[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 11, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5503-H5590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING
TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST UNITED STATES
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a joint resolution (H. J. Res. 61),
expressing the sense of the Senate and House of Representatives
regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on
September 11, 2001, and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate
consideration pursuant to the following order:
Debate on the joint resolution shall be limited to 3 hours equally
divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader;
After opening speeches, the majority leader and the minority leader
each may yield the remainder of his time to the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on International Relations,
respectively, who may control that time;
The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint
resolution to final passage without intervening motion; and
Following passage of the joint resolution and upon receipt of a
message that the Senate has passed an identical joint resolution, the
House shall be considered to have passed the Senate joint resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the joint resolution.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.J. Res. 61
Whereas on September 11, 2001, 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 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;
Whereas these attacks destroyed both towers of the World
Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously
damaged the Pentagon; and
Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist
attacks ever launched against the United States, and, by
targeting symbols of American strength and success, clearly
were intended to intimidate our Nation and weaken its
resolve: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That
Congress--
(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorists
who planned and carried out the September 11, 2001, attacks
against the United States, as well as their sponsors;
(2) extends its deepest condolences to the victims of these
heinous and cowardly attacks, as well as to their families,
friends, and loved ones;
(3) is certain that the people of the United States will
stand united as our Nation begins the process of recovering
and rebuilding in the aftermath of these tragic acts;
(4) commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers,
volunteers, and State and local officials who responded to
these tragic events with courage, determination, and skill;
(5) declares that these premeditated attacks struck not
only at the people of America, but also at the symbols and
structures of our economic and military strength, and that
the United States is entitled to respond under international
law;
(6) thanks those foreign leaders and individuals who have
expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath
of the attacks, and asks them to continue to stand with the
United States in the war against international terrorism;
(7) commits to support increased resources in the war to
eradicate terrorism;
(8) supports the determination of the President, in close
consultation with Congress, to bring to justice and punish
the perpetrators of these attacks as well as their sponsors;
and
(9) declares that September 12, 2001, shall be a National
Day of Unity and Mourning, and that when Congress adjourns
today, it stands adjourned out of respect to the victims of
the terrorist attacks.
{time} 1500
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) and the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) each will control 90 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey).
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is a time when we should choose our words carefully
and deliver them deliberately.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a resolution that shows our utter
contempt and our total resolve after the acts of yesterday. America was
attacked yesterday, Mr. Speaker, an evil, cowardly act of war against
the American people and against the lovers of freedom across this
globe.
It is, Mr. Speaker, because of the goodness of the American people
that they find it so impossible to understand such acts of barbarism.
It is, Mr. Speaker, because of our commitment to peace and freedom and
love that we do not understand how people can do these things.
But, Mr. Speaker, there are things the American people do understand.
We understand the heartbreak of the families of those victims of this
atrocity who lost their lives. We as a Nation come together with
empathy. Our hearts cry out for the loss, the injustice, the
mindlessness of it, the cruelty and the waste; and we come together as
a Nation to console one another.
Mr. Speaker, we Americans understand the heroism that is demonstrated
by our citizens, the quiet heroism of those ordinary working men and
women in America who went to work
[[Page H5504]]
yesterday, to do their duty to themselves, their family, their jobs, to
one another, quietly and ordinarily.
We understand especially in such dramatic terms the heroism of the
firemen and the policemen that rushed to the danger to be of service
and help and relief and perhaps to actually save people they did not
even know.
We understand the heroism of the servicemen and women, quietly going
about their job, working for the security of America, for the
preservation of freedom, who were assaulted at their desks yesterday;
who picked up the pieces, ran to each other's aid, putting their
Pentagon back together the best they can, and who will continue to be
vigilant for freedom and democracy across this globe.
We understand that heroism. And the reason we understand that, Mr.
Speaker, is that is who we are. We are a heroic nation. We would prefer
to be a quietly heroic nation, doing the mundane things in the ordinary
business of life; but, if we are called upon, we will be a heroic
nation that will run to the distressed to lend our hand. And we have
proven that.
Mr. Speaker, we are also a nation of people who understand justice,
freedom, democracy, and, Mr. Speaker, security; and that understanding
of these values that we hold so deep, Mr. Speaker, should not be
underestimated. It is that understanding that allows me to say now, you
will be found, those of you who perpetrated this horrible act; you will
be found, and you will be made to pay.
Mr. Speaker, we also understand what is required of great nations in
the service of civilization in this world; and that understanding runs
deep in America. It, too, is who we are. And we understand that that
commitment to civilized nations, respecting one another and treating
our citizens with decency, is why this great nation will not be
compelled, not even tempted, in the face of this catastrophe to change
its course.
No, Mr. Speaker. We will stand together with the great nations of
this world who love civilization, democracy, freedom, and decency; and
we know they will stand with us at this time.
Mr. Speaker, we will stand against tyranny, as we have done. Do not
underestimate us in our resolve. This great nation of heroes, who
throughout its entire history loved freedom so much that it risked its
peace even to defend the freedoms of others, will defend its own
freedom.
And for you nations in this globe who would harbor the terrorists,
who would condone terrorism, who might even support the terrorists,
make no mistake about it; you will be held responsible by this great
nation, and by all the great nations of this world that love freedom,
peace and decency.
Mr. Speaker, there is another thing that we Americans understand. We
understand faith. We understand the faith of our fathers, we understand
that in America we have the wonderful opportunity to have faith in
things that are good; and, Mr. Speaker, we understand that by the
commitment of our understandings of the goodness of the people, the
goodness of our way of life, the goodness of people across the world
who love freedom, in the end that faith tells us that good will defeat
evil. And all the victims of yesterday will be vindicated by a world
that will live free and decent in respect for one another, citizens of
all nations and creeds and for our own citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for bringing this resolution
with me and all of our Members. I appreciate his cooperation, the
cooperation of the Speaker, and all the leaders of Congress, all the
Members.
Mr. Speaker, this is a moment for all of us as a people to rise to
the occasion, to rise to the challenge. We bring this resolution
forward with a heavy heart, but with an unbowed spirit to condemn with
one voice the senseless acts of heinous violence that were committed
against thousands of our people, to send a signal that we are
determined to begin the healing process, and to serve notice that we
will take immediate decisive steps in the days ahead to make sure that
this never, ever happens again on American soil.
Today we gather in sorrow for the military heroes who have lost their
lives at the Pentagon, for the thousands of Americans in New York who
lost their lives in the horrible explosions at the World Trade Center,
and for the countless brave Americans who perished on airplanes
hijacked by ruthless terrorists and made into instruments of mass
destruction.
We salute the incredible, wonderful, heroic rescue workers, medical
personnel, firemen and firewomen, policemen and policewomen, who
literally ran back in the buildings that crashed around their heads in
order to save the lives of others. At this very moment as we meet on
the House floor, countless rescue workers are still fighting tirelessly
to find people who might be alive in the rubble and trying to bring
life back to them, and hundreds of individual unnamed Americans are
stepping forward to volunteer, to give blood, to give money, to give
time, to volunteer to participate to save lives and to bring people
back.
We have been so moved by the pictures on the television of rescue
workers trying to bring people back to life. I have been moved by their
patriotism, by their bravery, their resolve, their willpower, their
love for other people at a time of great danger for themselves.
This generation of Americans is rising to the occasion, as Americans
have always done. I have watched these rescue workers, their bodies
covered in soot and dirt and blood, sitting on sidewalks, trying to get
their breath, trying to find their surroundings, operating without
sleep and help, doing everything in their power as human beings to help
others, and giving their lives in order to do it.
In the days ahead, we are going to hear more stories of more heroes,
true-to-life heroes, who sacrificed in all kind of ways; and,
unfortunately, we are going to hear more stories about more victims who
succumbed to the violence of these terrorists.
In the days to come we as a Congress will be taking the steps to
restore American national security and to punish those responsible for
this act of war against the United States of America. We will not rest
until we find the perpetrators of this highest, most heinous act of
crime against our people and against the United States and against
civilization and against humanity. This is war; and we will do
everything in our power together to make sure that terrorists never,
ever again can create this mayhem, this chaos, this violence against
our people and our country.
This resolution makes clear terrorism is a different, sinister kind
of threat that faces all Americans and all people of this world. It
demands the strongest possible response from our Congress and from our
country.
We must review our priorities for spending on national defense and
put necessary resources into programs to combat this threat, to ensure
that what happened yesterday never, ever happens again.
This Congress is united, Democrats, Independents, Republicans. There
is no light or air between us. We stand shoulder to shoulder. We will
trust one another in the days ahead. We will trust the White House, and
we will ask to be trusted in the highest sense of that word, to find
the answers that we can agree on to solve this problem, once and for
all.
{time} 1515
Freedom, freedom in America has burned for everyone in this world for
over 200 years. Freedom was founded by our founding ancestors. What
happened yesterday changes the nature of freedom in this country and
every country forever. We live in a new world, and we will never go
back. As leaders, we must find a new balance with our people between
freedom and security. We must summon among ourselves our highest and
best thought, our highest and best action, so that we can help lead our
citizens to a new understanding in a new world of what it means to be
free and also secure.
Freedom will not be defeated because of the power of our ideas, the
values of our democracy and humanity, and because of the wonderful,
heroic American people who each day breathe life into the ideas of
freedom and democracy.
I ask my colleagues to vote for this resolution to condemn this
attack, the
[[Page H5505]]
worst attack in the beloved history of America; and let us move forward
as one Nation, one people, for the sake of every single person on this
entire planet who believes in freedom and believes in civilization and
believes in humanity.
Let me end with the words of an old hymn that I love so much. We ask
today for God's help. When we face the unexplainable, when we face
evil, we must turn to God. As the hymn said, ``And he will raise you up
on eagles' wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you shine like
the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.''
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Gephardt), the minority leader, for his comments and for his
cosponsorship of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the chairman of the Committee on International
Relations.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).
General Leave
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous matter on the legislation under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Six decades ago, Sir Winston Churchill wrote words that are just as
salient today as they were then: ``Civilization will not last,'' he
wrote, ``freedom will not survive, peace will not be kept, unless a
very large majority of mankind unite together to defend them.''
Mounting that defense requires leadership. Freedom will not be
defended without leadership. Human decency will not be defended without
leadership. America was attacked yesterday because of what she is and
because of what she stands for. America must now take the lead in
rallying the forces necessary to defeat terrorism throughout the world.
It is a standard plot in science fiction. Humanity: fractious,
divided, conflicted humanity, unites at last to face together the
threat of an invasion from aliens. What happened yesterday was not the
doing of aliens. It was not something that came from ``out there.'' It
was something that came from below, from that corner of hell where the
most wicked sentiments in the human heart fester. Is it possible to
imagine that, confronted with evil of this magnitude humanity, or at
least Churchill's very large majority of humanity, will unite to defeat
the common enemy? We must hope so. But we must also act, for American
leadership is essential in gathering the friends of civilization to the
common defense.
Let us be very clear, let the American people be very clear and,
indeed, let the world be clear about what happened yesterday. This was
not a ``tragedy'' in the strict sense of the word. A ``tragedy,'' as we
remember from Greek drama, is something inevitable, a fate from which
there is no escape. What happened on September 11, 2001, was no more a
tragedy than what happened on December 7, 1941.
And here is the full meaning of the analogy that so many have drawn
to Pearl Harbor: what happened yesterday was a willful, deliberate act
of aggression. Its purpose was destruction: to kill Americans in order
to demoralize the American people, destabilize American democracy, and
wreak havoc with the American economy. While we extend our love and
sympathy to the thousands who did indeed experience wrenching personal
tragedies yesterday, we must be clear about the meaning of these acts.
These were acts of war against the United States of America, against
the American people, and against the rights and freedoms for which
America stands in the world. These were acts of demonic evil whose
perpetrators have disqualified themselves from membership in the human
race.
Wars have been fought for many reasons in 5,000 years of recorded
human history. Wars have been fought for territory, for ideology, for
plunder, for conquest. This war in which we are now engaged, and this
is war, not ``crime'' in the ordinary sense of the term, is a war for
civilization itself. It is a war that pits the defenders of human
rights, the defenders of democracy against those who hate America
precisely because she is the preeminent symbol, the greatest
contemporary embodiment of human rights and democracy. We were a target
yesterday because of what we stand for, because of who we are. In
defending ourselves, we are defending everyone in the world who
believes in the rights of man, everyone who believes that democratic
politics, not mass violence, is the way to conduct public affairs.
Expressions of resolve are important today, as are expressions of
sympathy and solidarity; but there must be more. It is imperative that
we understand that we are in a war. It is imperative we take the steps
necessary, in both terms of policy and funding, to make sure we win
that war. In doing so, we defend ourselves and we defend the hope which
touches hearts around the world that this new century will see the
triumph of freedom and the vindication of the democratic idea in human
affairs.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I first would like to identify myself with
the powerful statements of the Republican leader, the Democratic
leader, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), my good friend, the
chairman of the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I urge
all of my colleagues to approve it without delay and without dissent.
Yesterday, the world's greatest democracy suffered one of the most
monstrous acts of terror in human history. This terrorist attack was
not only an attack on the American people, it was an attack on the very
essence of our free and democratic society. It was orchestrated for the
purpose of murdering American citizens and of undermining the American
way of life. We cannot and we shall not permit the perpetrators of this
terror to prevail.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, represents the opening salvo in this new
millennium in America's global struggle against international
terrorism. It is a struggle like no other our Nation has ever faced.
During the century just ended, Americans rose to the challenge to
defeat international Fascism and international communism. Meeting the
challenge of international terrorism again demands all that we as
Americans are capable of mustering.
First, Mr. Speaker, we must close the wounds. As we speak, rescue
teams are risking their lives to save those still buried in the
smoldering rubble. Now is the time for all Americans to extend their
hands, their hearts, and their prayers to the victims and to their
families. We are a people of great compassion, Mr. Speaker; and we must
come together as one Nation to help our fellow Americans in this hour
of need.
Second, we must strengthen our defenses. We must take urgent steps to
prevent such vicious acts of terror from ever being repeated.
Yesterday's dastardly acts exposed our Nation's vulnerabilities. To
ensure that the victims of this terror did not die in vain, we must
prove to the perpetrators and to the world at large that America will
emerge from this tragedy a much stronger nation.
Third, Mr. Speaker, justice must be done. We must marshal all of our
strength and all our intelligence to find and apprehend those who dare
to perpetrate such an act of evil against the United States. We must
punish the guilty, but we must not end there. We must strike back
against terror, destroy the guilty, and shatter their network and those
dictatorships which support and harbor them.
We are not alone in this struggle. In this time of need, we turn to
our friends and allies for assistance and for cooperation. Americans
will not forget those who support us now, and we will not forget those
who do not.
{time} 1530
It has long been the policy of the United States to hold accountable
those who harbor terrorists as sponsors of terrorism. We must now
implement this policy with new vigor.
I call on the Taliban in Afghanistan to turn over Osama bin Laden and
his gang for their proper punishment.
[[Page H5506]]
I call on Yasser Arafat to put back in prison the terrorists he
liberated so unjustly.
I call on Iran to stop supporting the terrorists of Hezbollah who
have brought death and destruction in their wake.
I call on Syria to close the headquarters of the various terrorist
organizations in Damascus.
We must also demand, and I call on Russia, China, and North Korea to
stop selling weapons of mass destruction to countries that harbor
terrorists.
Let us begin here and now by finding a common voice and expressing
our Nation's sense of indignation, sorrow, and firm resolve. Let us
demonstrate here and now the power of democracy.
As a survivor of the Holocaust, Mr. Speaker, I have vowed never to
forget that dark chapter in human history. Yesterday's act of terror
again reminds us of man's unlimited capacity for evil against his
fellow man. This, too, we must never forget.
Yesterday, the United States of America lost its innocence, but
history will show that America found a new unity and a new will to wage
war against international terrorism. Let us begin to write that new
history today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the distinguished former chairman
of the Committee on International Relations.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 11, is another day of
infamy in our Nation's history as our Nation was viciously attacked in
the most devastating act of terrorism in our books of record.
The distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and our
bipartisan leaders are commended for crafting this resolution.
President Bush and the leadership of the House and Senate are commended
for their bipartisan solidarity at this time of our national crisis.
This barbaric attack was a targeted, coordinated act of terrorism
committed against innocent Americans, an attack on our leading economic
and military institutions, and an assault on our efforts to promote
peace and freedom throughout the world.
To the victims and families of this tragedy, to the courageous rescue
workers, and New York's finest and bravest firemen and police who have
paid the ultimate price, to the people of New York and Washington and
elsewhere around the world, we extend our heartfelt prayers and
condolences.
Our Nation is grateful to the international community, who have
expressed their concerns and who stand by us today against
international terrorism. It is important that the international
community condemns all those nations which provide any safe haven for
terrorists, holding them equally responsible and accountable.
In the Congress, we stand behind our President, our Armed Forces, and
our law enforcement agencies in our efforts to bring these vicious
criminals to justice. America's war against terrorists has only just
begun.
In light of yesterday's attack, we must now fully review all of our
policies toward international terrorism, our airport security, and our
intelligence capability. We must take all the necessary steps to make
certain that this kind of a massacre is never repeated.
We must make certain, too, that upon anyone who attacks the freedom
of our country will be brought to bear the full resolve of our great
Nation. America is no fallen tower, America stands strong and united,
and we must use all of our means to pursue these perpetrators of crimes
against our humanity.
God bless our Nation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 4 minutes to my good
friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), the distinguished
Democratic whip.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding time to
me. I congratulate him on a very important and eloquent statement.
Mr. Speaker, today we grieve together as a Nation. We grieve for the
sons and the daughters, the mothers and the fathers, the friends and
the colleagues who were murdered in yesterday's savage attack. We shed
tears with thousands of families whose lives have been shattered, and
we mourn those courageous fallen heroes who sacrificed their own lives
amid choking stairwells and roaring flames and falling concrete so that
others might live.
It is hard for us to fathom the bitter hatred that could inspire our
attackers to such acts of horror. They drink from a dark and poisoned
well. Hatred is a thirst that can never be quenched, Mr. Speaker. Amid
our own fury, we must strike that cup down.
The United States will act decisively and forcefully to pursue those
guilty of this slaughter wherever they may be hiding, and mete out
justice that is swift and severe. As the dust settles today, we find
ourselves confronting an enemy that is both evil and elusive, but the
world must know that America now stands stronger than ever, a Nation
sworn to defend freedom, tolerance, diversity, and democracy. Those
terrorists who attempt to extinguish our spirit must know that these
are ideals we Americans will never surrender.
Mr. Speaker, I come from Michigan. It is the home of hundreds of
thousands of Arab Americans and American Muslims. Already, leaders in
their community, patriotic Americans who give so much to this country,
who have condemned these attacks and who are as sickened by the carnage
as everyone else, have been receiving death threats, and their families
live in fear.
Such hateful prejudice offends us all. I shared these sentiments just
hours ago with the President at the White House. Even as we struggle to
clear away the rubble and the charred wreckage, our wounds, as we mourn
our dead and seek ultimate justice, America must also stand together
against this type of bigotry.
Mr. Speaker, we are all in this together, Americans who share a
common grief and outrage. All Americans of all faiths, Christians,
Muslims, Jews, we all condemn this cowardly act of terrorism.
Over the past 24 hours, many people have said that America will never
be the same, and in many ways that is true. We struggle to comprehend
our sudden and terrible loss of countless loved ones, of national
innocence, of a sense that America was somehow invulnerable to a chaos
that always seemed so very far away.
Each of us will be asked to do more, to give more, to join our fellow
citizens to defend the freedoms and the values we cherish. As we have
heard on this floor already, people are already answering the call. We
have seen thousands of people lining up to donate blood, families
offering shelter to victims they do not even know, neighbors embracing
neighbors, congregations joining in prayer.
We in this House pledge to do our part, to work together as never
before, to join the President and our many allies around the world to
defend our land and our liberty. From this conflagration, the world
will see an America emerge that is stronger and more united than ever
before, always and forever a beacon for the best in the human spirit.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I think all of us send our condolences and prayers out
to every American family that was harmed by this cowardly act to our
Nation. We want the victims to know that none of them is alone. Every
American grieves with them.
We are standing beside them, and we will never, ever forget the
Americans who fell yesterday. We have all been unified by this tragedy,
and we will get through it together. Just as it has in every crisis
before this, the strength of our faith will strengthen our Nation.
Faith endures as the great and abiding source of our fortitude. Every
American is grateful for the countless acts of heroism from the men and
women who fought through the chaos to aid these victims. Their actions
make all of us so proud to be Americans, and we salute their courage.
Today this Chamber has no divisions. We stand united behind President
Bush. Our President should use any and all means necessary to avenge
the lives of our fallen countrymen.
[[Page H5507]]
Yesterday, agents of evil may have declared war against freedom, but
they failed to bend the iron of American resolve. Tempered by tragedy,
our commitment to America's founding principles and the service of
freedom has only grown stronger this afternoon. We are at war with the
forces of terrorism.
We will draw no empty distinctions between those who physically carry
out these acts and the people, organizations, and governments who aid,
abet, and shelter the enemies of freedom.
The United States is fully committed to sweeping this aggression from
this Earth, and our enemies will eventually discover the most powerful
force on Earth is the united will of the American people when we are
behind a single objective. Today that mission is clear. Our duty as
Americans requires unending hostility against the forces of terrorism.
The architects of this calculated wickedness will find no safe harbor
in this world. We will chase our enemies to the furthest corner of the
Earth. It must be war without quarter, pursuit without rest, victory
without qualification. We will not take a single step backward. We will
not be dissuaded. We will not yield. Our retribution is certain, and
America will never rest until we destroy this threat to liberty by
defeating the agents and supporters of terrorism.
With the strength of our convictions and the grace of God in a
righteous cause, we will prevail. Mr. Speaker, I, too, ask for God to
bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the distinguished Democratic whip for
reminding us that Americans of all religious beliefs are equally
opposed to this horrendous practice of terrorism. Let me remind my
colleagues that the last three military engagements we participated
in--in Kuwait, in Bosnia, and in Kosovo--were on behalf of people of
the Muslim faith.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was an horrific day. On September 11, 2001,
international outlaws committed a cowardly, barbaric assault against
the United States of America, against innocent civilians, and against
the brave, honorable men and women of our military.
That makes today, Mr. Speaker, a very difficult but very important
day for all of us: a day of grief, of outrage, of quiet resolve to
bring to justice those responsible for this terrible assault on our
great Nation, and to ensure that it never happens again.
Today, Mr. Speaker, we grieve for the untold thousands of innocent
Americans whose lives were shattered by a calculated, cold-blooded act
of mass murder. We especially grieve for the passengers and crew of
Flight 77, Flight 11, Flight 93, and Flight 175; for those serving
their country at the Pentagon, both civilian and military, who have
been killed; and for the thousands killed or injured at the World Trade
Center.
Today, Mr. Speaker, we also recognize all those Americans who
responded to those terrorist acts with heroism, with courage, and with
compassion: the firefighters, police officers, emergency officials and
volunteers who risked their own lives, and some of whom sacrificed
their own lives, to come to the aid of their countrymen and women. They
are American heroes, and this Nation will honor them as such.
{time} 1545
My own district in North Texas, for example, is already awash in
American flags as Americans from all walks of life pay tribute to their
brave countrymen and women. Mr. Speaker, that spirit of unity and of
resolve will characterize America's response to this cowardly barbaric
assault.
Congress will stand united, Democrats and Republicans together, to do
all we can to help the victims of this act of terror and to safeguard
the liberty and security of the American people. And we will stand
together as Americans, regardless of our political affiliation, to find
those responsible for these despicable acts.
We will fully support the President as he builds an international
coalition against this cancer that threatens the entire world, and we
will continue to be united when we respond to the evil of terrorism
with the full force of the United States Government and of the American
people. Make no mistake, the United States of America, supported by our
friends and allies, will win this war.
May God bless the souls of those who died yesterday, and may He
comfort the spirits of their families.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the distinguished vice chairman
of the House Committee on International Relations.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished
chairman Mr. Hyde, and thank him for his very eloquent remarks just a
few moments ago and for all the very moving statements being made on
the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, words, however, are simply inadequate to convey the
utter shock, horror, sorrow, dismay and anger over yesterday's supreme
act of cowardice against innocent Americans. Our prayers and hearts go
out to the victims--the dead and the wounded--and to those who at this
very hour cling to life, horribly trapped under concrete, jagged glass,
and steel.
Our Nation's admiration and respect for the firefighters, police
officers, and medics, many of whom lost their lives in the line of
duty, is deep. Valor, courage, and selflessness were commonplace
yesterday as many rescuers became themselves victims.
Our hearts go out to the victims' families and close friends who
today must cope with their excruciating loss. As shock abates, the
numbing pain of yesterday's terror will leave indelible scars. May God
supernaturally intervene with healing comfort and that peace that
surpasses understanding.
Mr. Speaker, the cowards who perpetrated these crimes against God and
humanity must be brought to justice no matter how long it takes. And by
the grace of God, and the crafting of wise policy initiatives, this
must never be allowed to happen again. We must take all the requisite
steps to win that war which the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde)
spoke of earlier, the war against terrorism.
Those who wish us harm should know, Mr. Speaker, that Americans are
strong, determined, and resilient. America is united; not to be
underestimated. In like manner, President Bush is strong and
determined; fully in charge and not to be underestimated, and will lead
us with boldness as well as prudence.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, America's foundational strength is not to be
found in its military might, significant as that is, or our relative
prosperity, and we are indeed rich in the world's resources, but it is
to be found in our individual and collective faith in and faithfulness
to God. May this horrific act of mass violence compel us to turn anew
to God, seeking healing, restoration, and justice, as well as divine
guidance, so that His will will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the distinguished ranking member
of the House Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, people touched with evil brought
hate and darkness to a land of light and freedom. I need not recount
the details of their crimes. Those will forever be too familiar. I saw
some of the damage firsthand at the Pentagon last night.
The lives that they took, structures that they damaged were not the
true target. Here is what they attacked: the idealist Nation that
guaranties all of its people equality in law and enforces it in deed;
the determined Nation that time and again deploys its finest men and
women to restore peace where it does not exist and maintain peace where
it does; the generous Nation that gives more selfless support to other
countries than any other in history; the steadfast Nation that is the
first one called when disaster strikes, when tragedy erupts, when
fortune's heart turns cold. That is what they attacked.
They killed many Americans; but they did not kill, they could not
kill our idealism, our determination, our generosity, our
steadfastness. They
[[Page H5508]]
could not kill what makes America America.
Shortly after Pearl Harbor, the commander of the Japanese forces,
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, mused, ``I fear we have roused a sleeping
giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.'' Those who assisted in
perpetrating this deed should take those words to heart, because
resolve, too, is in our national character, as Admiral Yamamoto learned
to his eternal regret. We do not go weeping through the streets. We do
not wail and beat our breasts. We just set about methodically and with
great certainty to bring justice.
To those who devised and plotted the attack, I say, you will not find
haven in the world of decent men and women. And the hearts of many
others will be turned against you. If you believe, as the attackers
did, that your own life has no value, America will be glad to cash that
check. And any country that dares harbor you will pay its due.
At the same time, I hope that all Americans will remember another
lesson of the Second World War; that not everyone who looks like our
idea of the enemy actually is the enemy. Tragedy is no excuse to create
new injustice.
Let me extend my sympathies to those of the Congress and to all the
families of the victims, and particularly those who were killed or
wounded while responding to give aid to others. I ask prayers also for
anyone with a loved one in uniform. Indeed, if there is a positive to
be found in all of this, it is that Americans may rediscover their
respect for our military forces.
Toward that end, and as a sign to our attackers of their futility, I
ask that every American who has an American flag to take it outside and
fly it. And if you do not have one, I hope you will get one.
We have been in a quiet war against terrorism for some time. The
difference today is that now everyone knows it. As today's debate will
show, anyone hoping to sow discord or profit from political division
will be disappointed. There are no Republicans or Democrats today,
there are only Americans, proud, somber, resolute and looking forward.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
The United States of America is a great nation with a compelling
history. Over 200 years ago, we overcame long odds to create a new
country and form a more perfect union. Since that time, we have
withstood a depression, assassinations, natural disasters; we fought a
Civil War, two world wars, and the Cold War. We have faced many trials
and many enemies. And each time we have come together as one Nation,
one people; and we have triumphed.
Now we face a new challenge. September 11th, 2001, yesterday, will
indelibly be etched in the minds of every American. It is another day
that will live in infamy. Words alone cannot describe the enormity of
yesterday's events. These vicious terrorist attacks represent nothing
less than a declaration of war against our Nation. And as with any war,
we must fight to win.
We must use every investigative and military resource at our disposal
to find and punish the individuals and governments responsible for
these reprehensible crimes. The full power of the United States should
be brought to bear against the cowards who carried out these attacks
against innocent men, women, and children.
As President Bush said last night, no distinction should be made
between those who committed these atrocities and those who provide safe
harbor and encouragement. The United States is a nation like no other.
We are the world's greatest democracy, a nation that gives hope to the
downtrodden and oppressed everywhere. We are a nation based on the
principles of freedom and liberty. And while we have seen the light of
freedom flicker and fade at times for many other people around the
globe, it has always burned strong here in America.
So, as in the past, we will rise above the confusion and despair of
yesterday. We will prevail over those who seek to destroy our way of
life. The future will bring new hope, and we will again join together
as one Nation and show the world what being an American is all about.
Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. God bless
them and God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished ranking member
of the Committee on House Administration.
(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the unspeakable barbarism perpetrated on
American soil yesterday was directed at freedom-loving people on every
continent on Earth. It will never be forgotten. Another day of infamy
and perfidy is etched indelibly on the pages of the history of the
world.
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to all those who perished or were
injured by these mindless murderous acts; acts of war. Our hearts go
out to their loved ones as well.
Our thoughts, our prayers, and our heartfelt thanks go out to all of
those who put their own lives in harm's way to help others: the law
enforcement officers, the military personnel, the firefighters and
paramedics, the doctors and nurses, and the countless civilians who
came to the aid of their fellow citizens. They are the true American
heroes, and their selfless courage fortifies this Nation. Yesterday,
today, and tomorrow we fear that many of these brave souls too have
become victims of this contemptible criminal conspiracy.
Today, every American, every civilized human speaks with one voice in
saying to those who planned, participated, aided and abetted, or gave
sanctuary to the perpetrators of this unmitigated evil, we will not
rest until you are rooted out, rooted out like a cancer, and destroyed.
As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said in his address to
Congress the day following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and I quote,
``Always we will remember the character of the onslaught against us.''
And in remembering, it will fashion our response.
The United States of America will never, never, never rest until you
and all of those who provide you with shelter and safe harbor are held
accountable for this horrific and heinous crime.
{time} 1600
Know, too, that no amount of fury, no amount of anger, no amount of
revulsion at such senseless and cowardly acts on innocent men, women,
children in the street, none of that will drive us to embrace your
twisted law of the jungle. But we will see justice done.
Our national character charged by the bravery and determination of
generations who preceded us demands more. Our resolute commitment to
democratic values and the rule of law and reason demands more.
The depraved brutality of September 11, 2001, much like that of
December 7, 1941, has left each of us shaken and sorrowful. But now, as
then, the American will and the American resolve are unshaken and
undeterred.
Freedom, all of us know, has never meant freedom from risk, nor will
it ever be. In fact, such risk is a component of that very freedom we
cherish. But we must and we will confront those who criminally and
viciously put freedom itself at risk.
Mr. Speaker, the memory of all of those whose lives were lost, who
were surely on the front lines of freedom, must lead us to renew our
pledge of allegiance to our one Nation, under God, indivisible, and
with liberty and justice for all.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois, Speaker of the House (Mr.
Hastert).
Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the American people were
viciously and deliberately attacked by terrorists. My heart goes out to
those victims and their families. But make no mistake, this was an act
of war. The American people, as represented by the Members of this
Congress, will take all appropriate action to protect its citizens and
to win this war against these terrorists.
We have entered into a new era of our history. As of yesterday, how
we live, how we work, how we play have been changed for as long as we
will be able to see, in our children and our grandchildren.
Terrorists flout international law and standards of common decency.
[[Page H5509]]
They target the American people because we are strong and because they
are weak. These terrorists are cowards and they will be punished.
Some say that we cannot be the world's policeman. Well, if we do not
enforce the rules of common decency, if we do not take steps to protect
our citizens from these lawless and evil bandits, no one else will.
This is a new kind of war, and we must be prudent in how we prosecute
it.
All those nations who harbor, who train, who support, who fund these
terrorist groups bear equal responsibility for the actions of these
terrorists. We must dedicate the proper resources to deal with them in
the appropriate way. Terrorists may be able to run, but they can not
hide from America's steely determination and justice.
Let me say a few words about the American people. Many of those who
died were dedicated public servants, members of our armed services,
firefighters, police officers, people dedicated to serving and
protecting the American people. They have died in the line of service
to their Nation. Others were citizens dedicated to living the American
dream, people who had wives and husbands, children and parents who
loved them and who will miss them dearly. These people were innocent
victims in a war conducted against America by political extremists,
people who live in the shadows and never come out except when they
attack.
The civilized world is with us. I was touched this morning by the
visit of Mr. Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia, who sat in our
Chamber to show his solidarity with the American people. The speaker of
the Russian Duma, Mr. Seleznev, sent me a letter where he said the
people who ordered and carried out this outrageous crime must be found
and punished.
Our allies across the world have expressed their horror at this
unprecedented attack. My friends, the civilized and free world must
stand together and stamp out this terrorist scourge.
My deepest condolences go to the families of the victims. May God
protect them in this time of trouble and may God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), my good friend and the
conscience of this body.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, what happened in New York at the
World Trade Center and at the Pentagon yesterday is unreal. It is
shocking. It is unbelievable. But it did happen.
Mr. Speaker, we stand together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but
as citizens of the world, as Americans, as brothers and sisters. We are
a circle of trust that cannot be broken. We are one people. We are one
family. We are one Nation.
