
        the United States to observe National Preparedness Month with 
        appropriate events and activities that promote citizen and community 
        preparedness to respond to acts of terrorism.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.