But we must send the strongest possible message to the terrorists and
to all of those who participated in this unbelievable conspiracy, this
madness. Terrorists may destroy our buildings, terrorists may harm and
kill our people, but terrorists will never, ever destroy the spirit of
freedom and our love for democracy.
Our Nation is strong and determined. We will never turn back; no, we
will never turn back from our commitment to a free and open society and
our determination for a world community at peace with itself.
Those who engage in this madness will be tracked down, and they will
be brought to justice. And for those who are hurt and for the families
who lost loved ones in this unspeakable tragedy, they are in our
thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Mr. Speaker, today on this day, we pray for our people and we pray
for our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy
with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), and I would like to ask
about the eighth resolve clause in this resolution.
In the gentleman's interpretation, does the intent of the phrase
``sponsor'' in terms of sponsor of terrorists, include those states or
governments which harbor terrorists?
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. ROHRABACHER. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, it most emphatically does.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
I think it is long overdue that the United States of America reaffirm
a policy of supporting those moderate, responsible, and, yes,
democratically inclined Muslims of Afghanistan and elsewhere who are in
opposition to terrorism, and in opposition to the fanatical Taliban
government which represses its own people and provides a safe haven for
terrorists like bin Laden. This has not been the policy of our
government over these last 5 years.
Now it is necessary for us to act with strength and determination, to
wipe out a terrorist enclave that has taken root in Afghanistan. I call
on the people of goodwill, which includes the vast majority of Muslims
in this world, to stand with us in this fight against terrorists like
bin Laden and against fanatics and tyrants like the Taliban in
Afghanistan.
We need to ensure our government itself meets its responsibilities
effectively and remains committed to free government and peace among
the people of the world, and those people are of all races and of all
nationalities and of all religions.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, Americans are overwhelmed with sorrow at
the loss of members of our families and friends, but we will act and we
will do so with courage; and we will accomplish our mission, our sacred
mission now of revenge against those who have taken American lives.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the distinguished vice chair of the
Democratic Caucus.
(Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001, is the second day of
infamy in our history; and it was without a doubt an act of war. It was
also a crime against humanity and the civilized world, an attack
against innocent, unsuspecting, defenseless civilians, against women
and children, many from my own State of New Jersey.
Mr. Speaker, the terrorists may have appeared to strike the symbol of
American capitalism; but what they really struck was mothers and
fathers, sisters and brothers. The terrorists may have appeared to
strike a symbol of American military might, but what they really struck
were sons and daughters, friends and families.
The terrorists have shown themselves as the cowards they are, as we
are showing the world the great Nation that we are: strong, resilient,
resourceful and freedom loving. The Congress is here, the President is
at work, Americans are lining up waiting hours to donate blood or
volunteer in the rescue. People from my district across the river from
New York City are helping the wounded, our hospitals are filled with
doctors, nurses and staff working around the clock. Brave fire
fighters, police officers and rescue crews continue to risk their lives
to save others; and we are pulling together, as Americans always do in
times of tragedy, as we will pull together to hunt down and find those
who committed these crimes against humanity.
There is nowhere these terrorists can hide where we will not find
them, and no Nation that should believe that they can aid, abet, or
give shelter to these terrorists without feeling our wrath. If nations
harbor our enemies, then they are our enemy. If nations help our
enemies, then they are our enemy.
Mr. Speaker, we will not stop until all those responsible are found
and punished severely. Today America stands ready for the challenge
ahead. We stand as one united against our enemies, united for the
things we believe in as a people: liberty, freedom and justice. May God
bless all those who perished in this tragedy, the rescue workers who
sacrificed their lives and the children and families who today are
missing a cherished love one, and may He bless this great country of
ours.
{time} 1615
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane).
[[Page H5510]]
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with my fellow
Americans to pledge my full support for this resolution.
Yesterday, our Nation was stunned by the cowardly acts of terrorists.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and those whose lives
were tragically ended by these barbaric acts; but today I have never
said with more dignity, with more respect, and with more determination
that I am proud to be an American.
One of our Nation's greatest strengths is our commitment to freedom
and opportunity. We are blessed with the greatest resources in the
world, chief among them the heart, ingenuity, and resolve of our
citizens.
I know we will marshal these resources to the fullest extent as we
find and punish the evil forces responsible for these dastardly deeds.
May God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), assistant
Democratic leader.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a profound sadness and
deep remorse weighing heavily upon my heart. An unspeakable tragedy has
struck our great Nation, one that makes finding the right words nearly
impossible.
September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever be etched in the
memory of each and every American. Throughout the world our friends
also mourn this inconceivable tragedy. Truly, it was a threat to
democracy and freedom for all.
The loss of life is staggering, and my thoughts and prayers are with
the many families grieving for their loved ones and those who are still
awaiting word. I pray that your loved ones come home.
We have watched intently as the disaster and the aftermath have
unfolded in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. I commend the
heroic effort of our public safety personnel from all over who have
joined the rescue efforts, including those in my home State of
Connecticut. Emergency workers have risked their lives. Many have lost
their lives braving the horrors of the disaster.
This atrocity has touched so many families. Each of us will know
someone directly involved in this horror. Striking at the heart of our
country, our people, our freedom, the symbols of our economic and
military strength, this attack goes beyond anything we have ever
experienced before, and it demands that we unite as a Nation. As the
hardship continues to unfold, we must comfort our families and continue
to provide them with the support that they need any way we can.
Our government must also take action in response to these
reprehensible acts. I strongly support the resolution condemning the
attack against the United States; and, Mr. Speaker, in the strongest
terms, this resolution makes it clear that we will not tolerate any
terrorist act. We will hold those who undermine our Nation accountable.
Let us stand here unanimous in passing this resolution to say that we
stand by our fellow citizens, especially those grieving for a lost
loved one, and that we will defend our Nation and punish those who have
such utter disregard for human life.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), chairman of the
Committee on Rules.
(Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
At the height of the civil war, John Stewart Mills said, war is an
ugly thing but it is not the ugliest of things. The decayed and
degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is
worth a war is worse.
It is very clear now that we have a very strong bipartisan consensus
in support of the effort to bring about a successful resolution to this
horrible tragedy.
Many have talked appropriately about the fact this has been an attack
on the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, this really transcends
the United States of America.
Let us look at the first two targets, the World Trade Center. The
World Trade Center. This is an attack, Mr. Speaker, not only at the
United States of America, but this is an attack at the entire
international community. Virtually the entire world supports the core
values on which the United States of America was founded.
People may ask why is it that we are victims of this attack. Why?
Because the United States of America, this Capitol under which we
serve, is, in fact, the beacon of hope and opportunity for the entire
world.
We are paying the price for it, but I will tell my colleagues, it is
still a very important struggle. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, he
said the condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal
vigilance. We are remaining vigilant, Mr. Speaker, and I want to say
that my thoughts and prayers go to all of the victims.
All four of those aircraft were headed to my State of California. My
heart goes out to those who are suffering, and I hope very much that we
will be able to see strong bipartisan support for this important
resolution which demonstrates our concern not only for the United
States of America, but for those who love freedom throughout the entire
world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on the Middle East, a member of the Committee on
International Relations.
(Mr. ACKERMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, those of us, your colleagues from New
York, come to the floor wounded today because we count ourselves among
the mourners. And the interesting thing is, when we have resolutions of
this nature from time to time, we name those for whom we mourn. We
regret that we cannot even supply you with that massive list as yet.
There are so many of our constituents, our friends, our neighbors, our
relatives, who do not yet know that they are among the mourners. This
has not fully set in to our city and to our State. And yet we mourn.
And let me assure you that while we mourn, we are not broken. The
forces of evil have destroyed our skyline, but they have not destroyed
our resolve. They have killed our people, but they have not killed our
will.
We come here as well to say thank you, to say thank you to each and
every one of our colleagues in the House from all over America who have
been so supportive to us and to the people that we represent.
We express our special condolences, and ask you to do the same, to
our colleague Joe Crowley who is not with us today because his cousin,
a brave firefighter, is believed to have perished. Two hundred of our
firefighters, over 200, only of our firefighters, are dead. Over 50 of
our policemen, representing a great city, a diverse city, made up of so
many people, rushing into this burning inferno, tumbling down, knowing
that 200 colleagues have already died and yet continuing to go in to
try to save their fellow citizens, paying no heed to their own safety.
New Yorkers are tough. We are very tough. We are going to get over
this. Yesterday was a day that we practiced our democracy in our State
of New York. It was a primary day. We were in the middle of an election
when this happened. That election has since been set aside. I was in
one part of my district outside of the city of New York where there was
a race going on for county executive, millions of dollars were being
spent, the fight has raged for months and months with both sides at
each other. And when the election was suspended, the campaign teams of
both sides were seen on line together, side by side, at the blood bank.
We bleed together as Americans. We cannot give you the names. The
names would fill a book. We cannot give you the number, but the number
is in the thousands; the mourners in the tens of thousands. But I can
tell you that each and every one of them is a martyr, unknowingly;
people who went to work, people who got on a plane, people who lost
their lives doing things that average Americans do.
We will not rest, not one of us, Democrats or Republicans, until the
evil people who perpetrated this deed are found. We will not let any
rock be unturned under which they have
[[Page H5511]]
crawled. We know their address and we know their landlords. And let
them know that we will find them.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), a member of the
Committee on International Relations.
Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a dark day that will be
remembered for its unique horror and tragic loss of life. I ask for
continued prayers for the families of the victims, President Bush, Vice
President Cheney, and members of our armed services as they lead
America in this time of crisis.
The attacks yesterday are an act of war, and retribution must be
swift, sure, and overwhelming. But retribution is not enough. Our
ultimate goal must be to identify and destroy the state-sponsored
international infrastructure supporting these terrorists who have
attacked the U.S. and its citizens.
On Ronald Reagan's first day in office, he told a relieved Nation,
upon news that American hostages were released after 444 days of
captivity, ``The price of freedom at times has been high, but we will
never be unwilling to pay that price.''
We must continue to rally behind President Bush. The price of freedom
is high for Americans, but a price we pay as defenders of the brightest
beacon of freedom and opportunity this world has ever known.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the ranking member of
the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, at this time of profound sadness and
tragedy in our Nation, I rise with my colleagues in strong support of
the resolution before us to condemn the treacherous attacks against our
Nation and upon the thousands of our fellow citizens.
My heart and deepest condolences also go out to all the families
whose members are missing loved ones as a result of these despicable
acts. For those firemen and law enforcement officers, pilots and
stewardess, who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue
to risk their lives in order to save others, our Nation stands forever
grateful for their services and tremendous sacrifices.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation mourns its sons and daughters who have died
in this senseless tragedy, and our country must stand more united than
ever before. We must support the President in using all means and
resources to identify, to pursue, and to punish the persons and
organizations responsible for these attacks.
Mr. Speaker, a noted expert on counterterrorism, Professor Yonah
Alexander of the Potomac Institute, has long advocated that the world's
democracies must develop an effective strategy to face this terrible
challenge against international terrorism. Professor Alexander notes,
and I quote, ``The only light at the end of the tunnel is for a number
of nation states and responsible governments to take concerted action
against terrorism. Terrorism against one is terrorism against all,
regardless of the blood spilled. It is the same red blood. To combat
terrorism, no country can deal with this unilaterally without
cooperation and support from others.''
Unless a global antiterrorist strategy can be worked out, Professor
Alexander concludes that the existence of civilization itself is
seriously at risk.
Mr. Speaker, in the wake of yesterday's disaster, I want to commend
Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Bush in their efforts to
call upon all the leaders of the world for a coordinated international
response to terrorism. This is no longer a national or a regional
issue. This matter should and must require the support of all freedom-
loving nations of the world.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
{time} 1630
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen).
Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Yesterday's tragic events in our Nation have deeply wounded our hearts.
But at the same time, this tragedy has strengthened our resolve to
prevent these terrorist acts from ever happening in the future.
As proud Americans, we have united in times of difficulty; and, as in
the past, our strength will allow us to prevail in winning the war
against terrorism and evil acts against humanity.
We support President Bush in actions that he has taken and will take
to protect America and Americans. We also pray for the victims and for
the families of those who lost loved ones in yesterday's tragic events
and those first responders who have risked their lives so that others
may live.
We will not allow terrorists or their cowardly acts of violence to
weaken the soul of our Nation. We will move forward to continue our
quest worldwide for a peaceful and lawful society so that we can
forever eliminate such terrible crimes as we have all witnessed
yesterday.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the distinguished ranking member
of the Subcommittee on Africa.
(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's tragic events touched the
residents of my congressional district in a profound and personal way.
United Flight 93, one of the fateful flights on that most horrifying of
days, departed Newark International Airport, which I represent,
carrying innocent passengers who would become pawns in the most
senseless act of terrorism that you can imagine.
In addition, thousands of New Jersey residents travel back and forth
each day from Penn Station, in my home city of Newark, to New York,
where many hold jobs at the World Trade Center. This morning, families
in New Jersey communities continue the agonizing wait for word on the
fate of their loved ones.
As we struggle to comprehend and confront the magnitude of this
shocking attack on the United States, let us, above all, remember the
victims, the employees, the volunteers, the visitors, the firemen, the
policemen, the EMTs, who put their lives on the line. Let us put a
human face on this tragedy which claimed the lives of so many people,
who shared the everyday dreams and hopes we all have, people who only
wanted to live their lives in peace, to see their children grow up
healthy and happy.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families of the victims who are
suffering such immense pain. I ask my colleagues to join me in
expressing appreciation for the humanitarian efforts of all those who
have stepped forward to offer assistance in this time of need. Please
join me in praying for all of the families who have suffered the loss
of loved ones or who still anxiously await news about survivors.
This is the time to come together and to reaffirm that we will always
remain one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul).
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Americans were awakened to find ourselves in a
war, attacked by barbarians who targeted innocent civilians. This
despicable act reveals how deep-seated is the hatred that has driven
this war.
Though many Americans have just become aware of how deeply we are
involved in this war, it has been going on for decades. We are
obviously seen by the terrorists as an enemy.
In war there is no more reprehensible act than for combatants to
slaughter innocent civilians who are bystanders. That is what happened
yesterday.
If there is such a thing, a moral war is one that is only pursued in
self-defense. Those who initiate aggression against others for the
purpose of occupation or merely to invoke death and destruction are
unforgivable and serve only to spread wanton killing.
In our grief, we must remember our responsibilities. The Congress'
foremost obligation in a constitutional republic is to preserve freedom
and provide for national security. Yesterday
[[Page H5512]]
our efforts to protect our homeland came up short. Our policies that
led to that shortcoming must be reevaluated and changed if found to be
deficient.
When we retaliate for this horror we have suffered, we must be
certain that only the guilty be punished. More killing of innocent
civilians will only serve to flame the fires of war and further
jeopardize our security.
Congress should consider using its constitutional authority to grant
letters of marque and reprisals to meet our responsibilities.
Demanding domestic security in times of war invites carelessness in
preserving civil liberties and the right of privacy. Frequently the
people are only too anxious for their freedoms to be sacrificed on the
alter of authoritarianism thought to be necessary to remain safe and
secure. Nothing would please the terrorists more than if we willingly
gave up some of our cherished liberties while defending ourselves from
their threat.
It is our job to wisely choose our policies and work hard to
understand the root causes of war in which we find ourselves.
We must all pray for peace and ask for God's guidance for our
President, our congressional leaders, and all America, and for the
wisdom and determination required to resolve this devastating crisis.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the distinguished dean of the
House of Representatives.
(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I support the legislation before us. I note that it
expresses sympathy for the innocent victims and their families. I
support it because it expresses support and sympathy for the
firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, and their families,
who have served and who have lost their lives in their attempt to save
others. It is to be supported because it supports our country and our
American ideals, and I support the President's efforts in implementing
this.
We are dealing here with an act of war.
You know, Mr. Speaker, I am probably the only Member of this body who
remembers the Declaration of War during World War II. I would note that
less Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor than were killed yesterday
in Washington and New York.
This is a declaration of war upon the United States, and while it is
that we do not know exactly for sure yet who it is that has done this,
this Nation has a serious responsibility. The first is to find out who
did it, and then to address this matter with all force and vigor,
because without this, we will never know peace again.
In addition to this, Mr. Speaker, it will be necessary for us to
protect the civil liberties of Americans. We have some mistakes in our
background: what we did to German-Americans in World War I, what we did
to Japanese-Americans in World War II, and German-Americans and
Italian-Americans in World War II. Those things cannot be done in this
instance, and we must indeed see to it that we protect the great
constitutional and indeed religious principles with regard to treating
our fellow Americans well and properly.
This is a time for national unity. This resolution expresses that
unity.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I say this: let us get about the great and the
terrible business at hand. Let us identify the wrongdoers, let us
punish them in all proper way. There will be no peace until such time
as we have done so.
God bless the United States and the people of the United States.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter).
Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, I join all of my colleagues, all of my
fellow Americans, in prayer and condolences for the victims of
yesterday's horrible tragedies. All of us know someone who was directly
hurt by that senseless violence. I talked to a constituent, an older
woman, whose son-in-law worked in the World Trade Center, and, as of
mid-afternoon yesterday, still did not know his fate. We all keep those
victims and families in our deepest prayers.
Yesterday was the most horrific attack against our nation in history,
period. Today, shock turns to anger, and our challenge is to turn that
anger into true resolve.
First, we must use all of our collective efforts in the rescue and
rebuilding operations. There are heroes in New York and the Pentagon on
the front line of that now; and we must give them all of the resources
necessary and rebuild, including rebuilding the World Trade Center.
Second, at the same time, we must resolve to use all of our efforts
to defend against any similar attacks, and our government is doing
that.
Third, we must hunt down those responsible.
History is littered with instances of nations preparing for the last
war. Let us all learn that lesson, even if a day late. Let us be clear
when we use the phrase ``war,'' it is not a turn-of phrase, it is not a
war against drugs, we mean war. I mean identifying the persons and
organizations and nation-states involved, formally declaring war on all
of those persons and entities, and prosecuting that war to its full
conclusion.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney), the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, we stand here today mere miles away from a tragedy that
shook our Nation and left many shocked and angered by an act of
unprecedented brutality on America's shores.
As we emerge from the incomprehensible darkness into the light of
this day, let us concentrate first our prayer and mourning, our sadness
and our sorrow, for the victims of this unimaginable horror, and then,
second, send our prayers, support and heartfelt thanks to the
courageous police, firefighters, and medical staff who have made great
sacrifices, and, in some cases, given their lives, to care for the
injured and take care of our dead.
In our search for understanding and truth, we should remember that
now, especially at this time of need, it is truly our reliance on a
higher power that will see us through. So as we pray to our God, let us
not forget that real security and real peace come through justice; that
fear and prejudice divert us from our true and righteous cause; and
that we are a country that stands for the rule of law.
The perpetrators of this crime can and will be dealt with. We must be
careful not to rush to judgment and must ensure that when we strike
back, we deliver a blow against those truly responsible for these
terrible crimes.
President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have steered us on
a prudent course. Now is the time for us to trust their leadership.
Father Coughlin reminded us this morning of the guidance that is
available to us from God. He reminded us to build this and every day on
a foundation of justice, and to mourn our dead with acts of compassion.
My prayer for America today is that we heed Father Coughlin's call,
that all of us Americans will soon join together and rededicate
ourselves to the fight to defeat racism and to further justice at home
and abroad with an unbounded commitment to freedom, justice, peace, and
security for us all.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a broken heart, torn between
great sorrow and great anger in support of this resolution.
I have no words sufficient to express my total contempt for the
cowards who perpetrated this horrific act of terrorism. In fact, I
believe America has no words sufficient to express their contempt for
the cowards who perpetrated this horrific act of terrorism against the
people of America.
I would cite the President's words of earlier today, when he said,
``The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday
against the country were more than acts of terror, they were acts of
war.''
[[Page H5513]]
{time} 1645
I, therefore, thank the majority leader and the minority leader and
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for putting together such a
thoughtful and timely resolution condemning the terrible acts aimed
directly at the freedoms and liberties of the American people.
To Americans across the Nation who mourn and who are angry, I call on
you to focus your anger on the perpetrators of this unlawful act and
not to cast anger on neighbors, on coworkers, simply because of their
certain religion, race, or nationality. It is our resolve to bring
about justice, and we must remember that when fighting against
terrorism and extremism which has twisted their hatred into a system of
beliefs not consistent with the major religions of the world, that
these acts are condemned by Christianity, that these acts are condemned
by Judaism, and that these acts are condemned by Islam. I must ask all
Americans to remember that as we seek the revenge that we as a people
are entitled to. God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), a distinguished member of the
committee.
(Mr. SHERMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we suffered the greatest loss of
American life on American soil since our Civil War. I fear that we are
reacting as if a few hundred Americans died at the hands of a small
band of terrorists. I fear that we will just launch a dozen cruise
missiles and call it a day like we did after our embassies were bombed
in East Africa.
Let us wake up! There are probably 10,000 or more dead Americans.
That is four times the number that died at Pearl Harbor.
I do not know whether Osama bin Laden is responsible, but I join the
distinguished gentleman from California in demanding that Afghanistan
extradite bin Laden to the United States because we do know that bin
Laden killed Americans on the U.S.S. Cole and bombed our embassies in
East Africa.
But let me go further. If the Taliban government refuses, we should
go to war. It is a war we can win, as we won the war in Kosovo, chiefly
with air power and with the support of local allies. The Northern
Alliance of Afghanistan shelled Kabul last night. That alliance may
have suffered the death or the severe wounding of its leader, General
Masoud at the hands of bin Laden's assassins just 2 days ago. However,
the Northern Alliance is intact, and if the Afghan Government does not
surrender bin Laden by the end of this week, then the Northern Alliance
should be the best armed rebel army in the world by the end of this
month.
We can, with permission or with impunity, fly over the territory
necessary in order to bomb the Taliban and resupply the Northern
Alliance. A war against the Taliban government of Afghanistan will
involve American casualties, but how many thousands of casualties will
we suffer if we allow a foreign government to harbor and support well-
organized, well-financed terrorist groups capable of mass murder.
This will be a war against the Taliban, but it is not a war against
Islam. I join the prior speaker in saying we must respect Americans of
all faiths.
September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in infamy. This may be the
greatest loss of life on American soil since the Civil War.
Today's loss of life may approach or exceed the loss of life at Pearl
Harbor. After Pearl Harbor some suggested appeasement, and withdrawal
from Asia and the Pacific. Instead the greatest generation made the
greatest sacrifices to win our greatest victory.
America must mobilize for a war against terrorism, not only against
the criminals responsible for today's horrific events, but all
terrorism.
This is not a war against Islam, or against Muslims. Our last three
wars were waged to protect people who happen to be Muslim. We restored
independence to the people of Kuwait and then engaged in two further
wars in which we had no economic stake. In the mid-1990s, we protected
the Bosnian Muslims from genocide. In 1999, we went to war against
Serbia, a Christian country, to protect its Albanian Muslim minority
from ethnic cleansing.
Today we suffered greater casualties than in all three of those wars
combined.
There are some dancing in the streets of certain foreign cities who
believe that the terrorists who killed thousands of American civilians
have proven their strength by killing thousands of civilians. America
has the power to kill civilians by the tens of thousands or the tens of
millions. However America's great strength is that we do everything
possible to avoid killing civilians, even those who dance today in
delight.
For years, we have begged our friends to curtail investment and aid
to countries which support terrorism. Now in this war for decency and
civilization we must have the full support of our allies. Those who
claim to be friends of America can no longer do business as usual with
countries which harbor terrorists.
We appreciate the statements of sympathy from the Taliban government
in Afghanistan, but this is clearly insufficient. The Taliban
government must turn over Osama bin Laden and his associates to the
United States. If the Afghan government gives us excuses instead of
giving us bin Laden, we must take harsh action. This would include
providing arms and perhaps air cover to the forces in Northern
Afghanistan and the legitimate government of that country. These forces
have fought the Taliban to a standstill without our help. With very
substantial American help these forces will march into Kabul.
We appreciate the statements of sympathy from chairman Arafat, but we
must demand that he arrest terrorists in areas he controls.
We should not wait until we have identified the particular criminals
responsible for today's tragedy, nor should we limit our response to
one particular terrorist organization. Osama bin Laden may or may not
be responsible for today's crimes, but he is responsible for the attack
on the USS Cole and for the second worst terrorist attack against
America, the bombing of our embassies in east Africa. We must demand
bin Laden be turned over to the United States to be tried for those
crimes.
Even if we totally destroy the organization responsible for today's
crimes, other organizations will try to surpass today's evil. We must
root out all terrorist organizations. We must take harsh action against
any country that harbors or supports terrorists.
We should seek U.N. approval for our action; but we must act even if
the U.N. does not.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from the North Carolina delegation (Mr. Jones),
a member of the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in December of 1941,
following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto
reportedly said, ``I fear that all we have done is awakened a sleeping
giant.''
Yesterday, nameless, faceless cowards took aim on the people of the
United States of America. They struck without warning with the hope
that they could destroy the spirit of our great Nation. Let me say the
giant is awake.
The deplorable act reached deep into the heart of America and touched
not only the families and friends of those who were killed in
Washington and New York, but the lives of every citizen of the world
who values freedom and democracy. It was not only an act of war, it was
a crime against humanity.
All Americans are hurting over the cruel and senseless act of these
criminals, but the history of America is that her people are strong;
and like every national tragedy that has gone before, this one will be
answered. The American people demand justice and justice they shall
have, not through cowardly acts of terrorism, but by pulling together
as a Nation to do what is required.
The cowards who initiated this act of war have failed. Rather than
bring our country to her knees, the American giant has new strength.
The Book of Nehemiah tells us that the God of heaven will give us
success as we, his servants, start rebuilding.
Mr. Speaker, our faith in God and the strength of our democracy will
help ease our Nation's sorrow, will help us rebuild and, importantly,
will help us ensure that justice is carried out. We will rebuild; we
will have justice. The people of America deserve no less.
On behalf of the people of the third district that I have the
privilege to serve, I pledge my support to our President as he moves to
bring swift justice to these criminals and vote my full support for
this resolution. God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis), my colleague and
friend.
[[Page H5514]]
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this balanced
resolution expressing heartfelt condolences to the victims and their
families throughout the United States, as a part of this horrific
disaster that happened yesterday, and support for working with the
President to take swift and certain action towards those who committed
this horrific crime and those who choose to harbor them before or after
the fact.
Mr. Speaker, my community, the city of Tampa, Hillsborough County,
the Tampa Bay area, has suffered some horrific tragedies in the past.
We have had three law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty in
the last year. We will never forget, I will never forget, the helping
hand that was extended to us from across the country from other public
safety officials.
Today, I would like to say on behalf of my community that we are
literally pouring our hearts out to Northern Virginia and New York
City. More than 2,000 units of blood have been donated just as of
yesterday and that blood is on its way to New York City and Northern
Virginia, and we in Florida have a lot of people who have friends and
family who have moved from Northern Virginia and New York down to
Florida, and this is our family too.
I also want to say that I will fully support the President and work
closely with him and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to take swift and
certain action against those who have perpetrated this indescribable
act of inhumanity. We must get to the bottom of exactly who committed
this act; we must send the message that we will not tolerate this kind
of behavior ever again in a civilized society.
We must further understand and have an open and honest debate as to
the failures that occurred in our system of security that was designed
to provide the peace of mind and freedom that we have taken for granted
far too long in this country. We must make amends. We must do our best
to restore the freedom and peace of mind that Americans have come to
enjoy at the same time that we make it perfectly clear throughout the
world that what happened yesterday must never happen again.
I urge adoption of the resolution, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), a member of the
Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, America was brutally
attacked by cowards who intentionally ended the lives of innocent men,
women and children. Many have said today that Americans will never be
the same. How could we be?
We will never again see the faces of those who were lost. We will
never experience the promise their lives afforded us all. We will never
forget the courage and strength of our police, fire and rescue teams
who paid such a huge price to protect us during this national tragedy.
Yet, for those around the world who celebrate these acts, believing
they have weakened the cause of freedom, let the message go forth that
the torch of freedom has been rekindled in every American heart and
glows brighter today than ever before. Let them know that we shall
build a living memorial to all of the victims which shall be the unity
and resolve we bring to destroy terrorism and the systems that sustain
terrorism around the world. Let the message be clear that you do not
kill Americans and get away with it.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), my friend, a distinguished member
of the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to speak from the heart. I have had a very
tough couple of days. I think America lost our innocence yesterday, and
I just kept thinking that perhaps this was a bad dream and we would
somehow wake up and it would not be true, but we all know it is.
Mr. Speaker, I am a New Yorker, born and bred. I love our city. I was
in New York when this tragedy occurred. I often say to my children when
we come back to New York, look at the skyline, look at the World Trade
Center. It is so invigorating. It makes me feel so wonderful just to be
in this city, the city I love, the city in which I was born.
Mr. Speaker, we New Yorkers are a tough breed; but I have to tell my
colleagues, Mr. Speaker, this morning at 7 a.m. when I went over the
George Washington Bridge to come back down here to Washington and I
took a look at the New York skyline and saw the Twin Towers were not
there and in its place I saw the smoke and the fire, I really lost it.
I really lost it.
Mr. Speaker, as much as I have lost it because I do not see the
towers there, it pales by comparison when I think of the victims, the
men, women and children who lost their lives; the firemen, the
policemen who came there to save people's lives and lost their lives.
People who go to work, like millions of people in this great country go
to work to earn a living to support their families, they go to work and
they are killed by lunatics.
We have some questions to be asked, Mr. Speaker. We have to ask why
our intelligence failed us, why our security failed us. Congress has to
get to the bottom of this and ask these questions. Congress will find
out.
Let me say to the terrorists and those people in the streets that we
saw, the Palestinians and others who were dancing in the streets with
glee, let me say to them and Osama bin Laden and the Taliban and all
the people that support terrorism, you have awakened a sleeping giant.
The United States will not rest until we root out every one of you,
until we root out the terror and the terrorist cells.
We are going to rally around our President, as we always have, with
bipartisanship. We are all one America. God bless this wonderful
Nation. God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, this morning, Americans awoke to discover the nightmare
of September 11, 2001, was a reality. It was a day of infamy. Never
before have we as a Nation experienced such aggression on our own
shores which targeted innocent civilians. And we as Americans lost our
innocence.
This is an act of war. We resolve to find the perpetrators and punish
them harshly. As a Nation, we will not be intimidated. We stand strong
with great determination.
I want to express our heartfelt grief for the victims and their
families. We mourn their tragic loss. We offer our prayers, our
comfort, and our resolve.
{time} 1700
I also want to thank the firefighters, the rescue personnel, and the
police who have risked, and, in many cases, lost their lives to search
for those impacted by this terrible attack. Personnel from my district
and the districts of many others in Montgomery County, Maryland have
joined forces with those from across the Nation. We join them in
solidarity as they continue with their incredible efforts.
Thanks also to all the volunteers, those who are giving blood and
helping in every way possible. Without question, this attack on our
liberty and freedom is a strike against all nations that value
democracy. No attack as cowardly as the one we have just experienced
will go unanswered. We will act swiftly and decisively, and our
response must be as forceful as our military can muster.
Our history has been defined by the resiliency of our people. Mr.
Speaker, I stand here today to exclaim that we Americans will join
together in a bipartisan fashion to solemnly pledge to defend freedom
and liberty. As stated in the resolution before us, September 12, 2001,
shall be a national day of unity and mourning.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), a distinguished member of
the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Across the Nation, the pain and the grief certainly runs deep.
Yesterday's
[[Page H5515]]
events have saddened and seared the hearts of all Americans. But only,
only as we put human faces on the thousands of casualties can we even
begin to comprehend the magnitude and the impact of this unspeakable
attack on our homeland.
People from my district like Jeffrey Coombs of Abington,
Massachusetts, aboard Flight 11; Brian Sweeney, a Barnstable resident,
on Flight 175; and Stuart Meltzer, who worked on the 103rd floor of the
World Trade Center, whose family on Cape Cod followed televised news
reports with horror, and continue to hope that he is alive.
In their names, and in those of all the other victims, we will find
and punish those who committed these atrocities. This was an assault
not only on America and her citizens, but on all that America
represents, and on the hopes and dreams of a world that yearns for
peace, freedom, and justice under law that is so special to America.
In striking at us, the terrorists sought to exploit the openness of
our society and to shake the foundations of the civilized order which
America sustains. Well, they will fail. Our challenge now, and the test
of our democracy, is to harness our anger and our passion to respond in
a manner that is firm, clear, and just, that befits a great Nation and
honors our own ideal and our history.
We will heal these wounds and we will honor the memory of those that
we so tragically lost. God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts).
(Mr. PLATTS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me. I rise in support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, passage of this joint resolution will make it clear to
the world that the Members of the United States House of
Representatives and the United States Senate, Republicans, Democrats,
and Independents alike, are united in our prayers and concerns for the
victims of these terrible and heinous attacks, and that we are united
in our resolve to see justice done on their behalf.
The divisions between us over other issues in past months pale in
comparison and now seem very trivial. The horrific events of yesterday,
September 11, 2001, have united us all.
As we move forward, let us not forget the victims. Let us not forget
their families. Let us not forget the heroes. Let us not forget our
united resolve to see that justice prevails.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and neighbor, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), a
distinguished member of the Committee on International Relations.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank our ranking member for yielding time to
me.
Today I rise to condemn the horrific tragedy of September 11 and to
acknowledge today, September 12, as a national day of unity and
mourning.
I mourn the deaths of men, women, and children on four airplanes, who
boarded these planes to visit their relatives, conduct business, embark
upon vacations. I mourn the deaths and injuries of thousands of people
who went to work yesterday at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,
thinking it was just another Tuesday. I mourn the deaths and injuries
of the brave firefighters, EMTs, and police officers who rushed to the
aid of the victims and who became victims themselves. Their heroism
will never be forgotten.
And to the brave emergency personnel and volunteers still working
tirelessly to save lives, words cannot express our gratitude.
This tragedy has shattered the lives of so many men, women, and
children throughout our country and in my home district in California.
My heart goes out to them, and my prayers and my thoughts.
As an immediate response, we really must increase resources and
efforts to fight terrorism and to provide support for emergency
services, reconstruction, and recovery. The United States must remain
strong and vigilant in its sense of national unity, and move forward to
protect against further atrocities.
This was an attack on our Nation, its people, our democracy, and the
rule of law. As we respond to this unspeakable horror, we must uphold
our democratic principles, our laws, and our cherished beliefs. We must
resist impulses to cast blame on the basis of religion and ethnicity.
The Congress and the administration must work together to achieve a
full and thorough investigation into the source of this act of
terrorism in order to ensure that those responsible are brought to
justice. At a more fundamental level, we must work to create a peaceful
world where those who would commit such desperate, despicable, and
cold-hearted actions will not find support and protection.
I urge adoption of this resolution.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).
(Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of our great Nation and
against the dastardly acts of terrorism that we have seen. September
11, 2001, will forever live in the hearts and minds of not just
Americans, but every single person who values freedom, peace, and
security.
The loved ones of the victims and aid workers are in my thoughts and
prayers, and the most important thing is that America remains strong,
and we will certainly overcome this tragedy.
I saw the pictures of that destruction, especially in New York and at
the Pentagon, which is where I was just 5 minutes before that happened.
I was in Vietnam as a POW. I saw B-52s bomb Hanoi day after day after
day, and I am telling the Members, with over 100 bombs from each one of
those bombers, the destruction was not as great as what I have seen in
New York City and at the Pentagon yesterday. It is horrible. Members
can bet we will hunt down and punish the cowards responsible for that
act.
This declaration, this resolution that we have in front of us today,
declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the people
of the United States, but also at the symbols and structures of our
economic and military strength, and that the United States is entitled
to respond under international law. The problem with that is it does
not declare war. It is a war, Mr. Speaker.
Let me read what the Canada National Post said today: ``When foreign
governments are discovered to be giving aid and succor to terrorists,
they, too, must be hit. They must be hit as hard as possible and as
often as possible to deter them forever.''
The Dallas Morning News said today, this morning: ``We must remind
the world of how precious freedom is and how relentlessly we will
defend it. The rest of the world must know that we will not rest until
we capture and punish the terrorists responsible, and any nation who
protects them.''
May God bless and protect each and every one of us, and all America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Sawyer).
(Mr. SAWYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, our prayers of all faiths are with the families and the
victims of yesterday's horrendous attack. Our hopes are with those
rescue personnel who are, at this very moment, working with all their
heart to find the survivors. And our sorrow is shared by all Americans,
for we have all been touched by this heinous act.
But the organizers of this violence will not ultimately succeed in
their attack. For the object of terror is to instill fear to achieve a
purpose. We may not yet know the purpose motivating the attack, but our
collective sorrow should not be mistaken for fear. The terrorists only
succeed if we give into fear. The terrorists may have destroyed
thousands of lives and buildings that symbolize our strength and
freedom, but their attacks cannot destroy the larger hopes and ideals
of this country.
While we act now to reach out a hand to help the victims of this act,
we must also reach out another hand to punish those who perpetrated it
and those who sheltered them. The wanton cowardice, the deliberate
targeting of innocents, demand justice. Justice
[[Page H5516]]
will be served, but it will require perseverance. We do not yet know
whom to blame, and our effort to strike back will not be easy--
terrorists groups are more easily defined by ideology than geography.
But in the face of cynical evil, we are one Congress, one people, one
Nation, and we shall prevail.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel), a member of
the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and in support of
my country. As I walked to work this morning across the Capitol
grounds, I was struck, as I often am, as I always am, by the beauty of
the Capitol Building.
It occurred to me, as I saw the dome shining so whitely against that
bright blue sky today, such a glorious symbol of stability and strength
of this country, that it could have been a target yesterday of that
fourth ill-fated hijacked plane.
The simple truth is that if a terrorist act had destroyed the Capitol
dome yesterday, or if a thousand terrorist acts had obliterated the
Capitol, America would still be standing firm, as it is today. We stand
shoulder to shoulder with the President as our government hunts down
and punishes those who were responsible for yesterday's acts of war and
for those who assisted in any way.
The United States is the greatest country in the world, and we will
prove that once again as we bury our dead and heal our wounded, rebuild
our greatest city and the Pentagon, punish the perpetrators, and
rekindle the light of liberty and freedom in all our citizens.
My prayers and condolences go out to the victims of yesterday's
cowardly and inhumane attacks. America will never forget the innocent
lives that were lost yesterday, and will never be able to forget or
repay the bravery of those who are working heroically to save lives in
New York and at the Pentagon.
Yesterday was a turning point for America, a galvanizing event that
has unified Congress and the American people and the President to wage
war against terrorism. I hope and I believe that our response to this
attack is the beginning of the end of the threat of international
terrorism.
Let us act to make it so, and may God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad), a member of the
Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, my fellow Minnesotans join me in expressing our total
outrage and deep sadness at the hellacious acts of war committed
against the United States of America.
My friends from home and I are also praying today for a miracle, as
Gordon Aamoth, Jr., from our community of Wayzata, Minnesota, who
worked in the World Trade Center, is still unaccounted for.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their loved
ones, and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the many American heroes
who are still out there with the rescue and recovery operations.
Let us be clear: This Congress stands united and unanimous in our
resolve to use every resource available to track down those dastardly
terrorists and destroy them. We also stand united in supporting our
President and Commander in Chief in taking quick and decisive action
against these cowardly, despicable terrorists.
Mr. Speaker, the people of America will prevail because we are
Americans. As the President said last night, a great people have been
moved to defend a great Nation. Mark my words, the United States will
recover, and we will hold these heinous terrorists accountable for
their brutal and barbaric acts of war.
Mr. Speaker, today the healing begins. Through our tears, we pray for
strength. Through our anger, we pray for resolve. Through our hurt, we
pray for healing. Most of all, Mr. Speaker, we pray for our fellow
Americans who were killed or injured yesterday, as well as their
families and friends who grieve so deeply. Mere words are inadequate to
express our sympathy and sorrow. May God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a valued member of the
Committee on International Relations.
(Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
{time} 1715
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.
In our shock and anger and sorrow over this cowardly attack, it is
important for us to seize this moment. We Americans learn to draw
strength from adversity. In this terrible time, we are demonstrating
that Americans have their priorities straight. Our first attention is
to provide aid and comfort for the victims and their families. Our next
priority is for the safety of our fellow citizens, now and in the
future. Finally, America demands justice. We will seek out and hold
responsible the cowards who inflicted such carnage on thousands of
innocent people.
In meeting these priorities, there is a role for every American.
Citizens around the country are already stepping forward, giving blood
and providing assistance to families of victims. The President has
urged that we not allow the terrorist cowards to score a victory by
preventing Americans from living life to the fullest. This suggests
another important role for Americans, not just going about our business
supporting our families and helping others, but refusing to give up our
public spaces or our personal liberty.
America will not surrender its freedom to fear nor will we fall
victim to the baser instincts to perpetuate a downward spiral of
violence we have seen in other parts of the world. We will not allow
anyone in America to be targeted because of race, religion, or ethnic
heritage. Americans believe in the rule of law. There are already
pressures in some quarters to lash out. Revenge may be temporarily
satisfying, but we Americans have a higher value than revenge. We want
justice. Now is the time for all Americans to show that we are
different, to demonstrate our strength, our resolve, our courage to be
equal to the terrible circumstances that faith has given us.
We will not allow the tragic loss of thousands of our fellow citizens
to be in vain. This memory will be forever etched in our consciousness,
but America will emerge stronger. As Pearl Harbor signaled a turning of
the tide against the forces of tyranny and oppression, so too this
tragic horror must mark the beginning of the end for the forces of
terror and cowardice all around the world, wherever we find them.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick), a member
of the Committee on Rules.
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a tragedy of just unspeakable
proportions. It was an act of war against this country, no question.
Our thoughts, our prayers are with all those people who are involved in
this horrible situation.
We need to be sure who did this despicable act, and we will find them
and then we need to go after them and wipe them out. If there is a
nation or another country that is harboring these terrorists, they also
are an enemy of the United States; and we will wipe them out, too.
Our Nation's greatness seems to come through adversity. We as a
Nation will overcome this. We will triumph over our enemies. And I can
assure you that we will remain a beacon for freedom for all mankind.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Ms. Berkley), my friend and distinguished member of the
Committee on International Relations.
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me
this time, and I rise today in the strongest possible support for this
resolution.
I condemn these horrendous acts of terrorism as I praise all the
unnamed heroes who risked their own lives in order to save others. And
I grieve with those who experienced the loss of loved ones. My heart
goes out today to the family of Barbara Edwards, a high
[[Page H5517]]
school teacher from southern Nevada, who was a passenger on the
hijacked jet that crashed into the Pentagon. She leaves three children.
I support the President and our administration in the pursuit and
punishment of those responsible for this heinous crime against
humanity. Yesterday's attack was an attack on everything that we
believe in as Americans, everything we hold sacred as a nation. It was
an attack on freedom of speech. It was an attack on freedom of
religion. It was a cowardly attack on innocent people: mothers,
fathers, sons, and daughters simply going about their daily routines.
Our hearts may be broken and our eyes full of tears, but we Americans
have a message for those who carried out this cowardly attack and for
those who gave them assistance and shelter: let this be a warning to
any who wish to harm us. Americans will not back down. Americans will
never live in fear.
As Thomas Jefferson once said: ``I have sworn upon the alter of God
eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.''
We will persevere over the tyranny of terror, and we will persevere
over tyrants everywhere.
God bless America. God bless our people.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), chairman of the
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary of the Committee
on Appropriations, who has been a leader in human rights and anti-
terrorism efforts.
(Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 61, which
expresses the sense of the Senate and the House regarding the terrorist
attacks launched against the United States.
My heartfelt sympathy extends to all the families, many from our
region, who lost loved ones in this terrible act of cowardice. The
mothers, the fathers, the sons, the daughters, the friends and
neighbors who perished in the World Trade Center in New York City, at
the Pentagon, and on four commercial airlines will never be forgotten.
I also want to extend my thanks and praise to the courageous
firefighters, rescue workers, police officers, servicemen and women,
and the scores of volunteers who have been working around the clock
with regard to the rescue effort.
As the words of the resolution state, these attacks were by far the
deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States.
And by targeting symbols of America's strength and success, they
clearly were intended to intimidate our Nation and weaken its resolve.
We will not be intimidated. We will do all we can and stand behind
President Bush, our nation's commander in chief, as he works to respond
to the evils of terrorism.
We also stand behind the statement that there will be no distinction
between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor
them. I am committed to seeing that every resource possible be put
together and put towards apprehending and punishing the people who
planned and assisted in the implementation of these heinous actions
against innocent victims. Our response must be swift and aggressive.
The terrorists must be brought to justice and the countries which
harbor them must be held responsible.
We are a strong Nation, united in our determination to continue to be
the beacon of freedom to all in the world. We should pray for our
country. May God bless America and God bless all our people.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), a distinguished Member
of Congress.
Mr. BISHOP. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, so far, nothing our country has done to deter terrorism
has worked on an enduring basis. In spite of our intelligence
operations, retaliatory strikes, and a few arrests and trials, the
murderous attacks have continued unabated and have escalated in
severity culminating in yesterday's slaughter of thousands of our
citizens. Unless our nation unites behind a more forceful and
relentless cause of action, whatever the risk may be, we may never be
free of this evil threat; and we will continue to pay a terrible price.
Mr. Speaker, many of us have been touched personally by this tragedy.
One of my former staff members, Brittley Wise Salinardi, is the wife of
the property manager of the World Trade Center, Rich Salinardi. Rich is
missing and Brittley is devastated with anxiety, having no word of his
fate. Our prayers are with these extraordinary young people and their
families and with all those who have been touched and who have suffered
so grievously from yesterday's attack.
Let us stand together to rid the world of the evil forces responsible
for the war they are waging against humanity. I support this
resolution. Let us rid the world of this scourge of terrorism and make
those responsible pay the price.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), a member of the
Committee on Ways and Means.
Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution not
only as a Member of Congress but also as an American citizen who is
deeply saddened by the heinous acts committed yesterday against the
United States. These are acts of hatred. They are acts of violence.
They are acts of war.
Today, after hearing more accounts of what thousands of individuals
endured yesterday, it is clear that yesterday's events will live
forever in the memory of every American. One thing is certain, the
President, Congress, and military leaders have launched the greatest
manhunt this country has ever known. There will be serious consequences
for these unconscionable acts of aggression.
I can assure the people of my State of Washington, many who have lost
friends and loved ones, that in their names I am fully committed to
working with our President and our military and intelligence leaders in
supporting them in any actions they believe are appropriate. As the
President has said, we are a nation of spirit and strength. We will
prevail.
From blood banks that were overflowing with donors to the thousands
of rescue workers who traveled to Manhattan and to the Pentagon to help
with relief efforts, we have shown that we are one strong nation. We
will be united as we deal with this tragedy.
I have no doubt that those responsible for yesterday's actions do not
understand the American people. They believe that they can destroy our
values and our freedom by destroying our buildings. They forget that
our heritage is the heritage of patriots, and freedom, democracy, and
liberty are instilled deep in the hearts and the minds of every
American.
Mr. Speaker, this flame of patriotism will not be extinguished. In
fact, today, it burns more brightly than ever before.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), my friend and colleague
and a valued member of the Committee on International Relations.
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the ranking member
from California, for yielding me this time; and I too rise in support
of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, there are no words to describe the unbelievable horror
and the traumatic shock that all Americans feel in the aftermath of
yesterday's cowardly attack upon our great nation. These murderers,
terrorists, and their sponsors clearly do not understand America. If
they did, they would have known that American resolve and the spirit of
democracy and freedom cannot be broken by these heinous actions of
brutality and disregard for all human life.
While they intended to weaken the very core of our national identity,
all they did was strengthen our devotion to one another, to our
government, to our great country and to our never ending support of
liberty not only here, but around the globe.
In the faces of the emergency personnel working to rescue innocent
victims in New York and at the Pentagon, and in the faces of thousands
of Americans waiting in line to donate blood can be seen the enduring
strength of America and demonstrates the devotion that brings us all
together for
[[Page H5518]]
healing. In these hard, dire times, when we are faced with the cold
reality of terrorism, it is heartening to see that all Americans,
regardless of party affiliation, regardless of religious beliefs, race,
or ethnicity are coming together to show the world that the United
States will not tolerate terrorism nor will we ever abandon our values
of democracy and freedom.
Let us also remember that at our very core we are and always will be
a Nation of feeling, caring immigrants. That has been our enduring
strength and it is the future of the Nation. But do not mistake that
for weakness or for indecision. We stand united behind our President
and our leaders in the sure and certain faith that we will indeed
persevere and bring justice to all those responsible for these
atrocities. We are committed.
Thank you America. God bless us all.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), chairman of the Subcommittee on
Education Reform of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and
the former governor of Delaware.
{time} 1730
Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, like millions of my fellow American
citizens, I am feeling a series of emotions ranging from tremendous
sadness to shock and anger. The sadness is almost overwhelming when we
see images of destruction in New York and the Pentagon and when we
think of the families that have been torn apart by this unprecedented
tragedy.
We are shocked that a terrorist attack of this magnitude could happen
in the United States and that public buildings in our largest cities
were attacked.
We are also angry, angry that these terrorist criminals have resorted
to using civilian airlines as their weapons of destruction and that
they targeted thousands of innocent people going about their daily
lives.
Yes, these terrorists have met their goal of causing us this sadness,
shock and anger. But what they may not realize is that they have
awakened the tremendous resolve and determination of American people.
We are grieving in mourning for those who were lost, and we are
reaching out to the families. At the same time, we are determined to
respond to this attack.
These horrific acts of violence are equal to any act of war we have
ever faced. In many ways, they go beyond what we have experienced in
the past because they have targeted innocent people who would never be
the primary targets of violence in any past definition of war.
This is a defining moment in our history. We must marshal all of our
other emotions to strengthen our determination to respond to this
attack in a comprehensive and ongoing manner.
The terrorist criminals who committed this act have awakened the
giant that is America. We will not rest until we have taken every step
to bring these criminals to justice and to combat the terrorism that
threatens the entire civilized world.
We must change our view of terrorism. It is no longer an occasional
threat that we respond to and then return to a sense of complacency. It
will take a new approach, a comprehensive one that includes our
military, our intelligence capability, and how we protect our citizens
at home and abroad.
We are sad and angry, but we are also determined. Let us use this
determination to honor those who were lost and to protect all Americans
for today and in the future.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).
(Mr. Farr of California asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint
Resolution 61.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.J. Res. 61 which deplores
yesterday's barbarous attack against our country and our people. I
commend all of my colleagues for their heart-felt and inspiring words.
I would like to add my voice to the resounding unanimity of this body
in commending the heroic deeds of our fellow countrymen, and condemning
the treacherous act of terrorism which struck at the heart of our
nation.
First, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences
to families and fiends who have lost their love ones in this
horrendous, tragic event. These innocent lives were ended without
reason, without warning. They were not, however, ended without cause.
We know that they died in defense of our country, of the American way
of life. All of those grieving should know that these lives were not
lost in vain.
In this hour of loss and need, I have been astounded by the countless
acts of solidarity and self-sacrifice exhibited by Americans toward
their neighbors. These are, indeed, ``the times that try men's souls.''
America has been tried and it has been proven true. True to the ideals
of courage, of honor, of love and friendship to our fellow man. We must
give thanks to live in a land that inspires such loving and giving
people. Sufficient praise cannot be given to the fire-fighters, relief
workers, and ordinary citizens who, in the face of life-threatening
adversity, turned and entered the jaws of death to save lives. Some of
these brave heroes sacrificed themselves that others might live. In
this day and age, when we are accused of being a selfish, self-centered
and apathetic generation, we can look back to these acts and these
people and they will give us strength and faith in ourselves and in our
great nation.
And as we look back, we must also look forward. For our task ahead is
to continue the work of ``making the world safe for democracy.'' We are
called upon now to renew and strengthen this great and noble mission.
As many here have said so forcefully and eloquently, democracy itself
has been threatened and we must respond. We must respond by steeling
ourselves against our enemies, and fighting against the chaos that they
sought to inflict upon us. We must continue to demonstrate our strength
and our unity. We must continue to show the world that we are one
country, with one heart and one will. We will find our enemies, we will
meet them and we will defeat them. And just as the bombings of New York
and Washington were moral as well as physical attacks, we must
concentrate our efforts on defeating our moral as well as our physical
enemies. Terrorism does not reside in one man, in one country. It is an
idea which must be combated each day in the hearts and minds if it is
to be defeated once and for all. And just as we must and will find and
bring to justice those who are responsible for this atrocious and
unpardonable act, we must not think that one attack will be sufficient.
The war on terrorism will be a war to eradicate the seeds of terrorism,
a war to eliminate the environment in which terrorism takes root. To
make the world safe for democracy, we must make the world impossible
for terrorism.
I thank the Speaker for giving me the opportunity to express my
sorrow, sympathy, admiration and indignation. As we move forward, we
must move together and present a unified front to our allies and
enemies--meeting the former with love, appreciation and solidarity, the
latter with steadfast resolve and determination. God bless America and
our righteous mission.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Ms. Velazquez).
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues, our fellow
Americans, and people around the world to offer our prayers to the
families of those lost or injured in yesterday's unspeakable crimes.
We stand here in solidarity with the President, who represents this
Nation and its resolve to hunt down those responsible and bring them to
justice. No one should doubt our unity and our commitment to rebuild in
the wake of this deliberate tragedy.
To the thousands of Americans who have lost loved ones or still wait
in vigil for the missing, we offer prayers and hope for you who were
devastated by yesterday's events. You have suffered an incredible
personal tragedy and receive our sympathy for bearing the brunt of this
assault on our Nation.
To the people of New York, you demonstrated the finest heroism and
humanity during the direst hour. Thousands of you risked your lives to
help others as smoke, ash and debris rained on you. Thousands more of
you streamed into blood donation centers to meet an incredible demand,
saving countless more lives. Your spirit and resilience make our city
and our country great. Together we will rebuild our city even greater
than it was before.
To the American people, we feel the same pain and anger you feel as
we stand witness together to these terrible events, and we support the
effort to find those who aided or abetted these crimes. They will be
found, and they will be brought to justice.
So today, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Americans to reach out to one
another for support on this difficult day. For in our unity, we find
our greatest
[[Page H5519]]
strength to steel ourselves for the challenges that face us.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof).
Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, words fail us. We dutifully attempt to
muster as much eloquence as is humanly possible; and yet no one can
adequately express the events that have so dominated us during these
dark days.
The most basic civil right of humankind is to be free from fear.
Yesterday, every American had his or her civil rights forcibly
violated. These unprovoked, yet provocative, attacks on the highest
profile symbols of American culture have caused untold loss of life.
Innocent victims perished for no other reason other than they were
Americans.
As a Nation we were knocked to our knees with the graphic pictures
and sounds as we collectively experienced the horrific tragedies in New
York, near Pittsburg, and here in Washington, D.C. We now remain on our
knees and murmur a collective prayer to the God who has placed the
dream of freedom in every human heart.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress, each one of us swore an oath to
protect and preserve our liberty and freedom from all enemies, foreign
and domestic. When a domestic terrorist selected Oklahoma City as his
target, we extracted from him the fullest measure of punishment allowed
by law. We must be as a body no less committed in this case.
The conspiracy of foreign enemies have committed acts of war against
the sovereignty and against the security of these United States.
Therefore, be it highly resolved that these honored dead shall not have
died in vain.
You may have extinguished American lives, but you have not and never
can extinguish our American spirit. We have and will continue to
survive even this most difficult and painful assault on our Republic.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).
(Ms. DeGETTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution.
Yesterday's act of war will go down in history as an act that forever
changed America. Not since Pearl Harbor has our country faced such a
horror. But this attack took aim at innocent people who when they
kissed their families goodbye in the morning merely were going to work.
And yesterday's attackers, rather than an identifiable enemy, were
anonymous extremists, a faceless lot who don't even have the courage to
come out of the dark to claim their despicable handiwork.
What is the same today as it in 1941, is the will and the strength of
America. We may be bloodied, but we are unbowed. We must respond, as we
did at that critical juncture, with determination, courage and unity.
We must understand that the war we must wage against barbarism is more
complex than the wars we have fought in the past, but like those wars
will not be won with a single military strike. It will take wisdom and
patience. Our challenge is to strengthen our defenses so that we will
never again have to see scenes like we witnessed yesterday and to
increase our intelligence gathering capabilities while at the same time
maintaining our core American values. It would serve only the ends of
the extremists if we were to trample the Bill of Rights in response to
this crisis.
I have been heartened by the response of the American people.
Ordinary citizens became extraordinary orators in responding to these
barbarous attacks. I hope that the people responsible for yesterday's
atrocities have been watching, because if they have been they now know
that they have done nothing but firm our resolve. They are no closer to
touching the foundations of the United States than they were before
this heinous attack. We are stronger today that we were yesterday.
We must ferret out these monsters and bring them to justice. We owe
it to the children who lost their parents and the parents who lost
their children yesterday. We must hold accountable those institutions
and groups that have supported them in their madness. We must hold the
line against hatred. We must stand up for humanity, for civilized
society. We must stand against the tyranny of extremism.
And I know we will. As President Franklin Roosevelt said in his
speech following the attack on Pearl harbor: ``We will not only defend
ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this
form of treachery shall never again endanger us.''
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt).
(Mr. WATT of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
resolution.
In the aftermath of unprecedented attacks of the kind our country
witnessed yesterday, no words can express the full range of emotions:
horror, dismay, sadness, anger, etc. I join with all my colleagues in
expressing condolences to the families of the people who were killed in
these tragic incidents and in praying for the full recovery of the many
people who were injured. I also join my colleagues in thanking so many
people whose acts of bravery and heroism may receive little, if any,
notice in the midst of this crisis. They reaffirm my confidence in our
country's ability to withstand this crisis and our unity as Members of
Congress should assure them of our commitment to determine who is
responsible for these cowardly acts and bring them to justice.
Mr. Speaker, I want to pay special tribute to the family of Sandy
Bradshaw, a flight attendant on United Airlines flight 93 which crashed
in Pennsylvania. Her husband, Phil and her children, Alexandria and
Shenan, are still hoping against all odds that she is still alive. They
are residents of my Congressional District in Greensboro, North
Carolina, and I want them to know that all my constituents are praying
for them in a special way.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Evans).
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
As the son of a firefighter, I was never so proud as I was of what
firefighters did yesterday; but I believe all of our law enforcement
officials, doctors and nurses, blood donors and volunteers, deserve to
be saluted as well.
Mr. Speaker, we will have a problem for survivors that I hope will be
addressed head-on, and that is psychological problems referred to by
Vietnam veterans called post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of the
victims will have problems without any other additional assistance, and
I was pleased to hear that the administration has called upon this
country to provide the support that our fellow citizens who have
survived and have post-traumatic stress disorder to come forward and
help fund those programs.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the City of Washington in terms of what
local people did. We had cooperation and openness. The citizens of this
great city came together and worked together with us.
Mr. Speaker, we need to be careful to be good to each other as
colleagues in this body. The gentleman in the chair today, the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), has led us in the past to make
sure that we are a user-friendly institution, and I salute the
gentleman and call upon my colleagues to make sure that we keep
together on these important issues that we are going to be facing in
the next few days and in the next few years.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts), the distinguished chairman of the
House Republican Conference.
Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, there are few words that can
articulate what our Nation experienced yesterday.
The tragedy that Americans experienced was a blemish on our Nation's
history. It was a day that will be remembered by families in New York
City and Washington, D.C., and every town throughout the country.
Unlike momentous days of joy that we tell our children and
grandchildren about, September 11, 2001, will be a day that we will
recall for years to come with sadness and with sorrow.
Like Pearl Harbor and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the surprise
attack on the people and sites that run the country, our economy, our
military and government will not be the final word. There can be no
justice without peace, but there can be no peace without justice.
Over 6 years ago I stood on this floor and condemned the bombing of
the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Today, like 1995, we should
remain strong. We should not succumb to fear. If we succumb to fear and
paranoia, the terrorists have won. In this time of emergency and
mourning, let us open our hearts to those that need our help.
[[Page H5520]]
Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Americans, if they can, give blood; if
they can, give their time. Fly an American flag at half-mast. Take time
to pray. Give thanks to those who are helping us through this crisis,
and give thoughts to those who suffer because of the acts of faceless
cowards.
Our Nation will get through this upheaval. We will not let the
pernicious intentions of an unidentified organization curtail the
business or the strength of character of the United States of America.
To the families and friends of those who lost their lives, know they
are not alone in their sorrow. I pray for them. We pray for them. And
to the medics, the doctors and nurses, the firefighters, the police
officers, the rescue workers, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and to all of
the other emergency personnel on the scene of the incidents, we thank
them for their service to our Nation and our sister communities here in
Washington, D.C. and in New York.
Mr. Speaker, politics has taken a day off. Today Congress recognizes
and remembers the afflicted and the sorrowing and those who came to the
aid of their fellow man.
Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1842 captured what I think we are all thinking
today. He said, ``Sorrow makes us all children again, destroys all
differences of intellect. The wisest knows nothing.''
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for
their service and leadership during this national tragedy.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kleczka).
(Mr. KLECZKA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in disgust of yesterday's terrorist
acts, and in strong support of the resolution before us.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in disgust of yesterday's terrorists acts and in
strong support of this resolution.
The cowardly acts of terrorism carried out yesterday against fellow
Americans are sickening and unparalleled since the surprise attack on
Pearl Harbor nearly sixty years ago. Each of the commercial aircraft
used as weapons were carrying innocent men, women, and children. And
the timing of the assaults--around 9am on a weekday morning, seems to
have been designed to maximize the loss of innocent life for those in
all the buildings attacked. Know full well that we as a government will
not rest until those responsible are found and severely punished.
We salute those dedicated rescue workers, firefighters, and police
who have been working around the clock to try to reach those that might
still be trapped alive inside. My sympathies and condolences go out to
those who lost their lives, the injured and the families who will
forever bear the scars of this day from hell.
But while these heinous acts were carefully planned, in the ultimate
sense these terrorists have failed in their mission. They can shake the
foundations of skyscrapers, but they cannot break our spirit. We are
not broken. We are saddened, but stand firm in our resolve as a country
and a people. At this time of national shock, we all stand together as
a country in prayer, mourning, and resolve as we join in support of our
President as he leads us in the days and weeks ahead. May God bless our
nation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley).
(Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, simply put, in the annals of our history, September 11,
2001 will be forever remembered as a day of unprecedented barbarism.
Perhaps most tragic, the Constitutional freedoms we enjoy on a daily
basis--the same protections which allow us to serve in Congress and
which millions of men and women fought and died to guarantee to every
American--were cruelly exploited for a vile purpose: to simply
slaughter thousands of innocents.
Mr. Speaker, there's a good chance we'll never know how many
Americans perished in these attacks.
We'll certainly never comprehend the sheer terror they felt, nor the
anguish their loved ones are facing today.
But in our capacity as human beings we can certainly empathize with
their plight.
This was an act of war against the American people, as such, Congress
must ensure our armed forces appropriately respond to this attack to
quickly and decisively eliminate the individuals and their allies who
would strike a blow against our liberty.
We must set the same goals of previous generations of Americans, and
seek an absolute and unconditional victory that ensures our sons and
daughters wives and husbands, and friends and neighbors are never, ever
again exposed to such an act of barbarism.
We stand together as members of Congress and as Americans in our
resolve to identify those responsible for conceiving and carrying out
these acts of war, and to exact justice for this unforgivable assault.
With that, I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam
(Mr. Underwood).
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, today in the aftermath of the most
devastating attack on American civilians in our Nation's history, we
take up the task of rebuilding our spirits, reaffirming our commitment
to our national values, and making the pledge that this will never
happen again.
As we console the families of the victims, as we remind ourselves
about the core American values of freedom and democracy, and as we make
plans to deal with the terrorists, we must remember who we are as a
people. We are the participants of a great democratic undertaking, a
national project which stands as an example for the rest of the world.
We have a duty to perfect and protect our Nation, and we must never be
swayed from the road towards freedom and democracy for ourselves and as
a beacon for the planet.
Mr. Speaker, there are many emotions that race through our bodies
individually and collectively. We are saddened by the pictures of the
attacks and elated with pride by the essential goodness of our people,
and we are also filled with anger and thoughts of vengeance as we
contemplate future action.
We must be mindful of our responsibilities as leaders to deal with
this crisis in an orderly manner which demonstrates calm, which
reassures our people that we will be an even greater people in the
future, and which provides evidence of our core values as people. We
must first comfort the families and friends of the victims. We must
remind ourselves of the democratic values which make us great and which
make us a target.
Mr. Speaker, then we must take action against the terrorists and
ensure that this never happens again. We must conduct ourselves with
dignity and resolve, confident in the inevitable success in our
national purpose and democracy. The people of Guam stand ready to do
our part in this national crusade at this time of crisis. As so often
has happened in the past century, Guam is ready to do its part in
national defense, in demonstrating resolve. We have made our
contributions in the past. We will do our part again and again in this
century.
{time} 1745
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), my good
friend and colleague.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey
for yielding me the time.
I rise in support of the resolution and I join with all Americans and
so many New Jerseyans who are personally affected by this crisis in
prayer for the victims of yesterday's unthinkable, horrible acts of
terrorism against our people. Words cannot properly express our sorrow
for the victims and their families.
For those of us who come from New York and New Jersey, our friends
and neighbors who work in lower Manhattan, who commute every day from
our hometowns, their families and their lives have been changed forever
by yesterday's unspeakable events, as well as for our military and
civilian personnel at the Pentagon. We feel for their loved ones, their
children, their spouses and family members whose lives have been
irreversibly changed forever.
We also salute the courage and professionalism and heroism and
generosity of so many firefighters, police, emergency and medical
personnel, and many volunteers of their own blood, food, shelter and
comfort. These volunteers have and continue to offer themselves so
unselfishly.
[[Page H5521]]
The President and all Americans pledge our support to assist all the
families and victims of these tragedies.
We will hold accountable those responsible wherever they may be, that
they may be brought to justice. We will do all that is called for and
all that is needed in defense of our country and its citizens and to
bring these criminals to justice.
As Americans, we have always known, ``Freedom is not free.''
Countless Americans have fought and secured these freedoms, and now as
our Nation is again tested, we will be as strong as a Nation, united as
a people, and more committed than ever before to the defense of our
freedoms, our citizens and our great Nation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard), my friend and
colleague.
Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in
strong support of this resolution expressing heartfelt condolences to
the victims and families directly impacted by yesterday's horrific acts
of violence and in condemning the cowardly acts of terrorism against
our country.
These acts were intended to shatter the very foundation of American
society, but instead this violence has highlighted the fact that we
Americans are strongest and most united in the face of adversity.
This is evident as we watch the heroic effort of the men and women
who are valiantly responding to help the victims of these murderous
acts, and it is evident in our Nation's resolve and unity to find and
to punish those responsible for these unconscionable acts of violence
against innocent Americans.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the
victims, and I assure them that we as a Nation will not rest until the
enemies responsible for this attack upon our country and, indeed,
democracies everywhere have been brought to justice.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my good friend and colleague.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for
yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, Margaret Thatcher once said that the U.S. was unique
because it was the only country whose very existence was based on an
idea, the idea of freedom. Whether on a battlefield or in a factory, at
home or abroad, in peace or confrontation, it is the American heart, an
unbridled and unyielding spirit, that has pulled us through over 200
years of freedom.
On September 11, 2001, America's calm was shattered by a horrendous
act of terrorism. There is no doubt that this day will long be
remembered, and our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives
have been forever altered by this tragedy.
America responded to this tragedy the way we have responded to past
ones, by coming together and reaching out to one another. Yesterday,
Americans rushed to the aid of their fellow Americans without thought
of the possible consequences to themselves.
Even as we pull together to recover from this tragedy, one thing is
perfectly clear and has been made over and over again today and
yesterday: America has never, nor will it now, yield to terrorism. Make
no mistake, we will find and bring to justice the despicable
individuals who in any manner helped carry out these heinous crimes.
They have made a fatal miscalculation and should expect swift and
severe retaliation by the United States of America.
Those who perpetrated this heinous act have reawakened a sleeping
giant, and they should know that their acts of cowardice will never
break our spirit or lessen our love for freedom and democracy. Their
evil has united us and will make us stronger and more resolved to fight
for the ideals upon which this great Nation was founded. The attack on
America may change our view of the world but it will not change our
American spirit.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), my good friend and
distinguished colleague.
Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in support of
this resolution before us.
I come to the floor deeply distraught and outraged by the senseless,
terrorist actions perpetrated yesterday against the American people. My
thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these crimes and with
their families, and I wish to pay special honor to those who call Rhode
Island their home: Amy Jarret of North Smithfield; Carol Bouchard from
my hometown in Warwick; Renee Newell of Cranston; Shawn Nassaney of
Pawtucket; and David and Lynn Angell of Barrington. Sadly, in the
coming days, I fear that the names on this list will grow, and I offer
my deepest condolences to the loved ones of these innocent victims.
For more than two centuries, Rhode Island, and indeed America, has
been a bastion of democracy, freedom and tolerance, principles and
ideals that were targets of yesterday's cowardly attacks. However,
Rhode Islanders and all Americans are also known for their independence
and strong spirit. Our resolve and love for freedom will not be broken
by terrorism.
As a member of the Committee on Armed Services, I vow to do all in my
power to find those implicated in these attacks and bring them swiftly
to justice.
Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, all these terrorists have done
is awakened a sleeping giant, and now this Nation stands united. It is
our responsibility in Congress to protect the American people and our
democratic ideals, and I stand by the President and our leadership in
these endeavors.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr).
(Mr. BURR of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, a new day has dawned in America. Yesterday morning, our
Nation felt the full force of terrorism and saw the real face of evil
in an attack designed to cripple this Nation by cowards who hold no
regard for human life. In a carefully coordinated and well planned
attack on symbols of our Nation's strength, they sought to destroy the
very foundation of our democracy. In this new day, the entire world has
learned they failed.
Their cowardly attack has shaken our country and has taken from us
some of our best and brightest, but they had not crippled our Nation.
Their attempt to destroy our democracy has only served to make it
stronger.
Our Nation, united and with great resolve, will see its way through
this ordeal. As Americans, we will comfort our grieving countrymen. As
Americans, we will heal our wounded. As Americans, we will bury our
dead. And then, as Americans, we will remember why they died and track
down those who perpetrated this act. We shall not be deterred. and we
shall not be defeated.
Yesterday, an act of war was carried out against these United States.
Today, a united American people are prepared to rebuild their lives and
communities. Driven by the principles of democracy, this place that
some call America and we call home has been strengthened because the
American people have strengthened.
America will remain a beacon for peace and freedom around the world.
American history will document the devastation caused and the lives
that were lost, but the new dawn highlights our greatest asset, the
resolve of the American people.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), a member of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, this is a simple measure but heartfelt. There
is no way to express our feelings of grief and sorrow for the American
citizens who are dead and injured from this horrible, gruesome,
barbarism that struck our Nation yesterday and our cities of New York
and Washington. My condolences go out to all of the innocent people who
suffered from the brutality of these world terrorists who sought out
the innocent to complete their cruel missions.
Those who committed this atrocity are, simply put, the scum of the
Earth and they must be punished. The acts of terrorism must not be the
daily concerns of Americans. We must be able to feel secure in our
homes. Acts of terrorism must be stopped. As a Member of Congress, I
will work to make sure that the terrorist organizations that carried
out this horrible act and those who helped them and protect them are
destroyed. I am willing to commit all
[[Page H5522]]
the resources necessary to accomplish this goal.
Our President stated yesterday, ``Our resolve has been tested, and we
will show the world that we will pass that test.'' I agree. I can only
add that our action must be swift and decisive.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).
(Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. We need
to take proper action.
Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I rise today and offer my
condolences and prayers to the families of the victims killed in New
York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Our nation has faced an unspeakable
evil that will forever color how we live our lives and conduct our
policy. Our world has always been a dangerous place, and it will
continue to be so. After leaving this historical building yesterday, I
wasn't altogether sure we would see it again. This building,
representative of our freedom and democracy, is a very large target for
those who oppose our country. It will continue to be a target.
Of course, if that fact can change how we work here, then the
terrorists win. It is for us to set the example of getting back to
work, condemning this act of war and horror, and hunt and return for
justice the person or people who did this. If there is a nation
involved, we will judge them as part of the effort and attack with the
vengeance of the strongest nation on the face of the earth.
Our sacrifices throughout the 20th Century meant that--largely--
Americans had no fear of attack on our nation. Pearl Harbor pierced
that fearlessness for a moment, and September 11's Trade Towers-
Pentagon attack differs only in that Pearl Harbor was a military base
and that it was attacked by a nation on which we could declare war. We
knew who they were and where to find them.
This situation teaches us that the price of freedom today will be
borne by the everyday patriot who goes to work in a high-profile place
as they stand on the front lines of danger. The front lines of danger
today are banks, industry, borders, monuments and government buildings,
in addition to our military bases. And it is our duty to stand bravely
on those lines and put the possibility of danger in the back of our
minds. If we are guided by the danger of where we are, the terrorists
have succeeded in striking fear and terror in our hearts, and they can
win in our minds what they could never win on a field of battle.
Yesterday, our democracy was damaged, and today it evolves to remain
supreme. We lost no freedoms for the moment, but this nation not only
has a strong military, we have enormous resolve and the pioneer spirit
that settled a continent, explored space and leads the world in the
global economy. It is easy to see why there are those who despise us;
but they despise us for the very thing that makes us great: our spirit
and our fortitude for freedom.
This is a call for this century and this generation. Nothing has
really moved you to think about what this country means to you, how
fragile our liberties are? Then let this moment in history move you.
Let it move you to a greater understanding of our nation and our
constitutionally-protected liberties, let it move you to appreciate
those liberties, let it take us to a deeper understanding of who we are
as a country. We are many people from many countries in a single
nation. We are from every corner of the planet, yet we share the
liberties of this nation.
This tragic attack killed men women and children from nations
throughout the world, and the response upon the criminals should be a
world-wide response. We have many different ideas that divide us on
policy, but that is the meaning of America, many people, many ideas,
but one spirit. Let no enemy misunderstand when these many people speak
with one loud, angry voice: we will find you and we will punish you. We
are stronger than you and more powerful than you and we have more moral
courage than you because we value life. Even when you attack innocents,
Americans will always fight back, and we have evidence that this place
could well have been spared for the heroic efforts of some of the
victims on the plane in Pennsylvania.
Let this moment move Americans to bear the burden of going to work on
behalf of our nation with the fearlessness of our soldiers on a
battlefield. Let it move each American to remember these immortal words
from the foundations of our nation, ``Don't tread on me.''
America is a powerful force with which to be reckoned. We will find
the responsible party. We resolve to find who did this--we punish our
enemies. We will do this in memory of every victim of this terrorist
act, and we will do it on behalf of the liberties for which the victims
of this attack died in a battle they did not anticipate.
We should express a special appreciation of the firefighters and law
enforcement officers who gave their lives in the effort to save
civilians in the rubble of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Law
enforcement officers and fire fighters have a tremendously painful job
to do and they are ready exhausted.
Please say a prayer tonight for the injured and unaccounted for here
and in New York, pray for the victims' families involved in this
murderous attack, pray for the people who are helping them find their
loved ones, and pray for our nation, that we exercise good judgment in
our quest to make someone take responsibility for this.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. LaFalce), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee
on Financial Services.
(Mr. LaFALCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LaFALCE. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and
Franklin Delano Roosevelt said that day shall go down as a day of
infamy. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked, and I
believe that day will go down as our day of greatest infamy. Over 2,000
were killed at Pearl Harbor. I fear that the dead and injured in
yesterday's sneak attack will be far, far greater than that.
Tom Brokaw wrote a book entitled ``Our Greatest Generation.'' I
enjoyed that book. I was proud of the men and women who made up, who
make up, that greatest generation. We responded to the attack on Pearl
Harbor with unity; decisively, forcefully. And I am supremely confident
that we will match the American response of the forties, that we are
unified, that we will act decisively and forcefully, as decisively and
forcefully as we acted against Japan, and that perhaps one day our
present generation might be known, because of our response, as the
greatest generation.
Many people believe in a supreme being. Some call the supreme being
God, others refer to Yahweh and others refer to Allah. I only hope and
pray that whatever one's faith, we will all come to realize that we can
only serve the supreme being's will by acts of love, not by acts of
killing. I hope that day will come soon.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), chairman of the
Committee on Armed Services.
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Yesterday, our Nation suffered an unimaginable tragedy. The separate
attacks that took place in New York and Washington were deliberate acts
of aggression against our country, our people, and our way of life.
Together, they constituted the worst act of terrorism directed against
the United States in our Nation's history. Yesterday was one of our
Nation's darkest days.
Those who planned and perpetrated these outrageous acts of terror
deserve our unanimous condemnation. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to
those injured in yesterday's attacks, and to the families, friends, and
loved ones of those who lost their lives for no other reason than the
fact that they were Americans. As Chairman of the Armed Services
Committee, I also wish to express my sadness at the tragic loss of life
of military and civilian personnel at the Department of Defense. This
resolution also appropriately commends the efforts of the emergency
service workers and other volunteers who have demonstrated through
their courageous rescue efforts what it means to be an American.
This is the time for Congress to unite in support of the President
and his efforts to take all necessary action against those responsible
for this tragedy. If we fail to do so, the terrorists have won. It is
time to recognize that the United States can no longer fight terrorism
according to the rules of civilized behavior. Terrorists know no rules.
Their aim is to commit the mass murder of innocent civilians.
Yesterday, they succeeded--right here, on our own shores. We must
resolve not to let them succeed again.
The scourge of terrorism is not new, and America is no stranger to
terrorist attacks. But yesterday's events demonstrate that this threat
has taken on a new and more deadly form. It also demonstrates that our
Nation's geographic distance from areas of conflict and turmoil no
longer provides a guarantee of security. For these reasons, we need to
ensure that our military forces remain second-to-
[[Page H5523]]
none--sufficiently equipped and trained to defend against, and respond
to, any act of aggression against our Nation, our people, or our
interests.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an appropriate expression of our
sympathy for the victims of yesterday's attacks and our support for the
President's actions in response. I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Horn).
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 11, our Nation was
assaulted in a vicious, well-planned and cold-blooded act of mass
murder. Many have compared these horrible acts with Pearl Harbor.
Certainly our shock, horror and anger are similar, and both acts were
planned with military precision. But Pearl Harbor was an open act of
war against military targets by a clearly identified aggressor.
Yesterday's attacks were an assassin's strike against innocent men,
women and children, chosen as victims solely because they were
Americans. We are deeply angered and properly outraged by these acts,
as we were on December 7, 1941. But now is the time for calm and
deliberate, thoughtful countersteps to protect our Nation and to end
this deadly threat. We should take special care not to repeat the
mistakes of 1941. Many Americans of Japanese ancestry were interned
during the Second World War. Those interned never committed a sabotage
of any sort. Finally, the Federal judiciary recognized that. In fact,
many Japanese Americans joined the Army and served our Nation with
great skill and courage.
{time} 1800
Those who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Italy and
Europe were the most decorated unit in the United States Army.
That should teach us to guard against unthinking stereotypes and
prejudice. We should not think that those who may look like our enemies
are in fact allied or even sympathetic to those who are behind these
despicable actions.
We should be working with NATO and the Arab world, our Gulf War
allies. Those who believe in democracy must stand with us. Those who
reject our call to arms against terrorism must not receive support from
us. It is a time to act.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
(Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's cowardly terrorist attacks on the United
States leave us with images of horror that will remain etched in our
hearts and minds forever: The innocent passengers of the four hijacked
flights, all of whom died; the thousands of workers in the World Trade
Center and at the Pentagon who simply happened to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time; the brave firemen, policemen and emergency medical
personnel, many of whom were lost as they worked to save those in need
in New York and Washington; all of the families whose loved ones are
unaccounted for or who remain in harm's way.
Thousands of our fellow citizens have lost their lives and thousands
more have suffered injuries, many of which will change their lives and
those of their families permanently. My thoughts and prayers go out to
all the victims of these attacks.
Mr. Speaker, these tragic images are unimaginable. Yet we know that
they are real and the perpetrators of this nightmare must be identified
and brought to justice. Let the word go out to those responsible for
this devastation and to all enemies of freedom: Have no doubt, we will
do whatever is required to punish those responsible for these
despicable acts of war and all who harbor these barbaric criminals.
Mr. Speaker, Americans have always known that freedom is not free. It
often comes with a tremendous cost and it often imposes tremendous
responsibilities. Throughout our history, our citizens have always been
willing to pay that price. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice of
their lives and their fortunes so that all of us will continue to
receive the blessings of liberty. My generation and my parent's
generation faced Pearl Harbor. Yesterday's terrorist attacks are
another day of infamy, a day that will be our children's and
grandchildren's Pearl Harbor.
Americans have always risen up as a nation and faced every challenge
presented to us. Once again, in a moment of crisis, our citizens have
gathered in unprecedented numbers to donate blood and offer other forms
of support. The heart and spirit of the American people remain
indomitable.
America is at war with terrorists, but this war is different and will
present different challenges. It will be a war without end, one that
will require permanent vigilance. The challenge for all of us will be
to assure that America remains the land of the free while we take the
steps required to prevent this from ever occurring again. I know that,
together, we will do whatever we need to do to face down and defeat the
new challenges of terrorism.
As President Lincoln reminded us at Gettysburg, while the world may
not long remember what we say here, we will never forget what occurred
here. So it is with yesterday's attacks. We will never forget the
sacrifices of all of the victims of terror. We will honor their
sacrifices by waging and winning the war against terrorism, holding
true to our friends and our commitments, and preserving our way of
life.
Mr. Speaker, words are inadequate to convey our horror at what
occurred. Yet as we intensify our fight against terrorism, deeds are
far more important than words. We stand united as a country and as a
Congress. We will not rest until every person responsible for these
acts is brought to justice. We will hunt down the terrorists and make
whatever sacrifices are required to preserve our freedom and liberty.
No matter what the price, we will defeat evil. There will be no
appeasement. Our cause is just. Our great country will prevail.
May God grant his peace to the victims and to all who mourn. God
Bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill).
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, we often see ourselves as Democrats and Republicans,
Methodists or Presbyterians, black or white, Gentiles, Jews or Muslims,
before we see ourselves as Americans.
But today we are Americans first. We need to look no further than
yesterday for evidence of this. Men and women, young and old, risking
their lives, giving their lives, to come to the aid of those in need.
As a Nation, we pray for those whose lives have been forever changed
by these acts, and we give thanks for the blessings which remain:
family, liberty, friendship, and home.
Now we turn to the task ahead: finding the cowards who did this and
making them pay. Then we shall repair our injured cities and restore
our sense of security.
The enemy has attacked our way of life. They want to make us less
trusting, less safe, less free. Less American. They underestimate the
resolve of the American people.
So let us remain uniquely, proudly, and defiantly American.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I will leave it to others to ask why. Today
I rise with my colleagues with firm resolve to send a message to our
enemies that engage in terrorism that we are at war. America and her
people will stand together today, as we have in the past, and defeat
our enemies.
Here in the great hall of democracy, in the well of the House of
Representatives, I personally call for a declaration of war so that we
may unleash the full might of our country's resources upon our enemies.
We must give our institutions, the FBI, the CIA, the armed services,
the full legal authority to act and protect the life and property of
the United States of America. We must authorize reprisals against our
enemies and those who harbor them.
In closing, I say God bless America and God bless our President
during these times.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).
(Mr. BALDACCI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution, for
the tens of thousands of people who have mobilized to search for the
victims and care for the injured and all the people around the country
that are doing all they can.
Mr. Speaker, I am outraged and saddened by the heinous atrocity that
was committed against our nation yesterday.
[[Page H5524]]
My thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the victims and
their families. We have not yet begun to comprehend just how many
people were murdered, injured and affected by this attack. I am also
praying for all who are involved in the rescue efforts that continue.
Tens of thousands have mobilized to search for victims and care for the
injured. Maine medical professionals have contacted me to find out how
they can help. I know that people around the country are doing all they
can to contribute to this effort.
Once the victims are fully accounted for, I expect there will be few
of us who will not know someone who was killed or injured or someone
who knew a person who was killed or injured. This is truly a national
tragedy. I spoke this morning with a Maine man whose brother, a New
York City firefighter, has been killed. I know that there are many
others in Maine who are grieving or awaiting news.
We as a nation, working with our allies, will expend all necessary
resources to identify who is responsible for this attack, and take
action to ensure that they are swiftly and severely punished. We will
identify states that have harbored and supported terrorists, and ensure
that they are swiftly and severely punished. This was an act of war,
and we will respond as such.
As a nation, we must begin the process of rebuilding. The rescue and
clean-up efforts will continue for some time. New security precautions
must be taken at our airports and other locations. Lives and buildings
must be rebuilt.
We must also begin to heal our national sense of safety which has
been badly shaken. We will not allow terrorists to send us cowering,
but we recognize that we will never again feel the same as we did
before this unspeakable horror.
My staff and I are back at work, and stand ready to assist any Mainer
who is in need of help. We will be giving blood and doing all we can to
contribute in a meaningful way to the rescue and rebuilding that are
underway. As a Member of Congress, I will be working to provide the
resources necessary to rebuild our nation, to enhance our counter-
terrorism efforts, and to ensure the safety of the American people.
Although the scourge of terrorism is not new, the scope and
destructiveness of the attacks yesterday were unprecedented in American
History. We have been forced to acknowledge that the possibility of
massive attacks on US soil is painfully real.
Yesterday America was gravely wounded, but we will heal and grow
stronger. Americans will rise to the occasion and fight this scourge
just as we have risen to defeat past threats to civilization and
democracy. Yesterday's actions were not mere acts of terrorism and not
mere crimes. Rather they were savage acts of war on the American Nation
which must be met with a proportional military response.
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by
this tragedy. Let those who are responsible know clearly: this will not
stand.
May God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).
Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday many of the people of my district
in New York were struck by tragedy. We lost family and friends,
firefighters and police, loved ones and heroes.
One of those heroes is Ray Downey of Deer Park, the New York City
Fire Department's Chief of Special Operations Command. Ray responded to
the attack on the World Trade Center and is still missing. His family
still has hope, but they need our prayers.
For all of our families, we offer prayers. For Mayor Giuliani and
Governor Pataki we offer thanks. And for the cowards who committed this
crime, we submit our resolve.
Today is a day of mourning, a day of outrage. But it is also a day
when we all come together. In this hallowed Congress, which we thought
might be under attack just yesterday, we stand proudly today.
Our nation has seen bloodshed, but we are not bowed. We have seen
disaster, but not defeat. Our American democracy, built by Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, and Lincoln will not be weakened by cowardly
terrorists.
Today the world sees the true greatness of America in the people
giving blood, in the emergency workers clearing the rubble and saving
lives, in the clergy fostering faith. And at the right time, at the
right place, these terrorists will see the true strength of America as
well.
Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues have quoted a great President,
Frank Delano Roosevelt, who stood in this place summoning our nation
into a great crusade. I would like to share other words that he used in
that same speech on that same day of infamy. He said, ``With confidence
in our Armed Forces, with unbounding determination of our people, we
will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sweeney). The Chair wishes to inform the
Members that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has 18 minutes
remaining and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) has 3 minutes
remaining.
Authorizing The Clerk to Make Corrections in Engrossment of H.J. Res.
61
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the
engrossment of H.J. Res. 61, to include corrections in grammar,
punctuation, and capitalization, and to make other such technical and
conforming changes as may be necessary to comply with the order of the
House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), the distinguished chairman of
the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise with so many of my colleagues today
in strong support of this House Resolution to condemn the terrorist
attacks on America. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the
thousands of Americans who lost friends and family during yesterday's
terrorist attacks. We grieve today for our nation's loss, but we will
never lose America's resolve to remain a beacon of justice and freedom
in a world where these values are under constant threat.
These attacks claimed victims from all across the Nation and killed
many from my State of New Jersey. One victim was Victor Saracini, a
United Airlines pilot and native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, who died
when his hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center. Victor is
remembered by his family and friends from South Jersey as a brave man
who would have never submitted to the will of the hijackers, and I am
sure he did everything possible to protect the passengers and the plane
and to thwart the hijackers. I extend my deepest sympathies to his
family, to his wife and to their two young daughters.
There are, sadly, too many other names of victims that will come out
in the days to come and will touch people in every corner of the
Nation. I know that Congress joins with me today to mourn their loss
and to send our condolences to their families.
Even under these horrible circumstances, heroes arose. I want to
commend the emergency personnel from New York and Washington D.C., who
immediately mobilized to lend aid and assistance to the people of New
York City and to those working in the Pentagon. I would also like to
praise the local residents of southern New Jersey who, after hearing of
the attacks, left their homes and workplaces and joined the emergency
service personnel who traveled north to assist those in New York who
needed the help.
Finally, I would like to recognize the stalwart efforts of the Coast
Guard personnel who have deployed up and down the East Coast to provide
security for our bridges, tunnels, and ports and to render assistance
in the finest tradition of the Coast Guard service.
Mr. Speaker, terrorism has attacked America and declared war on our
nation. We must now act to punish both the terrorists who planned and
carried out these dastardly acts, as well as those organizations and
states who harbor and encourage this. I urge all of my colleagues to
strongly support this resolution.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
during consideration of H.J. Res. 61, pursuant to the order of the
House of earlier today, debate on the joint resolution be extended 2
hours, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking
minority member of the Committee on International Relations.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
[[Page H5525]]
There was no objection.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), 2 minutes for
herself and 2 minutes to give her an opportunity to read the statement
of our colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
(Mrs. LOWEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today full of anger and
outrage, heartbreak and hope.
We are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, united in our
resolve and determination. Yesterday's terrorism was not just directed
against national landmarks and individual Americans. These terrorist
attacks were directed at the very idea of America itself.
Our response to this attack tests the strength of our international
alliances, the integrity of our friendships, and the endurance of all
nations in the struggle to build a world in which peace and freedom are
the highest ideals.
We have a tremendous opportunity and an awesome responsibility to
redouble our efforts to purge the evil of terrorism from our global
community. Our allies are mourning with us and offering their prayers.
But we must have their unqualified support and cooperation in this
battle.
Let me make the ground rules absolutely clear: no country that
harbors terrorists or sponsors terrorism will benefit from our defense,
our commerce, and our aid. No one who teaches children hatred instead
of games will find comfort from us. No more glorifying violence. No
more praise for martyrdom. Those who rejoice in our tragedy must be
exiled from the community of nations. And we must demand the help of
our friends in the world community in this crucial effort.
My colleagues, like so many yesterday, I watched the TV in horror. My
children called to share their shock and to tell of a friend whose
husband, trapped on a high floor in one of the Towers, called only to
say good-bye to the wife he knew he would never see again. All around
him, his colleagues were on the phone to their loved ones for the last
time.
We hear these stories over and over again. To all those who have lost
so much, we want you to know that our hearts and prayers are with you,
that all of America stands with you.
For the man who called to tell his wife just one last time that he
loved her, for the hundreds of brave officers, firefighters, and rescue
workers who sacrificed their lives so that others might live, for all,
we will find those responsible; and we will bring them to justice.
There will be no safe harbor for those who would visit such enormous
devastation on our citizens.
Our Mayor, our Governor and our neighbors faced catastrophe with calm
and humanity. We are very proud of them. Americans should stand with
our President. We will face this tragedy together. We will comfort and
support each other, and we will prevail.
Friends, our people and our landmarks have been attacked, but the
essence of America is indestructible. Our core principles, justice,
liberty, and democracy, will remain forever unscathed. Let us say a
prayer for our country and our people.
Mr. Speaker, my good colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler), is in New York. It is in his district where this catastrophe
occurred. He asked me to read his statement.
``Today, I am at home with my fellow New Yorkers in this terrible,
dark hour, but did not want this tragedy to pass without expressing my
words on this floor of the longest and greatest democracy in the world.
``Like all Americans, I watched with a heavy heart the details of
this attack and its aftermath emerge on the news. And like so many
people, I still wait to hear word of friends and colleagues that were
in the lower Manhattan area yesterday and pray for a miracle. The
feelings I have of great sorrow, disbelief, and anger towards those
responsible are feelings that I hope and pray I will never have cause
to feel again in my life.
``My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families
who suffered needlessly at the hands of cowardly terrorists, to those
police and firefighters who died, and who are risking their lives as
this very House meets. I offer my sincerest gratitude to the many
heroes who emerged yesterday, as well.
``Unfortunately, we all too often forget the great sacrifice that the
men and women of New York's finest and bravest make every day, until
tragedy hits. After yesterday, with 300 or more firefighters and police
feared dead, I do not believe we will ever forget how they lay their
lives on the line every single day so that they may save ours.
{time} 1815
Just as they stand up for us, we must now stand up for them.
Therefore, and this is the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler)
speaking now, ``I will introduce legislation today which will allow for
an expedited benefit payment process to the families of those police
officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty yesterday in New
York and at the Pentagon.
``I have spoken with the White House; which has assured me that
whatever Federal assistance New York needs, it will get. I have been in
constant contact with FEMA, which wanted me to stress just how
important the need for blood is during this crisis. I urge all those
who are able to donate blood, to call the Red Cross hotlines, at 1-800-
HELP NOW. If anyone has any information on either of yesterday's
attacks, contact the FBI at 1-866-483-5137.
``Mr. Speaker, all New Yorkers understand and feel empathy for those
who lost loved ones on hijacked flights. New Yorkers, and indeed all
Americans, will remember those victims at the Pentagon, for putting
their lives at risk and paying the ultimate price, so that we can live
our lives in freedom.
``In the end, that is what this comes down to--our freedom. To the
majority of the world, our Nation stands as a beacon of hope. To those
who want to crush freedom, to have people live in fear, our Nation
stands as a rebuke as well as a threat.
``However, what those enemies of freedom fail to understand is that
no amount of physical damaged can kill the ideals for which this Nation
stands. Just as Pearl Harbor roused the sleeping giant to crush those
who attacked it, this Nation must crush those who have declared war on
us now.
``Let there be no mistake: We are at war, and have been for some
time. We must make it clear, we will find those terrorists responsible
for yesterdays attacks and punish them. That we will find, and punish,
all those who seek to murder innocent people through terrorism. To
those nations harboring and protecting terrorists, all the while
pretending to be America's friend, you are no friend of ours. If you
encourage hatred of the United States, and proclaim these attacks some
sort of heroic act, you are no friend of ours. If you pay tribute to
terrorists, you are no friend of ours. If you do not fully cooperate
with our efforts to find terrorists and bring them to justice, you are
not friend of ours.
``Today, we stand united, to mourn our losses, but determined to show
the resolve upon which our Nation has always prided itself, as we
rebuild. We will show the strength that can only be found in a free
people. In the words of Lincoln, today, `we here highly resolve that
these dead shall not have died in vain, that this Nation under God
shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people,
by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.'
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), a member of the
Committee on Rules.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time.
Yesterday, terrorists attempted to spread fear throughout this great
land as they murdered innocent men, women and children. These cowards,
in effect, declared war on the United States; and we will fight back.
America is the light of freedom and opportunity around the world. Those
cowards attempted to extinguish that light from the world, but we will
never allow it to be dampened.
The American people will now demonstrate their resilience. America
will show the world that in the face of tragedy it becomes stronger,
and the American people become more united. As the sun rose this
morning, the light of American freedom burns stronger. Americans from
all walks of life have come together in pursuit of the common mission
supporting all necessary action to end the scourge of terrorism.
Americans continue to search for survivors and comfort those who
suffer. Our prayers go out to the victims,
[[Page H5526]]
their families and the valiant rescue efforts.
The American people, Mr. Speaker, are a peaceful people. Americans do
not seek to conquer other peoples or commit violence against others;
but because of America's power and prosperity and freedom, America and
Americans are hated and envied by resentful forces of evil in the
world.
The battle before us will be long and difficult, but the United
States has overcome before, and it will do so again. Americans, united
together, will send the cowardly terrorists shrieking in fear when they
realize the resolve of the American people and the brilliance with
which America's light of liberty shines.
God bless this great Nation, a beacon of freedom.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm).
(Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution condemning the terrorist attacks against the United States.
Today, we in the House of Representatives feel the need to speak of
the unspeakable: yesterday's evil, perpetrated by cowardly forces who
cannot muster the courage even to reveal their faces. Evil is difficult
to speak about and yet, as yesterday's events remind us, its horror
calls forth responses which reveal even greater good, greater strength,
greater wisdom than we knew possible.
It has been said repeatedly in the past 24 hours that America has
been changed forever. There is much truth in that statement. Just as
the attack on Pearl Harbor altered the psyche of the American people
nearly 60 years ago, we cannot deny the loss of innocence and carefree
confidence created by yesterday's heinous deeds. Tragically, the
horrendous loss of 2400 American lives in the Pacific may even be
exceeded when the final toll is tallied in New York City, Washington,
and Pennsylvania. How can we possibly comfort all those who grieve
those deaths or thank those who died trying to make our Nation safer
and stronger?
But those dear losses are not the only changes which have been
wrought in our Nation. Contrary to the terrorists' intentions, their
acts have also borne a new unity among the American people, a renewed
sense of solidarity and commitment to each other. Folks in Michigan
waited hours in lines to donate vital blood for victims in New York
City. School children in Texas dressed in red, white and blue to
support the uniformed troops and civilians killed at the Pentagon in
Washington.
Here in Congress, we are changed. Each of us, regardless of party
label or ideology, has set aside our differences to swear a unified
commitment to supporting those most harmed, to relentlessly seeking the
perpetrators of this act of war, and to bringing about a swift and just
response. Both Democrat and Republican stand solidly behind our
President as he leads us in all of those efforts.
And around the world, there is also a change--a new understanding of
the threat which exists to all civilized democracies. In expressions of
support which could not have been imagined a few years ago, former
enemies as well as long-time allies across the world have expressed
their sympathy and their willingness to stand with the United States in
fighting the perpetrators of this horror.
Let us not forget, though, that while some things have changed, much
remains the same. Our enemies stole American lives thinking that they
could steal our American Spirit. They were wrong. Our hearts are indeed
broken today but our spirits are not only intact, they are
strengthened. Bricks and mortar may have been leveled but the American
Spirit stands. The attempt to cut us down has only deepened our
devotion to democracy, freedom and justice.
The beloved Twenty-Third Psalm asserts, ``Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.'' These sacred
words do not deny the existence of evil or pretend that we can be
spared from facing it. But they remind us that we need not fear that
evil. Why? Because God is with us, preparing the safe and proper way if
we will follow.
Our enemies and those who harbor our enemies should understand what
they have done. The tragedy which they have caused already is being
transformed into unity and that unity will become strength. Perhaps the
giant was sleeping. We became too accustomed to choosing convenience
over security. We have tilted towards privacy over prudence. We became
over-confident in our impenetrable shield. But make no mistake; the
giant is now awake. Americans may need to make the sacrifices which a
state of war requires but we are committed to making those sacrifices.
This is war. It is not a war for territory or possessions but it is a
war for democracy and freedom. It is a war for security and peace. It
is a war which the united and civilized nations of the world will
relentlessly pursue and win. September 11 will live in infamy but it
will not die in impotence. Evil may be unspeakable but it will not be
victorious.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), my friend and
colleague.
(Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution of the
condemnation of this heinous attack on our country.
Mr. Speaker. Southern West Virginians know loss. We hope and pray for
the victims of these attacks and their families as other Americans have
hoped and prayed for us in the past. Our nation's motto is E. Pluribus
Unum: Out of many, one. Americans always display this unity best when
disaster strikes our fellow citizens.
Yesterday's attacks did not kill only Washingtonians and New Yorkers.
The victims came from across this country. At least one family in my
own District was torn apart. Dr. Paul Ambrose, a talented and public-
spirited young physician, was aboard one of the airplanes that the
terrorists crashed. The sympathies of all America are with Ken Sharon
Ambrose of Huntington, West Virginia, today. We will avenge their loss.
America seeks peace, but it is not blind. The people who planned
these attacks are out there, and we know that they still pursue their
evilness. Their celebrations will be short, because America's resolve
is sure. I support the President's vow to punish these murderers and
those who give them shelter.
As the death toll mounts in the aftermath of the most vicious
terrorist attack ever perpetrated on Americans and America, I ask the
good Lord to give us the courage, wisdom and conviction to bring those
responsible to justice.
Certainly, the horror of this attack has been etched into the minds
and hearts of all Americans. It is time to mourn the dead. To care for
the injured. But it is also time to plan for our future, and to take
actions to insure that the lessons of this attack will not be lost.
That those who perished will not have done so in vain.
America will persevere. We are not weakened by this attack, but
rather, will grow stronger. Out of these flames of death, an even
stronger American spirit will be born. And the beacon of freedom, of
our Democratic institutions, will burn even brighter upon the world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), my distinguished colleague.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation was attacked by cowards. I, like
all of my colleagues, am equally outraged by this attack on the people
of the United States. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the
victims and their families. As the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Hastert), the Speaker of the House, said yesterday, we as a Congress
and as a government stand united.
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that this was an act of war. We
must find those responsible and bring them to justice. We must do so
swiftly, with the full might and power of the United States. We will
find those responsible for these mass murders, and they will be
punished.
We, likewise, must develop the response that will destroy the very
system responsible for this attack on our freedom. The global terrorist
organizations that take refuge in some nations across the world must be
destroyed, and any nation who protects any terrorist network or who
provides shelter or refuge to these terrorist networks are on notice
that they will also be subjected to the justice and the might and power
of the United States military if they continue to protect those
responsible for these mass murders.
This attack was intended to bring down the most powerful Nation in
the world, to paralyze our government and to weaken our resolve. This
has not happened and they have failed. Last night, our President spoke
from the Oval Office of the White House, and Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld never actually left the Pentagon while working with
some of the rescue crews and consulting with the national security
team. Last night, the world saw and heard representatives of the people
[[Page H5527]]
of this Nation speaking with one voice. Today, we are all here on the
floor of the House ready to continue our work. We will not allow
cowards to shut us down.
No one will ever forget the images that we have all seen in the last
2 days. We must never forget those who lost their lives. My thoughts
and prayers are with those rescuers working around the clock to save
those trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, have changed the face of
America forever.
I have no doubt that we will respond to this crisis in a very
American way . . . we will unite, we will defend our freedoms, we will
persevere.
In closing let me commend all those first responders that worked so
hard and have sacrificed so much, the police, the fire fighters, EMS
and medical personnel and our own dedicated, committed and very
professional Capitol Police.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds), a member of the
Committee on Rules and a deputy whip.
(Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, no words can adequately express this
Nation's sense of loss and outrage over yesterday's vicious, cowardly
attack on two of our country's most recognizable landmarks, one of
which is in my home State of New York.
This was an attack not only on America, but as British Prime Minister
Tony Blair remarked, on the free and democratic world.
The death toll of innocent Americans will certainly surpass that of
Pearl Harbor, and as quickly and as assuredly as America came together
to defeat fascism and imperialism at that time, we must quickly and
decisively come together to defeat this enemy of a free and democratic
world.
Many have said that after yesterday, the face of America will be
changed forever. That may be true, but what will not change is
America's heart, America's character, and America's continued belief in
the principles, ideals and values that have made this country the
freest, most prosperous Nation the world has ever seen.
Like many in this Chamber and across America, I await the names of
the dead, the missing, and the injured of friends, in both public
service and the private sector, who worked in New York's World Trade
Center; and I pray for them and their families, all of the victims and
families in New York, the Pentagon, the hijacked aircraft, and for
those who have put themselves in harm's way, our police and our
firefighters, medical and emergency crews, and countless volunteers,
that they will carry out their mission safely and successfully.
It is true that we have suffered tremendous loss of life and property
at the hands of faceless cowards, but make no mistake. This is not a
faceless enemy. The people of this country are united. The full
resources of this government, and the courage, spirit and resolve of
the American people will be brought to bear to find you in whatever
corner of the world that you may hide. You have no safe harbor. We will
see that justice is served.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns).
(Mr. TOWNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution,
and my prayers go out to the families.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Resolution 61, the Joint
House-Senate resolution expressing the sense of the Senate and the
House of Representatives regarding the attack on the United States. In
addition, I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers to the people
and families who have lost or are missing loved ones and to all
Americans as we mourn this catastrophic attack on the American way of
life.
Mr. Speaker, our hearts are heavy. Our minds numbed by the terror and
senseless tragedy of the attacks that we witnessed in person or in our
living rooms in my city and our capital over 36 hours ago.
The death toll has not been tallied. We will likely not know how many
innocent lives were taken from us for some time. We have seen the iron
clad character of my fellow New Yorkers and all emergency services
workers who responded to these heinous acts of terror--giving up their
own lives in the hopes of saving innocent civilians. In particular, I
honor all of the police, fireman and emergency service technicians who
continue to work to save lives. We must continue to stand together
against this or any other attack on our freedom with untold heroism.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), my distinguished colleague and good
friend.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation was a target of the
most despicable and cowardly acts of terrorism in our history. We come
here today, our hearts heavy, with prayers for healing and comfort for
the many victims and their families.
The forces of darkness have broken our hearts, but they have not
broken our spirit. To the contrary, those who sought to advance their
cause by shedding American blood have instead sown the seeds of their
own destruction.
The citizens of our Nation are a proud and resilient people. For over
200 years, Americans have fought and died to protect freedom and
liberty. We now face a new challenge from a faceless enemy who has
absolutely no regard for the sanctity of human life.
We cannot and we will not tolerate terrorism. We will find those who
are responsible, and we must use the full strength of our military
power against those forces of evil and those who give them aid and
sanction.
The spirit of America was best exemplified today by a brave New York
firefighter searching through the rubble of the World Trade Center for
one more survivor. He uncovered a tattered American flag, and he
climbed to the top of the remains of a leaning north spire, raising the
flag to express the spirit of patriotism shared by all Americans in
this time of national travail.
A new chapter in our history was opened yesterday. Its opening pages
will forever be emblazoned in our memory, but the strength and
character of our people will fill its pages with the same resolve we
have shown in the defense of freedom throughout our history. Today we
urge all freedom-loving people to join us in our shared commitment to
peace and security around the world. May God's grace be with all of
those who suffer today, and may God forever bless our great Nation.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for
yielding me this time.
I rise today in solidarity with the American people and my
constituents in central New York to condemn this brutal act of mass
murder committed against innocent and good American people.
I will never be capable of understanding how anyone could hate so
much that they could point a plane full of innocent travelers at a
building full of innocent workers for any reason, political,
philosophical, religious, or nationalist.
Our Nation was injured yesterday, but I believe we will come out of
this stronger. It forces us all to dig deep to recall who we are and
what we stand for, to look back at the values America was founded upon,
and to draw strength from the sacrifices of these most recent martyrs
for democracy, and going forward to secure our future by fighting back
against this invisible enemy and making decisions to ensure our safety
and our freedom.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), my dear friend and
distinguished colleague.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, in his extraordinary book, ``Night,'' Professor Elie
Wiesel observed that when events are unspeakable, it takes some time to
find the right words.
Yesterday's events are unspeakable. Try as we might, we cannot find
the right words to fully express our grief, our sympathy, our pain, our
outrage.
Words may fail us, but the images of yesterday's attacks are forever
indelible on our minds. We will never forget the scenes of planes
striking buildings,
[[Page H5528]]
huge structures tumbling, our fellow Americans lying dead in New York
and Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.
These are the images I will not forget, but they are not the ones I
seek to remember. Instead, Mr. Speaker, today I dwell not on the images
of yesterday's villains, but on its heroes; not on the acts of
indescribable evil, but of incredible humanity. Because through
yesterday's darkness and horror came the bright light of American
courage, the compelling beacon of goodness and strength.
We are uplifted by the heroism of firefighters, police, military
personnel, and emergency workers who plunged into the carnage and saved
many victims. We are inspired by the selfless way that strangers
reached out and are reaching out still to open their arms and hearts to
fellow citizens.
{time} 1830
We are amazed by the long lines that have formed all over the country
of people donating their blood.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the terrorists destroyed our buildings and
they killed many of our brothers and sisters, but they did not destroy
the American spirit. They will never defeat our resolve. They cannot
undermine the principles of freedom and democracy that undergird our
society.
Mr. Speaker, like so many Americans, I have turned to find strength
today in scripture. Let me now read from Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 31:
``They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall
mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They
shall walk and not faint.''
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), distinguished chairman
of the subcommittee.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Americans were reminded in a very vivid and
morbid way, and a pitiful way, of the cost of freedom. We were
subjected to attack by faceless cowards who believe that our liberty is
in some way dangerous. They could not be more wrong.
But as we have seen in the past, adversity sometimes brings out the
very best in Americans. Ordinary people turn into heroes. Some we will
hear about, others we will never know about, but the truth is that
there were more acts of heroism yesterday than there were acts of
cowardice.
We know the bravery of the hundreds of rescue workers, the
firefighters, and the policemen who tragically died in New York. We can
wonder at the courage of the pilot of the flight that crashed in
Pennsylvania.
Was this crash an act of self-sacrifice by the pilot, crew, or
passengers which prevented a repeat of the tragedies at the Pentagon
and the World Trade Center? Was this plane intended to destroy this
magnificent Capitol of democracy that we are sitting in today? Do we
who labor here owe countless passengers or crew our very lives?
We will always be grateful for the efforts of these men and women who
lost their lives in the line of duty who will not be going home to
their families, and who paid the ultimate price just to help others. We
pray for their families and we pray for their loved ones.
As a Nation, we will mourn the loss of our neighbors, family members,
and friends, and as a Nation, we will avenge their deaths. We will not
let this despicable act go unchallenged. Those responsible will pay an
awesome price.
In many ways, our Nation will forever be changed by these disasters,
but they will in no way diminish the spirit of the freest people who
have ever walked the face of this Earth, the American people.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
I rise in strong support of the resolution. My heart goes out to
everyone who experienced a loss, and to those still waiting for news
about their loved ones. To the families of the 278 heroes, the
firefighters and police who are missing and presumed dead, I offer my
deepest condolences.
I also offer my support and praise to the rescue workers and
countless volunteers who are searching, as we speak, for survivors and
victims. Like many of my colleagues and many Americans, my first
reaction was to assess the safety of my family, especially my son,
daughter-in-law, and my grandson Henry, who live in New York City.
Though my news was reassuring, hundreds, even thousands of people did
not enjoy that same fortune. Yesterday's tragic events tore at the
heart of America's fabric, and I believe that every American's life was
affected. It is from that very fabric of community that we derive our
real strength, not just from our economic energy or from our military
might.
Mr. Speaker, we are strong and will remain strong. The attacks serve
as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by a free country, and
especially by those whose lives are devoted to protecting our country,
whether at home or abroad. We must never forget the threats that exist.
Anger and rage and evil roam the Earth, and at times these forces
converge unexpectedly. Yesterday, millions of Americans started their
morning routine. Americans went to their places of work. They boarded
airplanes, just like every other day. Then these routines were
violently interrupted.
Yesterday showcased the worst and best of humanity. The precision
strikes indicate a foe that cleverly calculated this move against the
very heart of our community. Yet, Americans are able to rise above the
grief and horror.
To my colleagues and to all Americans, I say that now is not a time
to abandon our priorities. As we work together to heal, we must
continue to look forward and work to ensure a world safe for our
children and grandchildren. We need to let our grief and our anger and
our outrage work for us, not control us. Let us act with the careful
and considered judgment that we as Americans possess.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the chairman of
the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations.
(Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today joining my
colleagues, Democrats and Republicans alike, in support of this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, the American people need to know just how dangerous
today's world is. Many have presumed that with the passing of the
Soviet Union and the East-West confrontation that peace was at hand.
That without these formidable enemies, America no longer had to worry
about attacks.
Tuesday's tragedy sends a message--loud and clear--that there are
those who have no concern for innocent human life. They will kill with
malice, with no other goal except to prove they can strike at the
world's most powerful symbols of freedom. This was not a political
statement or a military attack. It was murder, an act that is abhorred
by all nations and faiths. We must do whatever is needed to protect our
homeland from such unconscionable criminals.
Our nation is in shock and mourning. Americans are too big-hearted to
understand why a group of inhuman thugs would bring these attacks on
thousands of innocent victims. We will spend this day rallying to
support the families of those who perished and the brave rescuers who
are desperately trying to find any who might have survived. We will
show our resolve that America will rise to this challenge and overcome
it to remain the beacon of liberty and optimism.
In the days to come, we will dedicate ourselves to finding who
planned and executed this despicable act, and prove to them that we
will do everything in our power to bring them to justice and ensure it
can never happen again. To those who shared the cowardice of the
hijackers: We will not rest until justice is served. To those who have
harbored these criminals in the past or consider sheltering them in the
future: We will hold you accountable and make it clear that it is a
terrible mistake to support attacks on America.
For the future, all Americans must realize that our world can never
be entirely safe, and accept that we must commit the resources
necessary to meet the threat of those whose fanaticism blinds
themselves to their humanity. I join all of my colleagues in pledging
our support for the President in all of his efforts to protect our
citizens. I have every confidence that we will work together--that all
Americans will work together--to meet this challenge and overcome it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend
[[Page H5529]]
and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), chairman of
the Committee on Science.
(Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, this tragedy was unspeakable,
unimaginable, unbearable, unbelievable. Suddenly, we have a sense of
being overwhelmed by a reality that had been inconceivable just
yesterday morning.
All Americans, I think, have reacted with the same mix of emotions:
fear, anger, loss, horror; perhaps most of all horror, a horror that
keeps creeping back as one tries to return to daily life.
But this tragedy has also evoked the best in people as we have united
to reassure family and friends and neighbors and even strangers; as
Americans have lined up to donate blood; as New Yorkers and
Washingtonians and volunteers from across the country have rushed to
offer their services and expertise; as police and firefighters and
other rescue workers have made the ultimate sacrifice.
We are going to need more of that in the days and weeks ahead as the
full enormity of this horrific crime hits home, as we figure out how to
deal with the future threats in this wholly unfamiliar and unexpected
world in which we now find ourselves.
But for now, we must concentrate on recovering emotionally and
returning to daily life. We must, with clarity, as Lincoln said, bind
up the Nation's wounds and care for him who hath borne the battle, and
his widow, and his orphan. We must pray that some day we will live to
see the biblical prophecy fulfilled, the prophecy that is the
antithesis of care: ``Each shall sit under his vine and under his fig
tree and none shall be made afraid.''
They can destroy our buildings, but they cannot destroy our spirit.
They can bring us to tears; they cannot bring us to our knees.
Today, America is united and strong and determined as we stand tall
and face the future.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, it is a bit unusual on this floor, which usually
reverberates with debate, but I would like to begin by asking for a
brief moment of silence for the victims, their families, those still
risking their lives to attempt to rescue survivors.
Our first responsibility is to the police, fire, and EMTs still
risking their lives for rescue and recovery efforts. I have been
assured by the administration that all necessary and available
resources have been sent to their support.
I further understand that all the resources of our combined law
enforcement and intelligence agencies, along with those of our allies
around the world, have been brought to bear to track down these
terrorist mass murderers to their roots. I am confident that the United
States of America will be obdurate in exacting justice from those
responsible. We each need to do what we can in our own way and for our
own part.
For my part, I am determined that the improvements in aviation
security, which I have advocated for more than a decade, will no longer
be turned aside by cost concerns of the airlines. We can afford, and
Americans are willing to pay, not only for an improved system of
aviation security, but also to assure that our law enforcement, our
intelligence agencies, and our military have the resources necessary to
respond to this act and credibly deter future acts of mass terrorism
against our people.
We will be secure within our borders in the United States of America,
and we will not cower within our borders, either.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp), a member of the
Committee on Appropriations and a member of the Helsinki Commission.
(Mr. WAMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, we know that fear is one of the most powerful
forces in the world today. Yesterday, the lowest of the low, the dregs
of our international community, used fear to carry out inhumane acts on
all of humanity. Today, we claim the truth that one force is greater
than fear. That is love.
Throughout the ages, love has conquered fear over and over again. Our
love for our fellow man will overcome fear of these outrageous
criminals. Our love of freedom will overcome our fear of tyranny. Our
love of country will overcome our fear of terrorism. Our love of God
will overcome our fear of Satan himself. Our love of goodness will
overcome our fear of evil. Our love of peace will overcome our fear of
war.
Mr. Speaker, today we stand together, our President, the United
States Congress, and 270 million people, mourning those lost,
comforting those left behind, praying for our Nation at this dark hour.
Yesterday, our House Chaplain, Father Daniel Coughlin, prayed that
``In God we trust,'' our Nation's motto, but that today, may it be our
strength.
Much of our character has been born from adversity. An even stronger
America must rise from the ashes of these fiery crashes so that good
does once again triumph over evil.
May the peace of God that passeth all understanding be with us now
and forevermore.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
dear friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Pelosi), the distinguished ranking member of our Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a day from hell, a day when terrorists who
do not value human life engaged in a demonic act which has touched
everyone in America; indeed, in the world.
Today, over and over again, in contrast, we hear our colleagues
express the exhortation ``God bless America.'' And indeed, in the
spirit of the American people, God has blessed America. God blessed us
with the courage of the public safety workers, including hundreds of
firemen who plunged into a burning, crumbling building to help people
escape, risking their own lives; indeed, sacrificing them.
God blessed America with the compassion of the American people across
our country, giving blood and offering to help in so many ways.
God blessed America with the determination of our public servants in
this building, our Capitol Police, the military, and so many others who
are helping this government go forth, foiling, foiling the plot of
these terrorists who want to create panic in our country and stop our
government.
The magnificent city of New York, which has led our country in so
many ways, will rise from the ashes like the great Phoenix and will be
stronger than ever. People across the country all have a special
fondness for New York. It is the center of commerce and the arts, and
its beautiful and magnificent diversity is a source of strength to our
great country. The energy of New York will not be deterred.
That will be our message: New York rising from the Phoenix, leading
the recovery of our entire country from this terrible tragedy. That is
the message to the cruel, cowardly terrorists: God has blessed America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), a member of the Committee on
International Relations.
{time} 1845
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 61.
Terrorists have declared war on America. What happened yesterday was
not merely a crime, it was an act of war. It was a massive attack by a
foreign power, a terrorist organization on American soil.
We are used to calling terrorist attacks the senseless acts of
cowards. But this was a sophisticated, calculated and coordinated
attack by deadly savages; trained terrorists. The perpetrators knew
precisely what they were doing, why they were doing it, and how to do
it.
At Pearl Harbor, over 2,000 Americans were killed in the attack. Many
more than that died on Tuesday. Innocent victims perished for no other
reason than that they were Americans. We did not ask for this war.
America has worked tirelessly for world peace since its founding; peace
in Middle East, in
[[Page H5530]]
Europe, in Africa, in Asia, and in Latin America. But America stands
for more than just peace. America stands for freedom and democracy.
We have proved to the world that freedom and democracy work. But many
haters of freedom remain in the world. Those who continue to espouse
ideologies like radical Islam and Stalinism despise freedom because
they do not like to be challenged. They cannot stand the light of day,
and so they kill. And we are their target because America is the
preeminent champion of freedom. They believe because we are free we are
also weak. But they are wrong.
We will find out who the terrorists are. We must seek them out and
punish them severely. This is no time for a measured response. This is
a time, without apology, to bring the full measure of military force to
bear on these terrorist organizations.
As thousands of bodies are pulled from the rubble in New York and
Virginia, we are watching more than a tragedy; we are witnesses to a
turning point in American policy. No longer will we coddle terrorists
and seek merely to bring them into courtrooms. Instead, we will treat
them as the military enemies they are. We will seek justice of the kind
seen in war.
On Tuesday, terrorists declared war on America. It is a war they will
lose. America will make sure of it. Freedom will prevail.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman).
(Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today all Americans must pray with one
voice; pray for those innocents killed in yesterday's cowardly attacks,
for those families torn asunder by this evil, for those rescuers,
police, fire, and health workers putting their lives at risk.
Let us all raise our voices today in one American prayer, then we
will bury our dead and we will care for our injured and all those
affected by this tragedy. We will pick up the pieces as one great
nation, and together we will have our justice with a sure and mighty
sword.
To the terrorists who conspired in this horrific crime and to those
who harbor those terrorists, know this: you are America's mortal
enemies. America is the strongest country in the world. We have the
will, the resources, and the power; and we will defeat you. We will
hunt you down like the evil murderers that you are.
In doing so, we will be demanding the assistance of every government
in the world. Those who help us, they will be our friends. Those who do
not help us, we will consider our enemies.
With one voice, America says to the cowardly terrorists and their
supporters, we Americans are still here. You have not stopped America.
You have not stopped freedom. You have not stopped what a great people
have spent 225 years building, the light of hope and humanity and
liberty for all the people of the world, the United States of America.
Those who came before us had to fight and die for their Nation and her
freedoms; from Lexington and Concord to Gettysburg, from the Alamo to
Omaha Beach, from the World Trade Center to the Pentagon.
Now, today, it is up to us, this generation of the greatest nation on
Earth, to be ready to answer the call for freedom. We are ready to
answer that call.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the distinguished chairman of the
full Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding
me this time, and I want to compliment him and the ranking member and
the chairman of the committee for having introduced this resolution. It
is important that the Congress, the House, the Senate, the President of
the United States speak in one solid voice that we will not now or ever
tolerate the type of terrorist activities that we saw brought upon our
shores yesterday.
Today, I have had numerous visits with those dealing with this
tragedy. One of the visits I made today was to the Pentagon. I visited
there last night. The Pentagon was still burning, and there are still
some electrical fires today in the Pentagon. But standing there in the
rubble and recognizing what happened there, recognizing how many bodies
were still entombed somewhere in that building, I might tell my
colleagues that it causes a great emotional effect on this Member, and
I think anyone there.
I would like to say that the firefighters, the rescue people who are
out there, the Red Cross, just everybody involved have done a
magnificent job in trying to deal with this terrible, terrible tragedy.
It is going to be fairly expensive to rebuild that section of the
Pentagon that is going to have to be rebuilt, and Congress has to
realize that. As I listened today to all of our Members, Member after
Member standing here in the well condemning terrorism and standing
strong for our country, because our country was attacked, this Congress
to a man and to a woman, Republican and Democrat, have made a
declaration that we are not going to allow this to go by without some
immediate reaction from us.
The President has asked for some funding to deal with the immediate
issues, the immediate damages that have been done here at our Pentagon
and in New York, where the terrible tragedy was unbelievable. And I
would announce to the Members that, after having worked with the
President's budget office today, the President's office, and with the
appropriation leaders of the House and the Senate in both parties,
tomorrow I will introduce a supplemental appropriations bill that would
give the President authority to move strongly, quickly, and swiftly. To
not only begin to rebuild and recover from the damages that have been
done to our people, our friends and our neighbors, but also to give him
additional funding for airport security, which obviously was violated
by these hijackers being able to take over four of our major airline
aircraft. He would have additional funds for counterterrorism
activities, and he would have the money to add additional assets to
hunt down, to search out, to find, to discover and to punish those who
were responsible for this dastardly act.
It is my intention, Mr. Speaker, that on tomorrow morning we will
introduce this bill, and I believe that we will be able to actually
consider it on the floor tomorrow before we adjourn for the day. I
would hope that, and as I listen to the Members who are speaking out so
strongly today, that we will again speak out strongly as we pass this
resolution to guarantee the world that we as the Congress, the
President, all of our people, are together in this determination; that
we are not going to take this sitting down, and we are going to protect
our country and our people from terrorists acts.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the ranking
member of our Committee on the Budget.
(Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, was a dark day in the history of our country.
Today, we are bloodied but not bowed. We are a country united. Here in
Congress we are neither Democrats nor Republicans, we are Americans,
and we have closed ranks behind our President.
We come here in this hallowed hall of democracy to express the grief
and profound sympathy of the whole country for the victims of
yesterday's heinous attacks and their families, and we come together
resolved to see that their loss will be avenged and never repeated.
These attacks were not just vicious crimes committed against innocent
people. As many have already said, they were acts of war against the
United States of America, and we must respond accordingly. We should
spare no effort in tracking down these culprits and their cohorts,
wherever they take haven, and striking back swiftly and severely; so
severely that even fanatics like these see that there is no gain from
such violence, not when it is committed against the United States of
America.
[[Page H5531]]
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), a member of the Committees on
Agriculture; Education and the Workforce; and Judiciary.
(Mr. GOODLATTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, as we adopt this resolution today
condemning the attacks against the United States, words cannot
adequately express the sorrow and anger we feel at this trying time.
Our hearts grieve for the families of those who have been lost to these
acts of terrorism, but the depth of that grief is difficult to fully
comprehend.
The sight of thousands of people spontaneously gathering at places of
worship yesterday gives us just a glimpse of the compassion in the
hearts of the folks around the country. But beneath that compassion
burns a white hot anger. It burns with a fury that begs to be unleashed
on the perpetrators of this act of war. Because we must make no mistake
about it, September 11, 2001, was the clarion call to arms in a new war
against terrorism. It will be unlike any war America has ever fought.
The enemy is nameless, faceless, and operates without borders.
We use words like barbaric and cowardly to describe this enemy, but
we must also recognize that this evil operates with cunning and
sophistication. They have the advantage of stealth, and we must
recognize that this enemy will continue their efforts until they
understand that America will never, ever cease to be a beacon of hope
and freedom to the world.
To those responsible for these acts of evil committed yesterday, look
closely at the American faces you see on the screen. Look at the
firefighters and police who risked and gave their lives yesterday. Look
at the faces of the medical personnel who work through the danger and
exhaustion to save lives. Look at the faces of the many Americans who
are waiting in line for hours to give blood or donate their time and
energies to defeating you. And look at the faces here in this House,
united in our resolve. We are defenders of a Nation built on principles
that can never be destroyed and never be extinguished.
We will find you. We will defeat you. And at that point, you will
know America's dedication to ensuring that freedom and democracy will
ultimately prevail over evil and terror.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Boyd).
(Mr. BOYD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J.Res. 61.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our great nation suffered its greatest
tragedy of a single day since the Civil War. I join all other Americans
who are shocked and outraged by the terrorist hijackings and attacks on
the World Trade Center and on the Pentagon.
With this attack, the United States has entered a new era. We have
been thrust into a new type of conflict and face an implacable enemy
who will not hesitate to destroy innocent life.
CIA Director George Tenet has said in testimony before Congress that
terrorist attacks are imminent. It is impossible to predict with
certainty where or when terrorists might strike again. But this
incomprehensible tragedy is a terrible reminder that we must take the
threat of terrorism seriously.
Let there be no mistake--the U.S. Government will investigate,
pursue, and seek convictions of the criminals who were behind this
cowardly attack. These terrorist attacks were truly acts of war, and we
will respond forcefully and appropriately. The United States will take
action against the terrorists and punish the governments that support
and harbor such criminals.
We must pull together as a country to grieve for all those we have
lost, to care for all those who were injured and support all those
families who have been affected by this tragedy. We must pull together
as one people to protect our nation and our way of life.
America must lead the civilized world in a relentless campaign to
root out and defeat terrorists and terrorist states. As we mourn the
tragic loss of life, the United States must remain resolute. Our
friends and our enemies alike must be made to understand that we will
not be deterred from the defense of our interests nor shrink from our
responsibilities.
This tragedy calls for the certain and severe punishment of those
responsible and requires a commitment by Americans to address our
vulnerabilities. We must understand that the struggle now upon us may
be long and difficult. Yet, America has always prevailed against her
enemies and will do so again.
Those of us who have the honor of serving our Nation in these
hallowed halls of Congress have a very difficult job to carry out. We
must always maintain the magnificence of our Constitution while moving
forward with the legislative challenge of balancing the need for
additional security versus our God given rights and the rule of law. I
believe that our Government has never before been faced with a larger
challenge than the preservation of the ideals of this Nation, while
still addressing the future.
But that is not enough. We must resolve to fight back against these
insane acts by committing the country's full resources in an aggressive
effort to determine who is responsible, to see that justice is done,
and to do everything possible to deter such acts in the future. As
former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig pointed out, our memory is long
and our reach is longer.
I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, while
expressing my gratitude to all of the emergency and law enforcement
personnel and other volunteers, many of whom have lost their lives to
help with our emergency response efforts.
I urge my colleagues strong support of this important resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings).
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, Stewart Meltzer, the nephew of Harvey Meltzer, died at
the World Trade Center yesterday. When Harvey called me, as is the case
with so many of us here with our constituents, I was stunned and had
little that I could say to him. America changed yesterday, and it is
changed for all time to come.
My overwhelming sense of horror, grief and, yes, vulnerability cannot
adequately be put into words. Obviously, my thoughts and fervent
prayers are with the friends and families that have been touched most
personally by these cowardly, cunning attacks.
{time} 1900
Like many Members, I have constituents, as I have said, who lost
loved ones yesterday. My heart aches for them.
My heart aches not only for them but for all America today. We were
all victims yesterday. But we stand here today to say to the citizens
of our Nation and the world at large, America is taller than the World
Trade Center, bigger than the Pentagon, and mightier than any
destructive device. America is an idea. This idea will never be
extinguished by despicable acts of terrorism. Indeed, the resolve of
every American to recommit ourselves to our ideals will be strengthened
forever. This is the spirit of America, today, tomorrow and in
perpetuity.
Today, we say to the rest of the world, though the color of our skin
and the religions that we preach may differ, Americans throughout this
great country stand united as one against anything that seeks to
destroy the liberty and freedom we enjoy. When American liberty and
freedom is threatened, we do not recoil but we rise up. Make no
mistake, the United States will not stand for these types of attacks on
our soil or in other lands. This is our history, and it is our destiny.
Mr. Speaker, it has been said before but bears repeating today,
freedom is not free. Yes, the cost of our freedom can be steep. In the
land of the free and the home of the brave, the pulse of America can be
felt everywhere we go. It can be felt in the streets of New York where
thousands of firefighters, police officers, doctors, paramedics, and
volunteers are working to save the lives of those who have survived and
recover the bodies of those who have perished. It can be felt right
here in Washington where the government of this great land continues to
work in this darkest of hours. It can be felt in the towns and cities
throughout the country where Americans refuse to stop living their
lives in the wake of yesterday's terror.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, mere words are not enough to
convey my feelings or the feelings of my colleagues today. However,
like Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg, ``The United States will
guarantee today that those who died yesterday will not have died in
vain.''
[[Page H5532]]
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), a decorated Persian Gulf War
veteran and chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, the dynamic of our Nation has been reshaped
by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This tragedy not only
destroyed the lives of thousands of innocent American civilians but
also violated each and every American's sense of safety and security.
No longer can we deny the fact that there are people in this world
who seek to violate our cherished ideals of liberty, wise tolerance and
an enduring peace. But those that live under the security of this
Republic are resilient. From the sorrow, confusion and fear will come
resolve, focus and confidence.
We are coming together in service, prayer and dedication to those in
need and we will persevere.
To those who committed this horrific and cowardly attack, your attack
on America and freedom itself has failed.
With the full force of the United States we will find those
responsible. They will be punished severely.
Nation-supported and subnational terrorism activities constitute an
asymmetrical threat upon our Nation's security. These terrorists groups
are not subject to the traditional calculus of deterrence.
We are now at war with terrorism. We must strike these vipers before
they strike again. We must also make a renewed commitment similar to
our investments and policies which worked to defeat communism. We must
work to strengthen our national security system by modernizing and
sustaining the U.S. intelligence community so its capabilities and
performance will be able to cope with the demands and challenges of
international and domestic counter-terrorism.
In our emptiness and in our grief and fear, we must turn to our faith
in God and the faith of this great Nation. We will show the world that
our ideals will not be compromised by those who believe they can scare
us into submission. I truly believe that goodness will prevail. God
bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the distinguished ranking member of the
Committee on Transportation.
(Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, all of us in this body together with our
constituents are attempting to comprehend and give voice to yesterday's
cowardly, merciless, and vicious act of terrorism against America and
against humanity.
Both anger and prayer welled up in all of us, as the Duluth News
Tribune headline put so succinctly. Pastor Randy Williamson opened the
doors of First Assembly of God Church in Hibbing to a steady stream of
his congregation. Most of them, he said, feel it is a wake-up call for
our country. It reminds us that life is fragile and that we are not
invincible. I think they are praying that God would have mercy on us as
a country and that our leaders have wisdom and courage and that they
would think through the situation and not just act on impulse.
Mr. Speaker, beyond the anger and the prayer lie some deeper thoughts
about aviation security. On December 21, 1988, the world of aviation
security was changed forever as a terrorist bomb tore apart Pan-Am
Flight 103 killing all 259 passengers and crew and 11 residents of the
small town of Lockerbie, Scotland.
That terrorist act propelled the families of those victims on a
tireless mission, to prevent such future tragedies culminating in the
creation of the President's Commission on Aviation Security and
Terrorism, which I authored and on which I served.
History, astonishingly, repeated itself with yesterday's tragic
events. Once again, aviation security was changed forever. We are again
challenged to reevaluate the state of security for domestic and
international commercial air service.
As we set about the task, I urge caution in making snap decisions on
drastic changes to the aviation security laws before we have had the
opportunity to fully assess what went wrong both in the aviation and
intelligence communities.
Mr. Speaker, the following is information on aviation security:
Over the last ten years, we have made great strides in enhancing
aviation security. In the Commission's 1990 Report, we found the
nation's civilian aviation security system to be seriously flawed, and
made 64 recommendations to correct those flaws, which culminated in the
passage of the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990. Six years
later, spurred by initial concerns that a terrorist act was responsible
for the TWA 800 explosion, President Clinton organized another
commission, the 1996 White House Commission on Aviation Safety and
Security, which made 31 recommendations for enhancing aviation
security. Again, Congress acted swiftly and, in the 1996 FAA
Reauthorization Act, included measures to intensify security.
The universe to be protected is enormous and growing--666 million
passenger enplanements annually, expected to grow to over 1 billion by
2010, with several hundred million pieces of luggage to screen.
Likewise, the magnitude of the threat is growing and changing.
Between 1961 and 1972, there were over 134 domestic hijackings. In
1972, in response to this rash of hijackings, FAA ordered metal
detector searches of passengers and x-rays of carry on bags. In 1974,
the Congress imposed these requirements legislatively with the passage
of the Anti-Hijacking Act of 1974.
As we installed metal detectors to find guns, the threat changed to
bombs aboard aircraft. Following Pan Am 103, and based on the
Commission's recommendations, significant steps have been taken to
invest and deploy new techniques and equipment to detect items that
pose an aviation security threat.
Since the passage of the 1996 FAA Reauthorization Act, Congress has
provided more than $350 million for deployment of security equipment,
and over $250 million in research funds. To date, the FAA has installed
92 FAA-certified explosives detection machines at 35 airports, 553
explosives trace detection devices at 84 U.S. and foreign airports, and
18 advanced technology bulk explosives detection x-ray machines at 8
airports. In addition, FAA has deployed 38 computer-based training
device platforms at 37 airports. The airlines have also invested
heavily in security equipment.
We have made great strides in aviation security. However, I have long
expressed my concern about reports that, although the FAA is deploying
this much needed equipment, there is no long-term strategy for
integrating that equipment into a seamless security system.
It is also of paramount importance to maintain passenger-screening
checkpoints and ensure that the screeners who operate them are
qualified. Millions of passengers and pieces of baggage pass through
our airports each day. However, high turnover, low wages, and lack of
adequate training hinder security screener performance. Both the
General Accounting Office and the Office of Inspector General have
uniformly described security screener performance as the ``weak link''
in aviation system. I believe that the FAA and the airlines share the
responsibility to ensure optimal performance of security screeners.
We have also received reports from the Office of Inspector General
regarding the ineffectiveness of FAA's background investigative
procedures, and the vulnerabilities in airport access control.
Congress responded to these concerns on two fronts: The Wendell H.
Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR 21), P.L. 106-181,
authorized $5 million annually for the DOT to carry out at least one
project to test and evaluate innovative aviation security systems. The
bill also authorizes such sums as may be necessary to develop and
improve security screener training programs; and such sums as are
necessary to hire additional inspectors to enhance air cargo security
programs.
Last year, Congress passed the Airport Security Improvement Act, P.L.
106-528, which requires criminal history record checks for those
individuals who apply for a security sensitive position as a screener
or a screener supervisor and adds several crimes to the list of crimes
that would disqualify an individual from holding such a position. In
addition, the law requires the expansion of FAA's electronic
fingerprint transmission pilot project into an aviation-industry-wide
program to allow for quick turnaround on criminal background checks,
and includes provisions to strengthen access control requirements.
The FAA must take a holistic view toward its security
responsibilities to ensure that all areas of vulnerability are
addressed. However, the airlines and airports also share in that
responsibility--and they should not put costs above passenger safety.
We must also be more aggressive in our intelligence gathering,
evaluation, and dissemination. This is the most challenging aspect of
[[Page H5533]]
our aviation security network. It is difficult to penetrate these
highly secretive organizations that operate on a war-like footing.
Counter-terrorism also requires renewed higher-level coordination
through Interpol, with our allies, and with other nations like Russia
and China, as the PanAm 103 commission recommended eleven years ago.
The skills of terrorists have stepped up several levels since the
Commission's 1990 report. We must ensure that our counter-intelligence
rises to meet that threat.
With the appropriate counter-intelligence efforts and security
implemented to the fullest extent, our citizens can forever enjoy the
freedom of travel that this great nation provides to the envy of the
rest of us world.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Joint Resolution 61. Like most Americans, the very first thing I did as
the tragedy unfolded was to call my family to ensure that everyone was
safe, and to assure them that I was safe.
My heart and my prayers go out to all those families who did not get
that reassuring phone call they hoped for. Today will be the hardest
day for them as shock melts to grief, and grief makes way for the anger
that is sure to come.
Today is the hardest day for us as a Nation. As we stated in this
resolution, this day stands as a national day of unity and mourning. It
is not a day for anger; it is a day of resolve: cold, calculated,
patient and unemotional and universal resolve.
In passing this resolution today, what we as a body say to Americans,
to the world community, and to those who perpetrated or aided these
crimes is simple: never forget and never again. Never will we forget
the terror and tragedy of this day. Just as our children and
grandchildren ask, Where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan
or when President Kennedy was shot by Oswald, so too will they ask
where were we when America was attacked by the stealth enemy of
cowardice and terror, now vanquished.
Never again will Americans face the horror and the loss that we feel
today. Never will we be lulled into a false sense of complacency that
the world is safe or that national security can ever take a back seat
to other more popular priorities.
Cynics say this is a resolution that is nonbinding, that it holds not
the weight of law nor the power of resources. Cynics are wrong.
Mr. Speaker, there is no more important statement this body has made
or will make that holds the strength and meaning of our vote today.
This measure is more than an expression of support for our people, our
values, our President. This measure codifies our commitment and unites
us in our pledge: never forget, never again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Eshoo), my good neighbor, dear friend and distinguished
colleague.
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, we have all come onto the floor of the distinguished
House and looked at whomever is in the chair, and then raised our eyes
just a little higher and looked at the words that are above, ``In God
we trust.''
I think it is very important today for our Nation to look at those
words again and repeat them, either out loud or silently, as a prayer
for our Nation, for those whose lives have been taken, in God we trust
that they are living in the face of God this evening; and to their
families, in God we trust; and ourselves, that we will help to heal one
another; and that in God we trust, have entrusted our lives in the
noble Americans that we have seen on the face of television that have
moved to take care of those that have fallen.
So in God we trust today in the ingredients of our democracy, that
are imprinted and engraved in the wood of the bench here that surrounds
the place where the President comes to address the Nation, and where
the Speaker, in our democracy in this House of Representatives,
resides. It says ``Union,'' and we believe in our Union.
Mr. Speaker, I recall the ingredients of our democracy. As I say
this, the entire world should pay attention to what the ingredients of
our democracy are: union, and make no mistake about it, we are unified;
in justice, that is at the desk, and those who are less than animals
who have done this to our people will be brought to justice; for
tolerance, our tolerance as we debate and that we will bring tolerance
to what these outcomes are; to liberty and understanding that there are
those who have to pay a price for that; and for peace, peace of mind,
peace in this land.
Mr. Speaker, in God we trust that we will honor the ingredients, that
we will honor those whose lives have been taken, that we honor the
Capitol Police tonight, and our staffs, I would like to thank because
they have worked very hard to take care of us, and to all of us we must
say in God we trust that our deliberations will bring about the results
that this magnificent Nation and our democracy deserves.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), a member of the Committee on
Armed Services.
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's devastating terrorist attacks
will forever be seared on our individual and national memories. It was
an unreal and incomprehensible assault on our people and our Nation.
When I awoke this morning, it was with the sad realization that the
attacks of yesterday actually occurred and claimed so many innocent
lives.
Mr. Speaker, I passed the Pentagon on my way to work just a few
minutes before the plane hit. This morning when I drove by the
Pentagon, it was a very real and very different scene. The smoke was
still pouring out, and the water was pouring in; but in a glimmer of
hope, the American flag continued to wave on the grounds of the
Pentagon. The American spirit will not be disabled.
It is shameful that thousands of American civilians gave their lives
for a cause they did not know, for an issue they were not concerned. An
attack against civilian targets of women and children, mothers and
fathers, peaceful and without prejudice is beyond comprehension in our
modern day, civilized world.
I mourn for the dead and extend my sympathy to the families of the
afflicted. In this hour of bereavement, I extend my gratitude and
praise for the men and women who risk their lives and continue to risk
their lives to find the victims and rescue the injured. The men and
women who serve to protect our society cannot pause to grieve, for
their job is far from complete. To the families who grieve, the
citizens who serve and a Nation that questions, I cannot underscore
enough the desire of this Congress to find the perpetrators and inflict
punishment.
Mr. Speaker, there will be an enormous price to pay, both to the
cowards behind these horrendous acts and to any nation that harbors
them. Yesterday, the United States of America was the greatest Nation
on the face of the Earth.
{time} 1915
Today, the United States of America is the greatest Nation on the
face of the Earth, and by the grace of God we will remain so.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), my friend and colleague.
(Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for
yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sorrow and sympathy that I join my
colleagues to condemn the horrific acts of terrorism yesterday in New
York City and here in our own Nation's capital.
On behalf of the people of Marin and Sonoma Counties, I extend
condolences and prayers to those who lost family, friends, and co-
workers. To those in our Bay Area community who are grieving for their
own losses in yesterday's terrorist attacks, we stand ready to offer
our support and console. To those who selflessly and bravely offered
themselves in our Nation's greatest time of need, we thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we send a message to those guilty of those disastrous
acts. Our message is that their acts of destroying the World Trade
Center, damaging the Pentagon, and using U.S. airlines to carry out
their brutal deeds of
[[Page H5534]]
death, those actions fully intending to destroy our democracy through
terror, death, and disability will not succeed. This Nation's steadfast
determination to support democracy will not bow to terrorism.
We will instead reach out, reach out to the victims and their
families. We will rebuild our cities and we will rebuild our
confidence. We will not let the forces of evil prevail or go
unpunished.
Yet, as we try to make sense of yesterday's senseless activities, we
will remember that our Nation's response to these acts will also leave
an indelible mark on the American people. Determining an appropriate
response and bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice
means that we must temper our absolute resolve with wisdom, and Mr.
Speaker, I have complete confidence that America will rise to the
challenge.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), a member of the
Committee on Agriculture.
Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
When examined in the context of history, yesterday will prove to be
the most tragic single day in the history of the United States.
It has been my experience that true character is revealed most
clearly in times of crisis. As we recover from this event, our
character as a Congress and a Nation will be demonstrated. There will
be several parameters that will be particularly revealing.
First, we can be divided, cast blame, point fingers and dissolve into
partisanship, or we can unify, pull together, and strive to be one
Nation. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Unity of
purpose is critical.
Second, we can become hesitant and fearful or we can show great
courage. The President's declaration that those who harbor terrorists
will be treated as terrorists is significant. Our pursuit of those
responsible for the attack must be focused and relentless. Yet we must
be certain that innocent people are not harmed in the process.
Third, adversity is a great teacher. We can learn from this event and
become a more vigilant and better prepared Nation. It is critical that
we correct flaws in our national security. It is equally important that
these corrections are made without acrimony and in a constructive
atmosphere.
Fourth, we can demonstrate the vitality of our faith or we can yield
to cynicism and despair.
It has often been said that America is great because America is good.
We were founded as one Nation under God, and our faith in God has
undergirded our Nation since its inception. Hopefully an event such as
this will underscore our reliance upon a power beyond our own and will
lead to a renewed dedication to serving and honoring God with all that
we have been given.
May God's favor rest upon this Congress and upon this people.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez), my friend and colleague.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for
yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Americans were both dumbfounded and outraged.
The scenes which were played out over and over on television were
something we are accustomed to seeing from Hollywood, not something
that happens here in America. Surely these scenes could not occur in
two of the most important cities we have, New York and Washington,
D.C., the symbols of capitalism and freedom. But they did.
Witnessing the horrific events of yesterday, I am proud to tell you
that my faith in America is strong and that my belief in tomorrow is
even stronger. The United States is mightier than any group of
terrorists. We have resolve and reassurance that our unity is strong
and our patriotism can never be doubted.
I will not allow the spirit of democracy to be destroyed. We will
stand tall as Americans together, black and white, rich and poor,
Democrats and Republicans, to ensure that an event such as this never
occurs again on our land.
As a member of the Committee on Armed Services and its terrorism
panel, I will stand with our President to locate the cowards who
harbored and funded these suicide pilots. Just as importantly, I will
continue to strongly support more funding for counterintelligence
activities and fighting terrorism both domestically and abroad.
It is really unfortunate that it took a terrible tragedy like the one
yesterday to force policymakers to rethink our priorities, and yet I
know I am safe in saying that none of my colleagues want to see a
repeat of yesterday.
So how can the mightiest, the wealthiest Nation in the world prevent
such an attack in the future? The first step is to take a look at our
priorities and make it an order that will reflect our desires to
protect American citizens.
I firmly believe that the biggest risk to our country, to all
Americans, is not some missile from some rogue Nation but terrorism.
Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, both are threats, but as a country we
need to get our priorities right. We need to devote more funds to
counterintelligence support and infrastructure and education of
terrorist activities. Yesterday was an assault on the freedom of every
American, and we must come together and offer our support.
Today, we grieve those who have lost their lives. As we pray for
their families, we speak in one voice to condemn these attacks. Today,
the healing must begin.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sweeney). In order for the managers to
better manage time, the Chair wishes to inform Members that the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has 50 minutes remaining, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) has 31 minutes.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), a member of the
Committee on Agriculture.
(Mr. GRAVES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution.
This is a solemn moment in our Nation's history. American men and
women, civilians and soldiers, firefighters and police, mothers and
fathers, were slain yesterday for a cause so terrible, so heinous, and
so despicable that we find it completely unimaginable.
Today, we struggle as a Nation to find meaning and hope in a
seemingly hopeless and meaningless act. In the days to come, America
will be united, shoulder to shoulder, in a struggle to meet the
challenges of a world that is a little less safe, a little scarier and
far less predictable. Nevertheless, we will unite to comfort our
families, our neighbors and our friends who have lost their lives,
their loved ones, and their friends through these acts of terrorism. We
will unite, resolved to find the terrorists and those that harbor them
so we can bring them to justice. We will unite in retaliation for a war
that has been brought to our soil. And, Mr. Speaker, we will prevail.
Our Nation will rebuild what these terrorists have torn down. We will
renew our faith that has been tested. And we will renew our
determination and our spirit that has been weakened but not broken. We
will come together and renew our love for our country and for our
fellow Americans. We will never forget those that we have lost, nor
will we forget the commitment we have made to them and their loved ones
to bring their attackers to justice.
Mr. Speaker, God bless the families and children grieving across this
great Nation today.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).
(Ms. HARMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this
time.
My generation lost its innocence when President John F. Kennedy was
assassinated. With yesterday's events, our children and our
grandchildren lost their innocence. My 16-year-old daughter asked me
last night how we could live in a country where planes crash into
buildings. My response, until yesterday, we didn't. Now we do. How we
respond to yesterday will measure us, Mr. Speaker. I want to applaud
our colleague who urged us yesterday to pray
[[Page H5535]]
for the wisdom to make the right decisions. It matters what we do and
how we do it.
Let us start with how. We must be bipartisan, balanced, and calm.
Panic and partisanship are our enemies. And as one colleague said this
morning, the Constitution of the United States must not be our next
casualty.
What. We must take bold steps, including, first, restructuring our
defense and intelligence budgets to meet the real threats of the 21st
century, not the outdated threats of the 20th. Second, give first
priority to counterterrorism, prevention being the most important goal.
Our arsenal to prevent terrorism includes diplomacy, human intelligence
and state-of-the-art technology. Third, strengthen efforts to train and
equip responders at the local, State and Federal level. New York City
did a magnificent job. So did the Capitol Police. And, fourth, respect
the civil liberties and intelligence of Americans. We are a generous,
courageous and resilient Nation. Given information, resources and
leadership, the American people will rise to any challenge and fight
down any assault to take from us our way of life.
We will defeat terrorism. We will honor the memories of my
constituents, Raytheon executives Peter Gay and Stanley Hall, and
Boeing employees Chandler Keller and Rubin Ornedo, all passengers on
American Flight 77.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), a member of
the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations of the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer on behalf of the
people of the 11th Congressional District of Michigan our thoughts and
prayers for each and every one affected by the tragedy. Words alone
cannot express the sorrow that America feels. Nor can words express the
anger America feels. These attacks were a cowardly assault on innocent
Americans, and this will not stand.
Make no mistake, these attacks were an act of war. All of us stand
firmly behind the President in his efforts to identify and punish the
perpetrators of these evil deeds. No one will rest until justice is
done on those who committed these heinous crimes and on those who
provided aid and comfort to those criminals.
Let me be clear. America's relationships with our allies and those
who would be our allies will be defined by their reactions to these
events and their support for our efforts to bring these terrorists and
their accomplices to justice.
Our Nation's capital has suffered as well. I have been in touch with
the city's leadership to assess their needs. As chairman of the
Subcommittee on the District of Columbia of the Committee on
Appropriations, I will do what I can to ensure that it has the
resources it needs to be as safe as possible.
Yesterday, we saw the worst of humanity. But it is the better angels
of our nature that will prevail. Terrorism tries to defeat us with
fear. Judging by the response of all Americans, fear is not winning.
{time} 1930
I returned to work today, as did all Americans, confident that the
United States of America is as strong as ever. We are bloodied, but
unbowed. Now is the time for us as a Nation to stand together and prove
that the principles for which we stand are stronger than the forces
that would destroy them.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, against this backdrop of an unfolding and
unforgettable horror, we draw our loved ones a little closer. Let our
prayers comfort those in pain and our gratitude sustain those who
rescue and protect and heal. As our grief yields to anger, we unite in
support of a swift response, commensurate to the evil, targeted against
the guilty, sufficient to deter others who would visit terror on our
shores.
The words of President Bush have been well chosen; his response has
been firm, but measured. All of us want to join our President with a
bipartisan display of national unity, just as we did last evening on
the steps of this Capitol. As President Bush well understands, nothing
good would be accomplished by attacking the innocent based on mere
suspicion.
In today's world, there can be no absolute security, no impenetrable
``Fortress America.'' For as long as tyrants exist, they will challenge
and demonize the United States because of our ideas of freedom and
liberty. We can only dedicate ourselves to determining how this
terrible attack occurred, redouble our efforts to protect our families
from the greatest dangers, and ensure that only the guilty bear our
retribution.
As we renew our declaration of war against terrorism, we know that if
our enemies could be easily vanquished, they would already be gone; if
we could buy our way out of such tragedies, the dollars would already
have been spent. More money may be needed for some purposes, but a
blank check is no substitute for policies that are sound, well
coordinated and effectively implemented.
Certainly the lessons we learn in this kind of situation and the
memories we take away are very individual. As I passed the Tidal Basin
yesterday and witnessed the smoke rising from behind the Jefferson
Memorial coming from the still-burning Pentagon, I will concede to
being moved by the juxtaposition, the gray smoke from the Pentagon
against this classic white marble structure where the words of
Jefferson are inscribed: ``I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal
hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.''
Today we join in subscribing to that same oath.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), a member of the Committee on
Appropriations and, of particular note, the Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations.
Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a dark cloak
of terrorism fell across the United States with the brutal and heinous
attacks on our country. The Nation watched in horror as events unfolded
and Americans faced the harsh reality of terror right on our own
doorstep.
In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, thousands of people lie in
the rubble. In the still smouldering center of our national defense
headquarters, many are still unaccounted for.
Our hearts and prayers go out to those victims and their families.
The surest consolation for those left behind, and indeed for all of us,
can be found in the confident knowledge that the blessings of this
Nation, life, liberty, and freedom, will endure.
One of our most treasured symbols of freedom is the Statue of
Liberty. Inscribed in the pedestal are these words of hope, written in
a different era, but which are appropriate today. They are taken from
President Franklin Roosevelt's State of the Union message less than 1
month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor: ``Liberty is the air America
breathes. In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look
forward to a world founded upon four essential freedoms: freedom of
speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear.''
Mr. Speaker, Americans today yearn to be free of fear, to believe
these terrorist attacks were an isolated incident which will not happen
again. Yet we have no such guarantee.
Americans should know that the forces of evil which perpetrated these
acts may make further attempts on our soil. These forces are not
readily identifiable. As the President said this morning, ``The
American people need to know that this is a different enemy than we
have ever faced.''
Mr. Speaker, that is why the United States must candidly acknowledge
that more resources must be devoted to our intelligence and defense
operations to defend against this new type of warfare. America will
respond swiftly, decisively, and with force to these acts of war on our
homeland; but we must also, to the best of our ability, make the
necessary preparations to protect our country from the threat of this
new warfare in the future.
We stand united as a Congress and as a country to defeat our enemies
and to preserve our freedom, now and forever. May God grant us the
resolve, the courage, and the national determination to overcome this
tragedy.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my
friend, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
[[Page H5536]]
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished
gentleman for yielding me time, and I thank the chairman.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the 18th Congressional
District, I offer my deepest sympathy. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am as
proud to be an American as ever, because we are not afraid. However, I
do want to express my deep pain and sadness regarding the tragic events
that took place on United States soil yesterday morning.
The aggressive and unwarranted seizing of civilian airplanes
originating at airports in Newark, Boston, and Washington, resulting in
violent attacks and explosions at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon
and rural Pennsylvania, have shocked the Nation and the world.
I would also like to express my deepest sympathies to the families
and friends of those involved in this horror of horrors. I hope that
all Americans upset by this tragedy have and will find solace in
churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or any place where peaceful
people might congregate to share their shock and sadness. This weekend,
I call for Americans to worship in unity together, praying for the will
of our Founding Fathers.
At a time like this, individuals who think little about the tenets
and principles that undergrid this government and this Nation are
reminded of the values of freedom and democracy we citizens of the
United States so often take for granted. We will also never forget our
loyalty to the rule of law.
It is important when the comfort of this Nation is shaken and we can
see what we appear to have lost, we then realize how great a nation the
United States is and how we must truly love our country. Thank you,
warriors of charity, our firefighters and police, emergency workers and
the U.S. military, in New York and Washington and the Nation, for your
selflessness.
As chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am amazed and
impressed by the efforts made by the American children to help each
other cope with this horrible tragedy. A member of my staff's younger
sister, a 14-year-old from New York City, recalled the dual shock of
the events she experienced at a nearby school. She explained that one
of her friends had lost his father who was traveling on the plane that
was crashed in the first World Trade Center tower. Another of her
friends lost both of her parents, who went to work in the World Trade
Center yesterday morning, but will never return home.
Despite the magnitude of this human tragedy, I am moved by this young
girl's optimistic perspective of these events which she experienced
firsthand. She explained that although her life and world have forever
changed because of this great tragedy, she felt safe and proud when her
classmates, children of all colors, creeds and national origins, came
together as Americans and drew strength from their collective diversity
and richness. We must not forget our children.
As the people of this country and the nations of the world look upon
this House, let me join my colleagues in stating unequivocally that
this Nation is one of one mind and one voice in this time of tragedy. I
will support the President and will work to ensure that all available
resources are devoted toward finding and holding accountable those
individuals responsible for this blow to world citizenship.
Might I also say that we must act now. How will we act? Congress will
act to provide the resources to stamp out terrorism. We will, however,
adhere to the rule of law. I will ask for an immediate assessment of
the security structure at our Canadian border. Finally, we should move
to convene a meeting with all the adoption and foster care agencies to
ensure that the children who have lost their parents will be taken care
of.
Finally, we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but
we will have no fear and we will fear no evil. God Bless America and
the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deep pain and sadness
regarding the tragic events that took place on United States soil
yesterday morning. These aggressive and unwarranted attacks on civilian
airplanes originating at airports in Newark, Boston, and Washington,
and explosions at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and rural
Pennsylvania have shocked the nation and the world.
I would also like to express my deepest sympathies to the families
and friends of those involved in this horror of horrors. I know that
many Americans lost some of the most important people in their lives
yesterday, and I know that mere words cannot express their pain. I hope
that all Americans upset by this tragedy have found solace in Churches,
Mosques, Synagogues, Temples, or any place where peaceful people might
congregate to share their shock and sadness. All Americans are stunned
at the magnitude of damage, the obvious and extreme loss of life, and
the uncertainty of huge totals regarding loss of life that we face in
the days and weeks to come.
At a time like this, individuals who think little about the tenets
and principles that under-gird this government and this nation are
reminded of the values of freedom and democracy we citizens of the
United States so often take for granted. When the comfort of this
nation is shaken, and we can see what we appear to have lost, we then
realize how great a nation the United States is and how much we truly
love our country. Perhaps this is but a function of God's Grace toward
our nation, because when faced with tragedies like those which unfolded
yesterday, Americans are reminded not of kings and aristocrats, but of
the constant struggle of American citizens of all races, colors,
religions, and national origins fighting for freedom, equality, and
justice for all.
As America watched the events unfold on television, we saw countless
examples of this collective American spirit animating individuals to
acts of heroism. I would like to especially recognize the selfless
heroism of the many thousands of New York City and National Police,
Fire Department and emergency service workers throughout this tragedy.
I thank the men and women of the U.S. military. They have worked and
continue to work through the most dangerous and catastrophic event in
American history. To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while
saving the lives of others, and to their families, I say to you ``Thank
you, and God bless you. Your faith and commitment to democracy and to
the sanctity of human life will make us all safer, healthier, and
better able to serve those around the world who thirst, above all else,
for freedom, democracy, and peace.''
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am amazed and
impressed by the efforts made by American children to help each other
cope with this horrible tragedy. A member of my staff's younger sister,
a 14 year old from New York City, recalled the dual shock of the events
she experienced at a nearby school yesterday. She explained that one of
her friends had lost his father who was travelling on the plane that
was crashed into the first World Trade Center tower. Another of her
friends lost both of her parents who went to work in the World Trade
Center yesterday morning, but will never return home. Despite the
magnitude of this human tragedy, I am moved by this young girl's
optimistic perspective of these events which she experienced first-
hand. She explained that although her life and world have forever
changed because of this great tragedy, she felt safe and proud when her
classmates, children of all colors, creeds, and national origins
came together as Americans and drew strength from their collective
diversity and richness.
In this darkest hour of our great Nation, perhaps our greatest pillar
of strength derives from our children who have endured and will
continue to endure for all of us here in America and around the world.
We must make every effort to ensure that these young people receive the
support and care they need to ensure that they never turn a hostile
face toward the world that has taken so much from them.
As the people of this country and the nations of the world look upon
this House, let me join my colleagues in stating unequivocally that
this nation is of one mind and one voice in this time of tragedy. I
support the President and will work to ensure that all available
resources are devoted toward funding and holding accountable those
individuals responsible for this blow to world citizenship.
The nations of this world should understand both our determination to
find the patrons of these heinous acts, and our collective faith that
we will pursue this goal with the integrity and conviction that the
gravity of the situation--and that the principles and Constitution that
have shaped this great Nation--require.
In pursuing the criminals and their conspirators who carried out this
attack on our nation, we will not, however, proceed with disregard of
either international or U.S. Law. It is centrally important that this
nation proceed hand in hand with the rule of law. The world must know
that these are not the acts of a vengeful nation. Instead, we must act
with the conviction and certainty the laws created under our
Constitution allow.
We are determined to proceed not with reckless abandon, mistrust, and
xenophobia,
[[Page H5537]]
but rather with calm, focused energy directed at the culprits of this
terrible crime against the United States. We understand that those
responsible for this attack on United States' soil are zealots and
extremists who have perverted a religion based on peace for their own
twisted political ends.
As we move forward in our pursuit of justice, we must also be mindful
not to assign collective guilt on any one group among us. I know that
at times such as these people have a tendency to generalize,
stereotype, and single out individuals who have had no hand in these
heinous acts. I have heard reports of Muslim schoolchildren being
harassed by others who misunderstand the complexities involved in
fighting religious terrorists. We must be sure to help Americans turn
away from such hateful and hurtful behavior, lest they lead to even
more violence and divert us from our purpose.
The United States will act against the zealots that committed these
crimes in a manner that eliminates their effectiveness and denies them
martyrdom. We will also act against third party governments who give
shelter and aid to these international criminals at the expense of
their peaceful and law-abiding citizens. My fellow Americans, the
United States will act to defend itself against all threats, foreign
and domestic, because we believe to the utmost in the peace of nations
and peace between all members of the human family.
The people of the United States are peaceful, and above all else, we
have faith in the freedom and justice that we no longer have the luxury
of taking for granted. We will allow this faith to guide the
instruments of the United States and the citizens of this nation who
will respond to the calls for justice that echo from around the world.
Like Psalm 23, this nation walked through the ``Valley of the Shadow of
Death'' yesterday. This nation, however, ``fears no evil,'' for the
strength of our convictions and the Grace of God comfort us, and we
have emerged stronger and more determined than ever.
The United States is faced with great challenges as we move forward
from this day of national emergency. We shall continue to pray and
heal, even as we pursue the authorities of darkness and zealotry to the
ends of the earth. As we proceed, let us be forever reminded of the
words of Isaiah 40:31; ``But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall
run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.''
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas), the distinguished chairman of
the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims of the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, we Members of Congress could not have been totally
surprised by the swiftness with which the firefighters and ambulance
drivers and police people and hospital people rushed to the scene, both
in New York and at the Pentagon. We should not be surprised, because we
have seen instances in our own districts, dozens of times, time and
time again, of the valiant work of the firefighter and the policeman
and the ambulance driver. But the sheer magnitude of what they did in
New York and the Pentagon charges again our admiration for their
service to mankind, service to their communities, and, yes, service to
our country.
So, with their efforts, we fulfilled and are still fulfilling the
three charges that are made to the American people and to the American
government: one, to take care of our wounded, our casualties; number
two, to prepare for restructuring of the damage that was done by these
terrorists; and, number three, as everyone agrees, to bring the
culprits to justice.
America has its priorities already set, and they were placed in order
by the valiant work of the firefighters and those who went to the aid
of others.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).
(Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, for the first time in 187 years, we have been
attacked in the continental United States. In 1814, during the War of
1812, both the White House and the Capitol were set on fire and nearly
totally destroyed.
In the time between, buttressed by two enormous oceans, Americans
felt an enormous sense of security. Today, that feeling is gone. It
will be a very, very long time before we feel safe again, like before!
We grieve--not only for the thousands who died yesterday--but for
ourselves.
Our natural human response is--first denial--then apathy--and then
rage.
The United States is the greatest, most powerful nation in the
world--a nation that cannot allow itself to react irresponsibly,
against innocent people, out of an act of rage.
America must be careful in its response.
Our prayers go out to the victims and families of the thousands who
were senselessly killed and injured. Our nation is committed to
eradicating terrorism and bringing those who orchestrated this atrocity
to justice.
We must not act in haste--by rushing to act out our vengeance against
fellow Americans--because America is the world's greatest melting pot,
and in today's society, we simply cannot guess at an individual's
country of natural origin by their appearance. We have to make sure
that we make war on terrorism--not on Arabs!
We must make a further distinction between the war on terrorism and
the war on Americans of Near or South Asian descent. There have been
many references to a second Pearl Harbor, and while the shock and anger
certainly are similar and warranted, that anger should not be directed
towards our neighbors in ethnic communities across the country. We do
not need the attitudes that will lead to a second wave of internment
camps.
We must set an example to the world. Americans will not lower
themselves to the mentality of a lynch mob.
We must not make a mistake in our response.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Lampson).
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to express
for the people of Southeast Texas and for myself our sympathy for those
who have lost loved ones in the horrible tragedy our country suffered
yesterday.
I have received many messages of well wishes and sympathy from
constituents and friends literally around the world. A member of the
French parliament, for example, asked me to please transmit his
profound sympathies to the U.S. Congress and the American people.
We thank you all for your prayers and support. The United States of
America is strong, and will not be shaken by such a cowardly act which
killed so many of our countrymen.
But, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a slightly different message
than my colleagues have spoken of so far, a message about children. As
adults, we have the ability to process this tragedy much differently
than how our young children do.
As Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited
Children, I wanted to ask the citizens of our country to be
particularly sensitive to our children's needs and to give them an
opportunity to discuss freely their feelings.
As adults, we need to be calm and focused for the children. We need
to receive support from other adults, so that we are able to
effectively guide our children. We must talk with our kids and listen
to them, find out what their fears are, what their concerns are, and
then try to address them as directly and as calmly as possible. We must
try to reassure them that there are adults there to help them and to
protect them, and, after giving them time to talk and to share, to
return them to their regular routine of school. Our children are worth
the time that we take to do this, and it is indeed important.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the police, the firefighters, the
emergency personnel and the magnificent citizens who sacrificed their
lives or who are still helping in this disaster. My heart and the
hearts of my constituents go out to the people of New York and of
Washington, D.C. I urge my fellow citizens to support our President as
we take swift and decisive action against the persons who perpetrated
this tremendously horrendous act of cowardice.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I
ask that God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), a member of the
Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
My thoughts and sympathies go to those who have lost family members and
loved ones to this dastardly deed.
Yesterday morning, while I prepared to come to the hill, I watched in
horror
[[Page H5538]]
on the television as the World Trade Center burned.
{time} 1945
Then a second plane I saw fly deliberately into the second tower. And
as I was watching that, I heard of the third plane crashing into the
Pentagon.
I, along with the rest of the Nation, was riveted to the news for the
rest of the day. Words cannot describe the feelings I had as I saw
those towers crumble. Through the immense devastation, I saw the
efforts of many Americans to save and help those victims who were
suffering so tremendously. Many of those heroes became victims
themselves.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard a lot of talk since then about what we are
going to do; but in the last few years that I have been here in
Congress, we have suffered other terrorist attacks and all we have done
is talk. This has to stop. This time, we have to retaliate; and we have
to do so so strongly that no one will dare attack us on our homeland
again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor).
(Mr. PASTOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my condolences to
the victims and my support for all of the people who are rescuing, and
I join my President in resolving to join him in finding those people
who perpetrated this crime.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and a deep resolve. I
rise in support of this Resolution.
Like all other Americans, and many from other countries around the
world, I am saddened by the events of yesterday. Our hearts weep for
the victims and families of this horrendous attack. Our hearts weep for
our nation. And our hearts weep for our civilization.
But, just as Americans of past generations have stared down the
grisly realities of malicious and wanton aggressions upon our freedom,
our livelihood, and our way of life, so we will rise up to denounce,
withstand, and battle this atrocity.
Let no one throughout the world misunderstand America's resolve to
end the senseless carnage that we observed yesterday. Let no one
throughout the world misunderstand America's spirit to defend democracy
and freedom. Let no one throughout the world misunderstand America's
will to prevail.
It is a time of sadness and a time of challenge in our nation. We
will continue to remember and revere those who perished. But we will
also meet this challenge with the conviction and the courage that has
made our nation the shining symbol of freedom throughout the world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge), my good friend and
colleague.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time
to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about yesterday's outrageous
attack on America. First and foremost, I want to express my sympathy
and condolences to the victims of these attacks and to their families.
Their unimaginable suffering that they have been forced to endure will
forever give them a unique place in America's collective hearts. We
pray that the good Lord, in his mercy, will comfort the innocent and
help them find a path to perseverance. We resolve that their loss will
never be forgotten in this country where we share their deep grief.
I commend the many acts of heroism performed by civilians, police,
firefighters, and countless others. The response of the American people
has been overwhelming, as people give their time, their prayers, and
their blood to assist our fallen brothers and sisters. Americans of all
walks of life have shown their true colors in this crisis, and those
colors are unmistakably red, white and blue.
Yesterday, we witnessed multiple acts of extreme cowardice,
precipitated by individuals so twisted with hate as to slaughter
innocent citizens, men, women and children who have done them no harm
and posed them no threat. The people of this country feel these attacks
deeply because we know that the target of those assaults were every
man, woman and child in this country. Freedom itself and our way of
life came under attack yesterday, and we must answer that call to
protect our citizens.
President Roosevelt correctly stated, ``We, born to freedom and
believing in freedom, are willing to fight to maintain that freedom.
We, and all others who believe as deeply as we do would rather die on
our feet than live on our knees.''
America stands today bruised and bloodied, but she stands
nonetheless. America stands unbowed. We will recover from this assault.
We will bury our dead. We will rebuild. And we will fight to maintain
our freedom.
Our enemy in this war may be elusive, but he is not invisible. Our
enemy may be sophisticated, but he is not invincible. Our enemy is
certainly ruthless, but he will know America's resolve. The people of
America want an end to this threat; and by joining together, we can and
will do it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), a member of the
Committee on Science, Committee on Financial Services, and the
Committee on Government Reform.
Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
I rise in support of the resolution. Words can never be found to
fully express the sorrow we share for the many, many innocent men,
women, and children who lost their lives and for their families. The
lives of thousands of innocent civilians were taken yesterday in acts
of cowardly violence. I urge all Americans to continue to lift up
prayers for the families and friends of those whose lives were
viciously taken.
These evil acts against the American people will strengthen the
resolve of the United States in our commitment to freedom and liberty,
the principles upon which our Nation was founded. The American people
will not flinch, but will respond with all strength and unity against
these cowards and their supporters. The resolve of the American people
and our military might is united in hunting down everyone involved in
this tragic act of war against the American people. Anyone who was
connected in any way with these terrorists shall receive the full brunt
of our justice. They will rue the day they conceived this act of
violence.
I call upon my colleagues and all Americans to join President Bush as
we stand together in unity against those who senselessly took the lives
of countless American men, women, and children. This terrorist action
amounts to a declaration of war on innocent civilians and will not be
allowed to stand. May God sustain us through our hour of need and give
us wisdom to do what is right.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch), my distinguished colleague.
Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, this is my 10th year in this Chamber; and I
will tell my colleagues that I still have goose bumps when I walk into
this Chamber every day, even after 10 years, because we are part of not
just the greatest Chamber in the history of the world, but the greatest
country in the history of the world.
Over 300 years ago, people left their homeland and some of them
landed on the tip of Manhattan, not far from where the World Trade
Center was destroyed; and those were early pioneers in the creation of
America, the oldest democracy in the history of the world, a country
unique in world history for many reasons. Yesterday was a day that is
part of our history now. We have faced challenges as great as what we
face at this point in our history, and we have met every one of those
challenges. I have no doubt that we will meet this one as well.
Mr. Speaker, there are many analogies about Pearl Harbor. I had the
opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor for the first time this past July. I
read a little bit about the history, both before and after Pearl
Harbor. I think in time, people will read about the history of
yesterday, as well, in the same context. The Japanese might have
thought that they had the strategic advantage and made a policy-correct
decision in that attack, but the history is clear. It was an incredible
strategic failure. Just as the action of yesterday, I think for sure,
history, in time, will show it an absolute colossal strategic failure.
This Congress, I do not know if by our actions will, in fact, declare
war on
[[Page H5539]]
the perpetrators of this action, but I believe we should. There is
precedent to do such action. The Barbary pirates were not a country,
they were terrorists in their day; and this Congress, the same body
that we serve in today, declared war on the Barbary pirates and the
implications of them. I believe that that is what we should do, whether
by direct deeds or by other actions; and it is a war that we are
committed to and that we will win.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Jenkins.)
(Mr. JENKINS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green), a member of the Committee on
Armed Services as well as the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, throughout history, our foes have misunderstood and
underestimated the American people. They have often mistaken our love
of peace for a fear of using force. They have mistaken our adherence to
the rule of law at home for an unwillingness to take decisive action
abroad, and they have mistaken our vibrant democracy for an inability
to stand together. But they are wrong. The foes responsible for
yesterday's outrage will soon feel the depth of their miscalculation.
In times like this, Mr. Speaker, I take great comfort from the halls
of this old capitol herself. We are in crisis, I say to my colleagues,
but as Americans, we have seen crises before: Civil War, world wars,
calamity and catastrophe, but this capitol and this Nation have
persevered and somehow grown stronger.
Many of us, when we walked into these Chambers today, walked through
what is known as Statuary Hall, where there are monuments to some of
the great men and women who have gone before us and built this empire
of liberty. Black and white, rich and poor, people from all walks of
life, there is nothing like it, and nothing like them anywhere in the
world. It is time to stand together to protect their legacy. It is time
to reawaken this Nation and our spirit. It is time to show the world a
force that is stronger and more potent than any weapon on Earth: the
force of a free people, united in a single purpose.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Luther).
(Mr. LUTHER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Yesterday, our Nation was met with an unspeakable tragedy as we were
stripped of the peace and security that we have enjoyed for so long.
This is a time of great national grief; and on behalf of myself, my
staff, and the people of Minnesota who I represent, I join all
Americans in praying for the victims, survivors, families, and loved
ones.
Unfortunately, yesterday's events are a stark reminder of the
dangerous world in which we live and the serious risks to people who
are firmly committed to democracy, freedom and opportunity for all, as
we Americans are. Our law enforcement and military officials will work
to promptly find those responsible, and we will prepare a strong and
appropriate response. But today, today as a Nation, let us recognize
the victims and the survivors, the response teams and all of the other
heroes for their incredible contributions to our Nation and to the
blessings we enjoy as Americans. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing for us to remember from this
tragedy, let it simply be this: as our country has shown over and over
in the past, and as difficult as these times are, we will become
stronger as a Nation because of the contributions and sacrifices each
of you has made.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) who is an Air Force
pilot, former airline pilot, and a Vietnam as well as Persian Gulf vet,
and a member of the Committee on Armed Services and the committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
(Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday America was changed forever. This despicable
terrorist action waged against America, waged against innocent
civilians, citizens, men and women, waged against symbols of strength
and success in America, was clearly an act of war, an act of war waged
against our citizens and military personnel, along with firemen and
policemen; and we will never forget what they have done.
Now, as we try to find the words, the correct words, to put it all
into proper perspective, we must have the resolve to take all of the
necessary action; and we must have the resolve to provide our
warfighters and intelligence agencies the resources they need.
{time} 2000
We must provide them the resolve they will need to remove this blight
from our international society.
As the rescue efforts continue, our hearts and prayers go out to the
families, friends, and coworkers of those missing and lost yesterday
and today. America was founded on freedoms, and we have always fought
for our freedoms. We will never give in to terrorism. We will never
give up until everyone responsible for this cowardly act has paid the
price.
We will prevail. America must prevail. May God bless the United
States of America, and grant us the will and strength to see this
through.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).
(Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the horrific images of
yesterday will forever be etched in our memories: people leaping from
the World Trade Center as the flames advanced; the terror of passengers
aboard those hijacked planes as they attempted to warn us of what was
to come; a gaping hole in the Pentagon, with workers killed at their
desks.
It is difficult to shake these images and these thoughts, and our
first, human response must be to express our profound sympathy to the
victims and their families; to pursue a vigorous rescue operation; to
reach out, to give blood, to do whatever we can to alleviate the
suffering of those directly targeted in yesterday's attack.
I am confident that we will reach out and work together as a united
community. We have proven before that we can and will pull together at
times of danger and disaster, as we in North Carolina know from our
experiences after Hurricanes Fran and Floyd.
There were moving stories of heroism and sacrifice yesterday from
police and firefighters and ordinary citizens. We have a tremendous
capacity to sustain and support one another, and we must demonstrate
that resolve and mutual commitment as never before in the days ahead.
We must also move vigorously and swiftly to gain full and accurate
information about how this disaster occurred and who was responsible.
We must track down and punish the perpetrators and anyone who harbored
them or gave them aid. Our retaliation must be severe and sure, leaving
no doubt of our unwillingness to tolerate this kind of assault, and of
our determination to make certain that nothing like this ever happens
again.
Part of our mission must be to rethink national security policy.
Everything from airport security to intelligence activities must be
examined to ensure that we are able to anticipate and control
terrorism. And, as the House has demonstrated by reconvening today, we
cannot and will not allow ourselves to be deterred from carrying on
this Nation's vital work here and abroad.
Yesterday, terrorists attempted to snuff out the beacon of hope our
country has represented to this conflict-ridden world. On this
occasion, we must resolve to brighten that beam and renew our
commitment to alleviating the world's suffering and injustice, and to
do so in defiance of the forces of evil
[[Page H5540]]
that have made September 11 another day that will ``live in infamy.''
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my good
friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the
chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
(Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, tragic Tuesday, which occurred
yesterday, is one of those days that is going to go down in history as
a ``Where were you?''
I was not alive on December 7, 1941, but for those who were, it was
one of those ``Where were you on December 7, 1941'' days when the
Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
I was alive in November of 1963. In fact, I was in the eighth grade
in Innis Junior High School when President Kennedy was assassinated
less than 50 miles away in Dallas outside the School Book Repository
Building.
I was alive in July, 1969 when the first man, a United States
astronaut, landed on the Moon.
Obviously, I was alive yesterday when the tragic plane attacks hit
the Trade Center and the Pentagon, and then the plane crashed in
Pennsylvania. So that is one of those ``Where were you'' days.
The question before the Congress today, the Presidency, and to some
extent the American people, is what are we going to do about it.
There has been a lot of talk on the floor about the cowardly act.
Well, it is cowardly in the sense that our attackers did not warn us
and they did not declare war on us in the classic sense, they just
hijacked the planes and attacked civilian targets in New York and the
military target here in Washington.
But it was not cowardly in the sense that the people that perpetrated
it were cowards; just the opposite, they were probably very religiously
committed, willing to die for a cause that they believe in. And however
many there were that died yesterday, we have to assume that there are
more who are willing to die in the future.
So if we are really serious about a war against terrorism, we need to
think about that. I am very committed to bringing the perpetrators,
either eliminating them with military action or capturing them and
taking them through whatever the legal system is, if that is
appropriate.
But if we are going to declare war, let us really think that through
and be prepared to do what it takes.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), my distinguished
colleague.
(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was like a massive earthquake,
except that it was not of active nature but of evil men. Like in a
massive earthquake, the first pictures were mainly of huge, horrible,
physical damage. The worst was yet to come, as we are now beginning to
glimpse the full extent of the unspeakable loss of human life and the
pain and suffering of the families who have lost their loved ones.
The days ahead will be filled with unbearable grief. The entire
Nation will be in deep mourning. Because this disaster was man-made, it
also poses a special challenge to our Nation and to our spirit. It
fills us with anger. It also poses a special responsibility. We must
not let this disaster break our spirit or our resolve. We must take
definitive steps against the persons who caused this horrendous tragedy
and against any Nation that shelters agents of terror.
Unlike acts of nature, our goal must be a singular one: that we not
let it ever happen again.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good
friend, the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), a member of the
Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Transportation, and frankly,
the entire delegation of Montana.
Mr. REHBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this sense of Congress
resolution. To me, this is simple: Yesterday's attack against America
was not just a criminal act, it was an act of war.
It is important to understand that these terrorists were specially
trained soldiers and hit men in an army intent on destroying America
and our way of life. They were willing to take their own lives in order
to accomplish their military objectives.
That is why America must not treat yesterday's tragedy as a criminal
case, or simply seek justice. Rather, we must take it for what it is:
an act of war that demands a swift, thorough, and decisive response
from the United States Armed Forces. In short, we must strike back at
those responsible. A military action, not subpoenas and courtrooms, is
the only way to prevent this from happening again. We must bring these
armies of terror and any country found to be aiding or abetting their
actions to their knees. The time for talk is over.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).
(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, and to
condemn the barbaric, cowardly attack on the people and the soil of the
United States. This is an act of war. We will not tolerate these
terrible acts. We as a Nation will pull together and pick up the pieces
and build our strength.
We all need to rally as a country right now, and our strength will
come from our courage and our belief in our faith. America stands
united. We believe in the liberty of our country, the justice of our
democratic institutions. Let freedom ring. The Liberty Bell should
shine with our resolve. In all of our towns where people are gathering
food, materials, and people are giving blood, chapels and churches
should ring the bell for freedom.
We are all filled with condolence for all of the victims. America
will not give up on its dreams and hopes and freedoms.
I ask that we take time in our daily lives to observe a moment of
silence for those who are lost, for those families and friends and
loved ones, and to be thankful for what we have. In times of a national
tragedy, America always comes together. We are showing the world what
it is to be an American.
This was an act of war on our people. We will not be divided. The
President and Congress will be united in dealing with this horrible
act. This is not a time of politics or blame but a time of sorrow,
mourning, and healing. We must hold fast. We will investigate and we
will find the culprits, and we will release the full fury of rage.
But if these terrorists turn out to be foreign, we will not lash out
at others of the same nationality who have no connections to the
attack. Americans are human people who respect the rule of the law.
This is about families that will never again be reunited: the brave
souls that gave their lives in the line of duty; the police, the
firefighters; the men and women and children on the planes; the workers
in the World Trade Center; the place in the mind that will not heal
quickly.
I ask for Members' prayers for those whose lives have been lost. May
God grant us the wisdom to steer our great Nation through this
difficult time. This is a resolution about our families, our freedoms,
our future. God bless America. We are proud of this Nation.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crenshaw), the former
President of the Florida State Senate and a member of the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on the Budget, and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. As I
walked up the steps of the Capitol this morning alone, I was overcome
by an eerie sense of silence, silence that said to me, it is finally
hitting home what happened yesterday, because yesterday I was struck
with disbelief as I watched the horrible pictures on television. Yet,
today my stomach churns with a sudden sickening feeling of sorrow and
sadness for the people who lost loved ones.
Yesterday it was a feeling of horror as I watched those pictures of
mass destruction. Yet today my eyes have been burned with tears as I
watched real men and women talk about real sons and daughters who are
lost in yesterday's tragedy; from disbelief to sadness, now to anger
and revenge, and I
[[Page H5541]]
am sure that all Americans share these feelings with me.
Yet we must now focus our feelings on a new sense of resolve, a
resolve that says that we will no longer tolerate such actions; that
the United States of America, the greatest country on the face of the
Earth, will not be intimidated by terrorists, no matter how horrendous
their acts.
Yesterday, terrorism struck, and it struck as it always does, without
warning, without reason. It struck by those who have no heart and have
no conscience, have no soul, cold-blooded murderers.
Yesterday, the terrorists succeeded. They succeeded in shaking the
foundations of two great symbols of America. But make no mistake,
history will record those terrorists failed miserably in shaking the
very foundations of this great country. I urge adoption of this
resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre).
(Mr. McINTYRE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, the horrifying acts of terrorism which
occurred yesterday were a cowardly act of attacking America.
We in Congress must be dedicated and determined to take immediate
action in three ways:
First, to help the victims and their families, and to make sure that
all Federal resources that are necessary are available;
Second, to ensure that our liberties as American citizens are
protected and that the American public is safe;
Third, to make sure that the perpetrators are discovered and
punished.
Our focus must be on the injured and their families and those who are
offering medical assistance, and others who are helping in so many
different ways.
It has taken, unfortunately, these horrifying acts of terrorism to
draw attention to the resources and needs of our intelligence and
defense agencies, and we must address those needs immediately so that
our Nation's citizens know that their freedoms are not being
compromised.
We need prayer also for the injured and the suffering and their
families, for our law enforcement, our EMS units, and our medical and
health care providers, for our military, which stands ready to go
whenever and wherever it is needed, and wisdom for our government in
the decisions that we yet have to make.
{time} 2015
Now, more than ever, we as a Nation must have the will to find the
way to move forward with those essential qualities of courage and
conviction that constitute the character of America. By God's grace,
and with His strength and wisdom, I am confident that we will.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock), a member of the Committee on
Armed Services and the Committee on the Budget.
Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, never could I have imagined when I left
Vietnam 34 years ago yesterday that the freedoms we fought for in that
conflict would be challenged in such a heinous, hateful, cowardly, and
despicable manner as we witnessed yesterday. I never dreamed that I
would see the result of terrorism with my own eyes, but yesterday that
nightmare became reality.
Mr. Speaker, I stand to not only support this resolution but to offer
my heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families. We may never
know the full effect of this horrific event on the thousands of
families impacted, but the impact will live in our hearts forever.
However, we must go forward with America, her business, her
enterprise, her love of freedom and justice, her destiny to be the
beacon of democracy in our world. Yesterday's events will never be
forgotten, but they will not deter us.
We have heard the word faith used many times today. Mr. Speaker,
behind you are the words ``In God We Trust.'' As the psalmist has
written, ``God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Therefore I will not fear.''
Mr. Speaker, I have full confidence that our President will hold
accountable those who were responsible and ensure they pay the ultimate
price for the evil they have wrought. We in Congress should provide all
the means of support available to help in the search and the rescue
efforts, the recovery efforts, and the rebuilding of the damaged and
destroyed structures, as well as the investigation to find the
criminals responsible.
Mr. Speaker, this can never happen again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sandlin).
Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Today, we stand. Reflecting on the chill of yesterday with the
silence of death and the stench of terrorism in the air, we stand. We
stand united. We stand committed. We stand determined. We stand
confident. We stand, and we shall overcome.
Edmund Burke once said, ``All that is necessary for evil to triumph
is for good men to do nothing.'' Mr. Terrorist, make no mistake about
it, we will act. We will be patient but deliberate. We will be open but
focused. We will not seek senseless revenge, but we will insist on
justice.
And justice will be decisive, swift, compelling, horrible, and
justified. Woe be to those that call evil good. Woe be to the
terrorists who claim some sort of victory today. Woe be to the
murderers who celebrate the killing of innocent people. You will soon
be dancing to a very different tune.
You terrorists will find no hysteria here. You will find no fear. We
are in no ways tired. In fact, we speak with a united voice and stand
behind our President who said that those who took part in this horrible
act and those who harbor these criminals will be held accountable.
Today, as we seek solace from the icy pain of yesterday, do not seek
God in the churches, temples, or mosques of this country; do not seek
justice in the halls of Congress or in our courtrooms. For God is in
the streets and homes of America. Justice is in the wings of the world
theater, preparing to be released in a focused fury.
Harriet Tubman, once complimented on her humanitarian efforts,
responded, ``'Twasn't me. 'Twas the Lord. I always told him, `I trust
to you. I don't know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to
lead me,' and he always did.''
We can expect that same leadership today. Thank God we live in
America. May he bless this country and our efforts.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), a member of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I rise in the strongest possible support of this resolution and to
condemn the cowards who perpetrated these horrendous acts against the
people of the United States; certainly what many people say is the
darkest day in American history.
I believe we must do everything humanly possible to find out who is
responsible for these acts of terror and take the strongest possible
action against them. We need to show the world in a very determined and
dramatic way that we will not stand for this type of senseless
violence.
I will support the President in taking the strongest possible action
against the cruel and cowardly terrorists who are responsible for
yesterday's tragedies, as well as any country which offers safe harbor
to these inhuman thugs.
Most importantly, right now, Mr. Speaker, our sympathy should go out
in the most heartfelt way to the families of those who have fallen
victim to these unspeakable tragic events. The American public and the
world should know that this Congress, working closely with the
administration, will not rest until these mass murderers are brought to
swift decisive justice and punishment.
We must recognize that there are fundamental security problems in our
country that allow such incomprehensible events to take place. We need
to work with the FAA, the Department of
[[Page H5542]]
Transportation, as well as the airlines to secure our airports and our
airplanes against people who would cause such destruction.
I have spent the last 6 years as chairman of the House Subcommittee
on Aviation. We need to immediately place U.S. marshals or other law
enforcement officials on all commercial flights. We also need to focus
more resources on and do more detailed background screens on the men
and women who are the security screeners in the airports across our
country. We need to make it impossible for terrorists to compromise the
cockpits of our airliners by retrofitting all aircraft with an
impenetrable barrier between the cockpits and passenger cabins. Most
importantly, we must restore the confidence of the flying public in the
security and integrity of our commercial aviation infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution. It is the least we
can do, and we all need to join together in supporting those who have
suffered so much in these horrible tragedies.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. John).
(Mr. JOHN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to
offer my condolences to the families from across our great nation who
are coping with the grief of yesterday's tragic events.
Terrorists have broken our hearts, but they have not broken our
resolve. Yesterday, we were a nation in shock. Today, we are a Nation
in mourning. And while we are numb in disbelief, America is not
paralyzed. Our brave rescue workers are still finding survivors and
providing hope for all Americans. Our faith in God is providing
Americans with solace. And, Mr. Speaker, this Congress will support and
give the President all the resources he requires to provide Americans
with justice.
The diabolical sophistication of yesterday's attacks point to a well-
coordinated conspiracy of evil and it took considerable organization in
plan and implementation. We stand here tonight united as a Congress and
as a nation in telling the world that we will not leave one stone
unturned until we find and punish these terrorists and their
supporters.
America is still a nation of heroes. The men and women who gave their
lives yesterday in an attempt to rescue others is a statement to the
courage and bravery of everyday people when faced with enormous
challenges.
Mr. Speaker, as I stand here tonight surrounded by my colleagues in
Congress, I have never been more sure of myself that America is up to
the challenges that lay beyond. America will forever be changed because
of yesterday's attacks, but we will be a stronger, not a weaker Nation
for them. God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire as to
how much time remains.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Smith) has 27 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Lantos) has 5 minutes remaining.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
during consideration of H.J. Res. 61, pursuant to the order of the
House earlier today, debate on the joint resolution be extended 2 hours
equally divided and controlled by the chairman or his designee and the
ranking minority member of the Committee on International Relations.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), chairman of the
Committee on Ways and Means.
(Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, along with everyone else, I support this
resolution. However, mentally, I want everyone to know that I will
assume it is a declaration of war. I believe that from a mental set a
declaration of war is what we need.
First, it will allow us to use any and all means necessary to strike
at any group or government when facts support it and do it in a wartime
mentality. Secondly, believing this resolution is a declaration of war
I think creates a mental framework which we need as a society. We need
to reach out in meaningful ways, in sustaining ways, to aid those who
have suffered personal tragedy. We need to strengthen our economy to
sustain our people, and understand that property damage can be
repaired, that economic strength will be the key not only to carrying
out the fight against those who have perpetrated these deeds, but also
to make sure that we have available all of our resources. This will not
be a short fight. It will be a long and difficult one.
We need all of the resources available to us, moral, religious, and
economic; and I will be looking at short-term, medium-term, and long-
term responses to this. So that from a military point of view, from an
economic point of view, and from a sustaining societal and nurturing
point of view, we will not just use words against our enemies, we will
have real arrows in our quiver.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
(Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to
revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to stand in solidarity with the people of America
and to speak out against the senseless, horrendous tragedies of
September 11, 2001. It is a day that will live in infamy. There are no
words, no pictures, no sentiments that can express the magnitude of the
evil that showed itself yesterday. My heart and my thoughts go out to
the families of those who were murdered, and to all those affected. The
love of the people of this great country embraces the spirit of those
heroes who gave their lives trying to save others. Those glorious
Americans, who worked at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,
members of the Police and Fire Departments and EMS, represent the best
of America. We should all the humbled by their sacrifices.
I would like to pay a special tribute to the American Airlines
family. They are unique contributors to Dallas-Fort Worth. They are
unique contributors to America. They are a part of all of our lives.
They are a part of our souls. We honor the lives they lived as
Americans.
Let it be known, that the United States Congress will stop at
nothing, and at no time, to protect our citizens. Let it be known, that
the United States of America will never, ever, cower to terrorists and
never give up our way of life. Let it be known that Americans may
disagree as Americans, but we are all one American family. Most
importantly, let it be known that we will, we will, we will bring those
responsible for the horrors of terrorism to complete justice. Our flags
are at half-mast, but out heads are high as Americans. America is a
great nation, and our freedom will ring loudly forever. May God Bless
America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Brown).
(Ms. BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, God bless America.
Yesterday, on September 11, for the first time in 175 years, the
capital of the world's greatest military power was attacked by a
cowardly and totally spineless enemy. We, the United States, the leader
of the free world, the country that saved Europe from Nazi Germany, the
country that had the courage to stand up to communism and dictatorships
worldwide, the one Nation in the world looked to for leadership cannot
submissively stand by while our Nation is attacked.
This was a well-organized and thought-out attack and it demands a
well-organized and powerful response. Members of these fanatical groups
cannot go unpunished, nor will this nation support them. Those nations
that give them shelter, weapons, support and training, we will deliver
a swift and immediate response to this horrible act.
Congress and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure must
take steps to implement new safety standards for air travel and, in
fact, all modes of transportation. I have received numerous calls today
from pilots saying that we have to absolutely secure the cockpits on
our airplanes and that we need to put U.S.
[[Page H5543]]
marshals on each and every plane again just as we did in the 1990s.
My heart and prayers go out to the families of the victims, and I
want to commend the volunteers and emergency personnel on their great
efforts. How can you help? I am donating blood tomorrow and asking my
constituents to do the same. For all the people out there that are
watching, if you have any information that could assist this ongoing
investigation, please call the FBI hot line.
In closing, I want to make it clear, whether we are a Democrat, a
Republican, male or female, black or white, we stand behind the
Commander in Chief. War has been declared against the American people,
and you are either with us or against us. There is no in between.
{time} 2030
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the distinguished chairman of
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution.
I, like all of my colleagues, suffer with the inconsolable grief of
all our countrymen who watched the horrific death and destruction
visited on our Nation yesterday. But we also watched with humility and
admiration the amazing acts of courage and sacrifice and heroism of
firemen and rescue workers and police, both here in this city and New
York City; and we pray for all of them tonight.
There are criminal acts and there are acts of war. Criminal acts are
answered in court within the judicial system. Acts of war are answered
militarily. Yesterday was an act of war; and there will be a military
response. You know it. It is coming. Those who have visited that
destruction upon America yesterday had better get themselves ready for
it. But there were other criminal acts yesterday that I want to talk
about tonight, and I want to talk to those criminals.
There is no shortage of gasoline in this country. There is no
shortage of crude oil. Every one of you who jacked the price up
yesterday to $3 and $4 and $5 and took advantage of Americans who
suffer with all us in this crisis are petty criminals, and you ought to
be in the hoosegow and you will be.
The Department of Energy, FTC, Attorney General, the Department of
Justice have all issued warnings today that they are investigating.
Crude oil stocks are up. Gasoline supplies are up. Production is up.
Imports are up. OPEC has guaranteed their reserves to us if we need
them. Every country in OPEC unanimously did. The major oil companies
have frozen their prices, both at the wholesale and retail level.
Any one of you out there price-gouging Americans in this crisis are
not just criminals, you are aiding and abetting the terrorists who hit
us yesterday; and you ought to spend a few days in the pokey.
God bless this country. We will get through this; but we need to
stand together as patriots, not as petty criminals.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).
Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, each and every day I am humbled to serve as
a Member of the United States Congress. I am humbled by the honor of
representing my Wisconsin constituents. I am humbled by the privilege
to serve this great Nation. I love this country. I cherish our
freedoms.
I have great regard for the leadership and courage that has been
demonstrated in these very Chambers throughout our Nation's history
from its birth onward. Time and time again our Nation has risen to the
challenges posed by evil, violence, intolerance, and injustice. These
were challenges of immense proportions, and we did not shrink from
them. Of course, all of us hoped that these sorts of challenges, these
attacks on our very own soil were part of our Nation's history, not our
Nation's present or future.
Most Americans yesterday and today saw television images that will be
indelibly inscribed in their minds and consciences. In New York,
Pennsylvania, and our Nation's capital, other Americans witnessed these
tragedies firsthand. Our Nation and our Nation's families have suffered
unimaginably from the unspeakable evil acts of yesterday. We will not
shrink from facing this challenge either.
I have been so deeply moved by the capacity of the American people to
respond to this crisis. Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel
and want to convey to our Nation's emergency workers, the paramedics,
nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, members of National
Guard and so many others.
Words are also inadequate to express the depth of the sympathy that I
want to share with the victims and their families. I join all my
colleagues in condemning these despicable acts. We must bring the
perpetrators to justice.
The greatness of this country in our own eyes and the eyes of the
world is the promise that we will act against the perpetrators only
when we are certain of their culpability.
I also know that it is the American people, our freedoms and our
democracy that make this Nation great. Our constitutional liberties
shall not be sacrificed in our search for greater security, for that is
what our enemies and all enemies of freedom and democracy hope to
achieve.
I have never been more deeply moved to live in the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt).
(Mr. NETHERCUTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint
Resolution 61.
Mr. Speaker, in the course of human events, there are moments that so
impact the progression of world history, that the character of all
people becomes imbued with the solemn understanding that life will
never be the same. The terrorist events that transpired on September
11, 2001, collectively create a most infamous moment in the history of
the United States of America.
These cowardly acts of destruction were intended to strike fear in
the American spirit with the hope that our Nation will retreat from its
policies and obligations overseas. If these perpetrators chose to study
American history rather than how to manifest hate and destruction, they
would realize the futility of their actions and know that there is one
choice we cannot and will not make. America will never choose the path
of submission.
Our hearts have been pierced by tragedy and weep for those lost souls
and their families of America's worst disaster. Throughout American
history, our lands and others have been turned red by the blood of
those who defended America's character. Now, in modern times, the urban
streets of two great cities share this unfortunate distinction.
America's story is one of providence. Over the last 225 years, God
and truth, combined with American courage and spirit, have allowed us
to triumph in every honorable national struggle placed before us. There
is a resilience in our country that transcends tragedy. Those who
repudiate reason--and twist it to such ghastly ends as these--do not
deserve the gift of life. Their actions cannot be allowed to triumph
over freedom and democracy. We must pray to God that they will not.
A war of terrorism has been declared against America, and more has
been attacked than just our great land. I support President Bush's
initiative to mobilize our national military forces, and forces around
the world which love freedom, in order to push terrorism from the face
of the world. Foreign states that facilitate, harbor, employ, or
conveniently turn a blind eye to those who engage in missions of
terror, should suffer the consequences of their misguided judgement.
America's immigration policy, our governmental law enforcement
resources, and our military capabilities must be bolstered to meet our
national challenge.
The sense of heightened patriotism being exhibited as a result of
this tragedy will assist the efforts being called for from all corners
of our nation to exact justice. It also gives us the chance to pay
tribute to the firefighters, police, rescue crews, medical teams,
survivors and supporters alike who are the true heroes of the day. The
families of those who perished deserve our prayers and deep sympathies.
As in all difficulties in life, our faith as a great nation and a
spiritual people will lead us through the fog of sadness and death,
into the light of freedom and peace. As Americans, we can accept
nothing less.
God bless our great nation.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery).
(Mr. McCRERY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. McCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution
61.
[[Page H5544]]
This resolution expresses clearly the sentiment not only of this
Congress, but the sentiment of the American people. It condemns the
despicable actions of terrorists who planned and carried out the
attacks yesterday against the people of the United States. It extends
the condolences of all our citizens to the victims and their families,
commends the heroic actions of the fireman, police, and other rescue
workers who responded to these tragic events, and underscores the
resolve of all of us in America and many others around the world to
fight and win this war against terrorism.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that so many Members of Congress
are speaking for their constituents in support of this resolution, and
that they are speaking, not as Republican or Democrats, liberals of
conservatives. Easterner or Westerner, but as Americans. It is this
unity of spirit, singularity of purpose, and faith in our destiny as
purveyors of freedom which will see us through this and lead us to
victory.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), a member of the Committee
on the Judiciary and the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, from what I hear on television, we may have
found our first example of how America will rise to the occasion.
Apparently, the passengers on United Flight 93, the Pennsylvania
flight, were talking to their relatives and the picture was becoming
clear to them what their fate was about to be.
The story goes, according to recent reports, that one of the
passengers told his wife that we just voted among ourselves to take on
the hijackers. I think that gives the best example of what awaits the
terrorists.
We will soon vote here, Republicans and Democrats. We will vote to
take on the terrorists who tried to destroy freedom and our way of
life. Our allies today in NATO voted to consider the attack on the
United States as an attack on NATO.
The message that was trying to be sent by the fanatics who
orchestrated this I am not sure of, but the message we are going to
send them will be very clear. Our forefathers defeated tyranny; so
shall we.
Mr. Speaker, the story goes when the staff of Admiral Yamamoto
congratulated him on the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he replied, ``I am
afraid all we have done is awoken a sleeping giant.''
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what happened yesterday. America sleeps
no more.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to those
who have lost loved ones and family members in this evil and barbaric
act. We as a Nation cannot tolerate these kinds of attacks on American
citizens.
Today we must first pledge our unwavering support for those involved
in the search and rescue missions underway in Washington, D.C. and New
York City. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses,
rescue workers have committed thousands of selfless acts to help those
injured.
Secondly, we must persevere in the fight against the enemies of
freedom and democracy, as we have in the past. It took the United
States over 4 years to win the Second World War, and more than 40 years
to win the Cold War. All Americans must now display the same patience
and strong resolve in the war against terrorism. We have a moral
obligation to seek out these craven individuals, wherever they may
hide, to destroy them and their organizations so they may no longer
kill, maim or injure innocent people in the future.
America and its people are good and just. Our democracy is strong,
and the good we do will prevail in the end. We live in a free and
civilized society. Our resolve tonight and tomorrow and forever must be
to permanently establish these values across the globe.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher), a member of the Committee on
the Budget, the Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address this honorable body.
Words fail to fully express our grief and fall short of describing our
resolve as we respond to this act of barbary and violence against the
free and innocent.
Throughout our Nation's history, we along with the world watch and
witness that during the darkest hours, America unites with exemplary
character, strength and bravery. We witness a diverse Nation pulling
together with tireless compassion towards those fallen, wounded and
grieving.
We also feel the swelling strength of a government, united to ensure
that evil is answered with the goodness of justice so that freedom's
peace and security prevail.
Our prayers and resources are with all those grieving, and our
gratitude and full support is with all of the men and women engaged in
this unrelenting endeavor against the evil terror of those who harbor
hate and violence.
We reaffirm our unwavering support of President Bush and his able
staff. We also extend our gratitude to NATO and other free and friendly
nations who join us in our resolve to destroy not only the branches but
the very roots of these intolerable acts of terror.
Across from the battered walls of the Pentagon lay the graves of
those who have given their all for freedom. By our resolve, we honor
them, as well as all the fallen we now grieve, that none of these shall
have died in vain; and that from their loss, we will once again have
successfully defended freedom and justice, not only for our Nation but
for the world.
Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed an act of war, and we must now respond
accordingly.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Solis), my good friend and colleague.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to express my sorrow, my
horror, my anger about yesterday's attacks on the United States
democracy. I offer my most sincere condolences to the victims and their
families. I offer my support to the President, and to the many Federal,
State and local agencies that are taking part in the ongoing
investigation and rescue efforts.
Today I stand with the entire United States Congress, and perhaps
most importantly, stand alongside every other American citizen in a
united and indivisible defense of our freedom. We know that our
democracy will not falter during this test. Our democratic foundations,
our government, and our people are too strong.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the outpouring of sympathy and
assistance the American people have generously provided during this
crisis. My thoughts, my prayers and encouragement, are with the missing
fire fighters in New York and the many rescue teams, the military and
medical personnel here and in New York.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the American public to continue donating blood and
continue to fly our American flags. Continue to stand as one Nation,
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Bryant), a former U.S. Attorney and a
member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mr. BRYANT. Mr. Speaker, it has been a long and difficult 36 hours
since the first airplane crashed into the tower of the World Trade
Center yesterday.
I rise in support of this motion, as has practically every Member of
this House today, to show the resolve of this body that we will finish
what the terrorists began yesterday.
Make no mistake about it, the surprise attack that we had yesterday
was the product of cowards, outlaws within a civilized world. Hijacking
airplanes containing innocent men, women and children and crashing them
into an office building at a time when large numbers of workers were
present were the pathetic acts of insane minds, illegitimate by any
standard.
Those responsible for this attack, especially those aiders and
abettors, will feel the full power of the United States and her
citizens. I join with the President, Congress, world leaders, and the
American people in blanket condemnation of all involved in this
ruthless conspiracy.
And as more facts develop and become known, we must also recognize
those in the airplanes, some known, such as Tom Burnett and others,
some forever unknown, who tried to prevent yesterday's heinous crimes
and mitigated those crimes and became heroes in doing such, as well as
recognizing
[[Page H5545]]
the hundreds and hundreds of heroes now working to save lives both in
New York and here at the Pentagon.
{time} 2045
The United States will not stand for terrorism on its soil and we
will join together to fight it. Terrorism's goal is to disrupt life and
make people fearful. But fanatic acts of these extremists will fail as
we continue on with our lives with even more resolve. Our great Nation
will come together around this tragedy because our freedom, as said
earlier by one of our leaders, our freedom is our strength, not our
weakness.
Let me just echo what the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Graham)
said a few speakers ago about Pearl Harbor. When it was attacked,
President Roosevelt said it was a day that would live in infamy. That
generation of Americans, which can be argued was our greatest, rose to
the occasion and a sleeping giant was awakened. Now we have yet another
day that will forever be burned into the minds and hearts of Americans,
and again a sleeping giant has been awakened.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), my good friend and distinguished
colleague.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the
time.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the State of Vermont, I rise
and in the strongest possible terms condemn the unspeakable acts which
were perpetrated yesterday by cowardly terrorists. I also wish to
express my condolences for the thousands of families who are suffering
tonight from their losses on the four planes that went down, the losses
at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon.
Mr. Speaker, the goal of terrorism is to demoralize people and to
create fear, uncertainty, and instability. Our Nation must not succumb
to that and give terrorists that victory.
Tonight we grieve for the incredible and horrendous loss of life that
we suffered yesterday. It is unprecedented in the modern history of our
country. But tonight we also pledge to capture and punish all of those
who are responsible for this despicable deed.
There is no difference of opinion on that issue in this Congress or
in this country. Mr. Speaker, the world must know and will know that
those who committed these unspeakable crimes will not get away with it.
As we go forward in this effort, we must also be calm and focused and
be thinking long term on how to defeat this terrible evil. We must also
be thinking about how we can work better and more effectively with law-
abiding people throughout this world, because terrorism is an
international crisis, and it will be solved by decent people from one
end of this world to the other working together.
Let me conclude by saying that we should also be extraordinarily
proud and reassured by how people throughout our country and in my own
State of Vermont are coming together, how they are giving blood, how
they are raising funds and how they are doing everything that they can
to support the victims and their families. Let us go together and we
will defeat international terrorism.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), my good friend.
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, as the smoke clears from the skies over New
York City, Arlington, Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, we in
Congress should not forget that we are a free society. Sweet freedom.
We cannot abandon our ideals or wrap ourselves in a cocoon or isolate
ourself from a world because of this senseless destruction.
The resolution this evening condemns in the strongest possible terms
the terrorists who tried to disrupt our country and to kill our
innocent citizens.
Our government cannot permit its citizens to be attacked with
impunity. We as elected officials have a responsibility to protect them
just as we have protected them throughout the history of this grand
Republic.
All of us have watched in horror the amount of destruction that has
occurred. We commend the heroic action of the rescue workers,
volunteers, State and local officials who responded to these tragic
events with courage, determination, and skill. Our prayers are made for
those whose families who suffered and lost their loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, we need to send a message to those engaged in terror
that we will fight and not fold. We need to stand up to them. Our
struggle will not be won in a day or a month or culminate with a single
victory. Victory will require us to display courage, faith, unity and
determination to carry on for an indefinite time in the face of this
new gray war with faceless terrorists who are on a holy war to destroy
the United States.
Towards that end, Mr. Speaker, I fully support House Joint Resolution
61 and look forward to supporting the President and other agencies of
government as they seek to find the guilty parties.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
(Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time. I rise in strong support of this resolution.
September 11th was a difficult day for America. It was the day that
we lost our innocence. The terrorist attacks touched every American--
young and old, Democrat and Republican, urban and rural, and persons of
every ethnic background. Beyond the death and destruction, we also are
touched with despair.
Our children and grandchildren are asking, ``Are we at war?'' and
``Will we be bombed, too?'' From the ashes of our damaged symbols of
military and economic strength, we must remember that we are a strong
and great nation. With courage and determination, we will confront very
difficult choices. For example, against whom do we strike back? How do
we protect ourselves from unidentified terrorists? How many of our
individual liberties do we relinquish in order to ensure our personal
safety?
The attacks struck a blow not only to our citizens and buildings, but
also against our values, our freedoms, our way of life. To many people
around the world, the United States represents the land of opportunity
and freedom. The terrorists sought to instill in us fear and
insecurity. To this, we must not submit. We refuse to be victims of
fear.
We must take the necessary precautions to safeguard our lives and
American interests, but we must not relinquish our cherished freedoms.
We must identify and bring to justice those persons and organizations
responsible for these tragic deeds, but we must act responsibly,
consistent with our values, in conjunction with our friends and allies,
and in accordance with international laws.
Let us draw closer together, as Americans, behind our President, and
boldly face the challenges ahead. Let us honor those whose lives were
tragically taken by these terrorist attacks, and those who lost their
lives in rescue efforts to save lives. Let us also honor those many
volunteers who have stepped forward in the midst of this crisis to
offer their time and talents in rescue efforts, crisis counseling,
blood drives and other activities.
Because of our people, our values and beliefs, we are a strong and
resilient nation. We will recover and rebuild our broken lives, our
buildings and our way of life. Let us pray that God's grace and wisdom
will guide us through the difficult days ahead.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).
Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California for yielding me this time, an individual for whom I have the
highest admiration and respect, and certainly, Mr. Speaker, with
respect for those who are painfully and tragically affected by the
terrorist assault on America the Beautiful.
Let me simply say amen to the eloquent prose and profound statements
of all of the colleagues that have preceded me in supporting this
resolution. President Abraham Lincoln reminds us that the world will
little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget
what happened here.
The date, September 11, or 9-1-1, a day that the 911 system was
perhaps used more in the aggregate than at any time since its
inception; September 11, or 9-1-1, summons the brave, the selfless, the
life preservers, if they could they would. I have heard it said that
perhaps airport security will include eliminating curbside baggage
service. We are checking around now to see how we best enhance airport
security. Does the idea of no baggage curbside check-
[[Page H5546]]
in really enhance our well-being? What happens to the well-being of the
skycaps in an idea like that? They have long been a service and fixture
at airports, as long as the airports have been there themselves.
Mr. Speaker, from time to time down through our history, our Nation
has been tested. Certainly today our peaceful way of life is being
tested again in a most cowardly fashion. So in the face of this great
tragedy, it is time that we renew our prayers for peace around the
world, rededicate ourselves to the work of citizenship, and sustain the
quality and integrity of those who seek to serve us in the capacity of
public service.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), a member of the
Committee on Agriculture as well as the Committee on International
Relations.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, we have talked and dedicated
ourselves to making sure that we identify and capture the perpetrators,
that these atrocities cannot be tolerated in a free society, and that
for the sake of not only America but for the rest of the world, we need
to be very aggressive and dedicated in the effort that we are about to
undertake.
Also, as chairman of the committee that oversees the Federal Fire
Administration, I would like to take a moment to speak about the
Nation's first responders, the firefighters, the emergency medical
personnel, the police who were first to arrive at the scene and
certainly the last to leave such a scene in situations as happened at
the Pentagon and in New York and also south of Pittsburgh.
As the Nation mourns the deaths of hundreds and probably many
thousands of our fellow citizens, as we take stock of the destruction
caused by yesterday's terrorist attacks, we should also pause for a
moment to reflect on the brave men and women who put their lives on the
line every day in every small town and suburb and every big city across
the country. We have all been deeply moved by the tragic scenes at the
Pentagon, Pennsylvania, and especially New York. But we can be proud
that in a time of great peril, the Nation's first responders answered
the call, conducting themselves with bravery, with dedication that does
credit to themselves, their city, and their country.
It has been reported that over 202 New York firefighters and 57
police officers may have perished at the World Trade Center, a tragic
loss. Witnesses said that as they were running down the stairs to
escape the burning building, they passed New York firefighters running
up those stairs to put out fires and to assist other people stuck on
higher floors. Just imagine that for a moment. With fire and smoke all
around, with a 110-story building buckling from intense heat, these
firefighters ignored their own safety to help people they did not know
but who were in great need of help, their help. Under such horrible
conditions, who could have blamed them for abandoning the burning
building? But instead of turning their backs on people in need, they
faced the danger head-on because that is their job. We may never know
how many lives they saved, but we do know that many people would not be
alive today but for the bravery and sacrifice of these dedicated men
and women. Their deaths cannot be in vain. We have an obligation to
ensure that they get the support they need, God forbid, should they be
called on again to deal with a terrorist attack.
They represent the very best of America, and our Nation owes them and
their families a debt of profound gratitude. We in this House and
across America mourn for these heroes and we pray for their families.
We cannot bring them back but we can promise their loved-ones this:
The terrorists who were responsible for these depraved acts will pay
for them. They can run, but then cannot hide. And they will pay.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my
neighbor, good friend, and distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman
from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink).
Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight overwhelmed by indescribable grief and
sorrow. A taking of any innocent life is an atrocity. A taking of
hundreds is a massacre of monumental proportions. Yesterday, a massacre
of unthinkable numbers occurred. The World Trade Center and the
Pentagon were deliberate targets of fanatics. These terrorists hijacked
four commercial airliners. They slammed three of these planes into
these buildings, knowing the mayhem and chaos that this destruction
would cause.
As a Nation, we are left emotionally speechless at the loss of so
many innocent lives. We are numbed by the number of firefighters,
police, and other volunteers who plunged into the burning buildings to
save lives and who lost their lives in the process. We are stunned by
the courage of those who called from the airplanes. A call from that
ill-fated plane that crashed in the fields near Pittsburgh may have
been the fourth suicide plane headed to the Capitol.
{time} 2100
We may not have been in New York City or anywhere near the Pentagon,
but all who witnessed these attacks on television knew then we were
living in a terrible new world.
Our resolve today is to root out the perpetrators of this heinous
plot to destroy us. We must explore all avenues to make sure that this
can never happen again. We must not surrender until the country is made
safe again for our children and for their families.
Every place in America has lost loved ones in this national tragedy.
No community is immune to this loss. I am advised that four Hawaii
residents may be among the casualty lists. One is listed missing in the
rubble of the World Trade Center, the other three in airplanes in which
they were passengers on the way to the West Coast. I cannot reveal
their names, as I am advised that not all the families have yet been
notified. My heart goes out to all the lost loved ones throughout the
country in this national nightmare.
The human toll will undoubtedly mount over the next few days, and our
lives will be forever changed. Today we mourn those lives that were
lost in this diabolical act of vengeance against our way of life. So
long as we continue to stand for freedom and democracy, these enemies
will not succeed.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), the chairman
of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property
of the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, ruthless, cowardly, insensitive, uncaring, evil, wicked,
fanatical; words cannot describe the events of yesterday. I spoke to
the Judicial Conference at the Supreme Court yesterday morning. Just
prior to my speech, the Chief Justice handed me a note indicating that
the Pentagon had been attacked and was then afire. I knew then that
life in the United States had been drastically altered.
Sandy Bradshaw, a 38-year-old flight attendant who resided in North
Carolina's Sixth Congressional District, walked on the United Flight 93
yesterday to work her shift. Thousands of other Americans reported to
their respective jobs yesterday as well. Neither Sandy, Mr. Speaker,
nor many of these other thousands will ever report for work again.
Their lives were snuffed out yesterday. These losses will not have been
in vain, however. These ruthless criminals will be identified and duly
punished.
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all who suffered losses
yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, these thugs who yesterday inflicted this pain upon us,
concluding that we would not respond to these acts, they counted on our
not responding, I say to them tonight, do not count on it.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my
good friend, the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank our able leaders, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith),
and rise in strong support of this bipartisan resolution condemning
yesterday's reprehensible acts of terrorism
[[Page H5547]]
perpetrated against the people of the United States and freedom-loving
people everywhere.
Americans stand united in our firm resolve to seek out those
responsible for this carnage and to bring them to justice before the
entire international community. Our citizenry's valor, their order, and
their dignity in face of this overwhelming tragedy shines to the whole
world. Across America, our people are helping one another, honoring the
dead, healing the injured, donating blood, picking up the wreckage and
building for a new day.
Across our world, words of encouragement pour into our Capitol.
Tonight I wish to read some of these words into the record.
From Russia:
Dear Congresswoman: All of us in Russia, just the same as
throughout the world, express our deepest condolences over
the terrible losses suffered in the United States. We believe
that this tragedy affects us all. We share the pain of the
lost lives and know that we must unite our efforts to do
everything in our power for this to never happen again. We
should forget about all our differences, and focus together
on the critical issues that need to be resolved in the world
today. Our prayers are with you.--Andrei and all your other
brothers and sisters in Russia.
From Ukraine's Roman Catholic Vicar General, Bishop Stanislaw
Szyrokoradiuk:
Dear Congresswoman Kaptur: I would like to present to You
and through You--to all American people--our condolences
because of the terrible tragedy that has stricken the whole
world.
We have been very shaken to know about a series of acts of
terrorism that happened in the United States of America
yesterday.
It has been an awful blow by its cruelty and scale that
struck not only USA but all humanity. I received this notice
during spiritual retreats in our Higher Spiritual Seminary in
Vorzel, where all priests of our Diocese came. As a sign of
our unity and sympathy in your grief we celebrated Holy Mass
for the souls of the departed and prayed for all victims. May
the Lord strengthen them by His grace that they may outlive
this horrible disaster.
In all our churches there are Divine Services and prayers
said for the souls of the departed victims and for all those
who have suffered.
These days our hearts and our prayers are with your people.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk,
The Roman Catholic Vicar
General of Ukraine.
From Western Europe:
I cannot find the words to describe our feelings about what
happened in NY and Washington! Our thoughts are with you and
all American people.
While obviously it's difficult to go forward together, it's
the only way!
Hope that nobody of your relatives/friends will be amongst
the victims.
Warm regards,
Roos & Gerard.
From Canada:
America: The Good Neighbor
This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the
Americans as the most generous and possibly the least
appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a
lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the
debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of
dollars and forgave other billions in debts.
None of these countries is today paying even the interest
on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was
in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who
propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and
swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United
States that hurries to help. This spring, 59 American
communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The
Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of
dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those
countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering
Americans.
I'd like to see just one of those countries that is
gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build
its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a
plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star,
or the Douglas DC10?
If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the
International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why
does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or
woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and
you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you
get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you
find men on the moon--not once, but several times--and safely
home again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right
in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their
draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on
our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking
Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at
home to spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India were
breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt
them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central
went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still
broke.
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the
help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one
time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I
don't think there was outside help even during the San
Francisco earthquake.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who
is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will
come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they
do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that
are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is
not one of those.
Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!!
From an elderly and disabled constituent from our district:
She can't give blood or send money, but has been trying to
think what she could do to help in this situation. It came to
her that everybody should fly their flag. It's a visible sign
of our support of our nation and the perseverance of the
citizens. Also all the tv and radio stations could be asked
to play the national anthem once all at the same time. She's
asking Marcy to ``get the word out'' so people could be asked
to do this. May we?
From Arab-American Muslims in my community, the strong resolution of
condemnation that no political cause could ever be assisted by such
immoral acts:
We Deplore the Attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
We strongly condemn this morning's plane attacks on the
World Trade Center and the Pentagon and express deep sorrow
for Americans that were injured and killed. We sends out our
condolence to all victims of this cowardly terrorist attack.
There is no cause that justifies this type of an immoral and
inhumane act that has affected so many innocent American
lives. We support all efforts of the investigation in order
to track down the people responsible for this tragic act of
terrorism.
``Arab And American Muslims utterly condemn what are
apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against
innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for
the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No
Political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral
acts.''
Hussein H. Shousher.
From a Technical Sergeant at our Toledo Air National Guard, who
suggests new safety technologies on airplanes using Internet video
surveillance:
In light of today's unfortunate events, I have formulated a
logical solution to help prevent future catastrophes
involving hijackings. An internet video surveillance system.
The equipment to record movement and post to the internet is
already available from http://www.x10.com/, and x10.com has
been delivering affordable internet tools since 1997.
I'm sure with a few simple adjustments, and an FCC pipe to
the internet a plane could be equipped with the same
surveillance system as a house. The system could continually
post updates to the internet where the video could be
monitored for the safety of the passengers and people on the
ground. This would be a deterrent for future attacks. It
would give passengers some peace of mind. And it would give
us the opportunity to strike back and bring a commercial
plane down before it was close enough to crash into a
building that thousands of people were working in.
I would be happy to help out with the development and
installation of such a life-saving device.
Thank you.
Joseph A. Poirier,
Toledo Air National Guard.
From a constituent who e-mailed us:
Dear Marcy. Some thoughts about what may be some of the
gifts of this tragedy. I am grateful for the heart you have
always brought to your leadership.
Please lead for us in a new way. Find the power in
collaboration. Power to create amazing solutions by bringing
your differences together and relinquishing outcomes based on
self-interest. Listen to each other and learn what the
listening will teach. Let debate and fear-based grasping for
power cease. Discover how to be powerful in coming together
in dialogue and collaboration. Your singing on the steps of a
sacred place of American government has far more substance
and potential in it than patriotism stoked by attack. Lead us
in learning what this tragedy can teach. Is it possible to
defend us and secure the world community without adding to
the fire of terror and violence? Just asking ourselves the
question and hearing what comes forth might yield vital new
methods to add to the old. This is a time when we can see who
we are. Help us reflect the best of ourselves back to each
other. The American people are responding to each other with
such generosity and full hearts. A new world order may be
able to emerge as we look at what generates order in the
middle of chaos. We are watching it as we look at our
television sets today.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Harshman.
[[Page H5548]]
The outpouring of good will over evil is evident in every act, every
letter, every call, every encounter. America will surmount this new
test of her will and her freedom.
God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), who has waited for hours to
get to the floor to speak, a Member of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. Yesterday's
treacherous acts of demented minds led to families shattered, dreams
crushed, lives lost, unwritten futures tragically ended. Immediately
though came America's reaction. Rescuers charged into doomed buildings,
police braved falling debris to aid the wounded. Evil attacked
yesterday; America withstood the assault.
Those shocking images of smoke and dust came down to this: a father
gone; a wife, a sister, gone. As sure as the famous towers in which
they worked, gone, too, the passengers and airline crews en route to
California and elsewhere. Nationwide, people rushed to blood banks,
eager to have their own blood flow into the veins of those wounded by
an unknown enemy.
Let that enemy note that this nation of many people is often at odds,
but under pressure is united. A blow against one is a blow against all.
Let the enemy know, America will respond.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my
good friend and valued colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Andrews).
(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, generations of American school children
will read and study about September 11, 2001. In their history, they
will see that Americans across our land are manifesting the spirit of
their chosen God in millions of acts of compassion and mercy. In their
history, they will hear of the heroic efforts of firefighters, EMTs and
EMS personnel, police officers and medical personnel. They will read
this history, but, in the next few days, we will write that history.
Let that history show that we came together, we found the
organizations that were responsible for the acts of terror against our
people and our country yesterday, and we found any nations who
participated or permitted that terror, and we acted swiftly and
destroyed those organizations and destroyed the war-making capability
of those nations.
Let that history show that this was the day when America said it was
no longer any good in the world to play both sides of the fence when it
comes to terrorism; that it was the day we said to the so-called
moderate states around the world that they cannot have it both ways
when it comes to terrorism. They cannot condemn terrorism with their
words, but support terrorism with their prosperity, their currency and
their diplomacy.
Let us join together and write a history that says to those countries
who are ambiguous about their support for us, that there will be no
more aid, there will be no more trade, and there will be no more arms
from the American people.
Mr. Speaker, let us unify tonight, so that when our descendants read
this history, they read this history in an America that is more strong,
more free, and more safe than the one we are privileged and blessed to
live in tonight.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), a member of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution to condemn these
terrorists. Our hearts are broken for the loss of life. We must condemn
this act. We have to treat our wounded. We pray for the mortal souls of
the victims, for peace and grace of the family members, and we will
mourn, and we will bury our dead.
Then what?
These attacks have likely cost more American lives than we lost at
Pearl Harbor, and in a far more cowardly manner.
War has been declared on America.
Now what?
Do we capitulate and wait for the next terrorist attack? Do we wait
for another attack on our freedom and American lives? Do we really
think we can deter these barbaric acts or really prevent them? Is
preventing 9 out of 10 terrorist attacks going to be enough, or do we
fight back and make the price they pay for evil so high they will never
again wish to attack America?
They have recognized that we have a justified reluctance in waging
war while still having difficulty identifying specific nations or even
groups of targets, or, for that matter, even determining who to name in
a declaration of war.
Mr. Speaker, I urge approval of a declaration of war, granting our
commander in chief his constitutional ability to prosecute a total war,
not unlike maybe the 7th Congress had to deal with with President
Thomas Jefferson in his fight against the terrorism of the Barbary
pirates.
Mr. Speaker, we have been attacked. We are at war, and we just lost a
battle. Let us move this debate to the level necessary to defend our
country. I urge every Member to vote for this resolution and rapidly
move to the real debate to protect America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner).
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday this nation, our citizens and really the
entire civilized world witnessed what is arguably the most barbaric
action against humankind on this Earth since the dawn of civilization,
save maybe the Holocaust.
Mr. Speaker, I think if anyone who has been listening for the last 6
hours or so has any doubt that this Congress, speaking on behalf of our
constituents, has the total and complete resolve of them, our
constituents, and this Nation, to take whatever action is necessary to
revenge and to stamp out terrorism where it exists anywhere in the
world, they must be reassured by what they have heard.
I want to join in expressing my profound sorrow for those who lost
their lives, their families, and all of the innocent people who were
used as instruments of evil yesterday. I would just simply say that the
resolve of this Congress and what the President said last night should
send a clear and unmistakable signal all around the world that, yes,
this country was changed yesterday, and, yes, the world was changed.
{time} 2115
And the way it was changed, as one of the speakers before said, is
that no longer will countries who harbor these terrorist organizations
be able to say, we did not have anything to do with it; it was them.
That will not work anymore. From now on, as far as this Member of
Congress is concerned, governments are either willing to be with us in
this fight, in this war against terrorism, wherever it exists in the
world, or they are co-conspirators in it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), a distinguished member of the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, as we think of the most important things tonight, we
think of prayer and we think of the people of this Nation. Prayer is
sometimes spoken of as a thing of last resort, but is actually our
primary source of strength and power before, during, and after a crisis
like this one. Above all, let us pray at this time for the endurance of
survivors and rescue workers in New York and at the Pentagon so that
those who are trapped can be rescued and returned to their loved ones.
Let us pray for the President and all of those who offer him council
and advice.
Mr. Speaker, we are proud beyond words of the spirit of this Nation.
The Red Cross is overwhelmed with volunteers wanting to give blood. We
are proud of the orderly way in which this Nation handled a day of
attack and uncertainty.
We all take comfort that there are still those who will give up their
time and effort to those in need; and we saw that demonstrated
yesterday, and we continue to see that even now.
[[Page H5549]]
Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor and to
visit the place where the U.S.S. Arizona was attacked on December 7,
1941. Along with the other Members of Congress who were there with me
that day, we never thought that within 4 months, America would see even
more loss of human life than that terrible day in 1941. My generation
has actually seen very little of war. However, after yesterday, my
generation knows what it is for these United States to be under direct
attack.
The legislation before us tonight clearly expresses how this House
feels about these attacks. Furthermore, we must use our resources to
make sure that as much as humanly possible, that what happened on
September 11, 2001, does not happen again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), my dear friend and
distinguished colleague.
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California, and I salute him for his leadership on this issue, as I do
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I rise in strong support
of this resolution and I thank our congressional leaders for bringing
it to the floor today.
The images that we have witnessed on television over the past 2 days
defy comprehension. As we struggle to come to grips with the
devastation we have seen, we must come together in support of those who
have experienced this national tragedy on a personal level.
Those who have lost their loved ones have my and all of our deepest
sympathies. American life as we know it was tragically changed
yesterday; and yet we will not find the cowardly perpetrators of this
violence if we do not take the necessary steps to make sure of it.
America is not a Nation that flinches when struck, that backs down
when threatened, that blinks in the face of evil. As my uncle,
President Kennedy, once said, ``We stand for freedom. That is our
conviction for ourselves and that is our only commitment to others. No
friend, no neutral, no adversary should think otherwise.''
Our Nation will take every and all appropriate steps against those
responsible for taking the lives of innocent Americans, and we will
show America's enemies that they may damage our buildings and attack
our citizens, but they cannot undermine our spirit. Our armed forces
and our intelligence community will hunt down and root out this
terrorism. The whole Federal Government is behind this, and we are
united in our efforts. We will find these perpetrators, regardless of
where they are and wherever they attempt to hide. America will not rest
until we bring them to justice.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), a member of the Committee on the
Budget and the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, in times of such a tragedy, it is very difficult to put
our thoughts into words. While our minds are busy trying to comprehend
just what happened in the tragic events of yesterday, our hearts are
burdened with grief. We have seen the pictures of what happened, and we
are beginning to hear the heart-wrenching stories of innocent lives cut
short. As President Bush said so well last night, ``Our Nation saw
evil.''
But in the wake of this tragedy, we have also seen something else:
the goodness of the American people and the strength of the American
spirit. I think of the elderly man my wife saw yesterday afternoon
placing small American flags carefully along the highway in front of
the gas station where he worked. I think of a story I heard last night
from a friend who said that she waited 4\1/2\ hours in line at a blood
bank to be able to give blood. I think of the office worker I saw on
television sometime yesterday on some TV show, one of the World Trade
Center office workers, who got out of the building just before it
collapsed. She said, as she was coming down the stairs, there were
firefighters going up, firefighters who lost their lives, even as they
fought to save the lives of others.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, our Nation did see evil yesterday; but we also saw
something else. In the proud display of our flag throughout this land,
we saw patriotism. In the outpouring of support we saw at local blood
banks, we saw compassion; and in the heroic actions of those very
firefighters and rescue workers, we saw courage and sacrifice. In these
noble actions around this country, some big and some small, we saw our
Nation's character.
Now we call on this character, both to help continue finding our
fellow Americans and to track down the perpetrators of these
unspeakable crimes. We must find those responsible; and when we do,
they must suffer the consequences of their actions. We must always
remember that though America may be attacked by terrorists, America
will not be defeated. This attack may shock us, but it also unites and
strengthens us.
Today, our Nation stands tall, as it will continue to stand in the
days and years to come, graced by God and as a beacon for freedom and
justice for the entire world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Before yielding to the gentleman from Illinois, I want to share with
all of my colleagues a statement issued by our allies of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
``On September 12, the North Atlantic Council met in response to the
appalling attacks perpetrated yesterday against the United States.
``The Council agreed that if it is determined that this attack was
directed from abroad against the United States, it shall be regarded as
an action covered by Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states
that an armed attack against one or more of the allies in Europe or
North America shall be considered an attack against them all.
``The commitment to collective self-defense embodied in the
Washington Treaty was first entered into in circumstances very
different from those that exist now, but it remains no less valid and
no less essential today, in a world subject to the scourge of
international terrorism. When the Heads of State and government of NATO
met in Washington in 1999, they paid tribute to the success of the
Alliance in ensuring the freedom of its members during the Cold War and
in making possible a Europe that was whole and free. But they also
recognized the existence of a wide variety of risks to security, some
of them quite unlike those that had called NATO into existence. More
specifically, they condemned terrorism as a serious threat to peace and
stability and reaffirmed their determination to combat it in accordance
with their commitments to one another, their international commitments,
and national legislation.
``Article 5 of the Washington Treaty stipulates that in the event of
attacks falling within its purview, each Ally will assist the Party
that has been attacked by taking such action as it deems necessary.
Accordingly, the United States' NATO allies stand ready to provide the
assistance that may be required as a consequence of these acts of
barbarism.''
Many of our colleagues stood up and said we stand tall. We do. But we
also do not stand alone. Our NATO allies are with us.
Statement by the North Atlantic Council
On September 12th, the North Atlantic Council met again in
response to the appalling attacks perpetrated yesterday
against the United States.
The Council agreed that if it is determined that this
attack was directed from abroad against the United States, it
shall be regarded as an action covered by Article 5 of the
Washington Treaty, which states that an armed attack against
one or more of the Allies in Europe or North America shall be
considered an attack against them all.
The commitment to collective self-defence embodied in the
Washington Treaty was first entered into in circumstances
very different from those that exist now, but it remains no
less valid and no less essential today, in a world subject to
the scourge of international terrorism. When the Heads of
State and Government of NATO met in Washington in 1999, they
paid tribute to the success of the Alliance in ensuring the
freedom of its members during the Cold War and in making
possible a Europe that was whole and free. But they also
recognised the existence of a wide variety of risks to
security, some of them quite unlike those that had called
NATO into existence. More specifically, they condemned
terrorism as a serious threat to peace and stability and
reaffirmed their determination to combat it in accordance
with their commitments to one another, their international
commitments and national legislation.
[[Page H5550]]
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty stipulates that in the
event of attacks falling within its purview, each Ally will
assist the Party that has been attacked by taking such action
as it deems necessary. Accordingly, the United States' NATO
Allies stand ready to provide the assistance that may be
required as a consequence of these acts of barbarism.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Phelps), my friend and colleague.
(Mr. PHELPS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time. I have great respect for the gentleman and his leadership on this
question.
I rise in support of this resolution against these terrorist acts. No
words can ably express my feelings about yesterday's cowardly, barbaric
assault against our country, our innocent citizens, and our open,
democratic way of life.
I experienced every emotion possible: anger, disgust, sorrow, fear,
and even helplessness. But now, I am determined and anxious and stand
ready to act. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and family
members of those whose lives were lost in these horrible terrorist
acts.
I, like all citizens, am outraged and sickened by this unprovoked
attack and will stand with the President to find those responsible and
to bring swift punishment for these reprehensible acts of violence.
Mr. Speaker, we must not let these attacks on our country weaken our
resolve to maintain a free and open society that all countries can
emulate. We must now show the world that our country will continue to
stand strong in the face of tragedy. We must show the cowards
responsible that they will not win. If we place our faith in God, pray
for wisdom, and pray that God be our pilot, we will succeed and be
victorious.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), who is a
member of the Committee on Transportation, as well as the Committee on
Financial Services.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution
61. Today, my heart is heavy, filled with sorrow and outrage. Today,
there are children who will be unable to hug their parents again, and
there are parents who will never hear the voice of their children
exclaim, Hi, Mom; Hi, Dad. So today, I join with my fellow West
Virginians and my colleagues to offer our tears, our support, and our
prayers.
The events of yesterday bring our perspective into sharp focus,
reshaping and strengthening our notions of freedom, democracy, and
peace. An attack that claimed the lives of our loved ones and attempts
to destroy our national resolve hurts America.
{time} 2130
But make no mistake, we will rise to fight this horrible offense. The
heart and the soul of the American people cannot be destroyed by
cowardly, faceless acts. Never, never will we be defeated. The United
States has been violated as a Nation, but we are united. We will pick
ourselves up and face the challenges of the coming days, weeks, and
months.
West Virginians and others around the country are outraged and
sickened by yesterday's attack, but I ask my constituents, my
colleagues, and my fellow Americans not to let the outrage outweigh our
compassion and cooperation. The heroic efforts of so many Americans are
inspiring and heart-warming.
Now is the time for us to unite and follow our Nation's leaders with
full faith. I know that the United States is the greatest country in
the world, and I feel blessed to enjoy the freedoms that we share. God
bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the attacks by terrorists yesterday against
the United States shocked this Nation, but let it be known to those
responsible that we will track them down and punish them. This Nation
will respond and this Congress will stand united with our President to
ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Any
nation that supports or harbors these terrorists should be retaliated
against by the United States to the full extent of our military
capabilities.
Mr. Speaker, today, as heroic men and women in New York and
Washington continue to search for victims, we pray for the families and
friends of those who have lost loved ones and those who still wait to
receive word on the missing.
Yesterday, after witnessing the horrors at the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, citizens of this great Nation demonstrated their courage
and their willingness to help their neighbors in need.
In my home State of New Jersey and in my district, thousands of
residents came forward and contributed blood for the victims of the
World Trade Center. So many of my constituents answered the call for
blood that many had to wait in line for several hours before they were
able to assist.
Owners of ferry boats in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey transported
displaced workers trapped on the tip of Manhattan to a safer spot in
New Jersey. Emergency personnel, doctors, and nurses from New Jersey
have worked around the clock to assist the courageous firefighters and
police officers in New York.
The reaction to this tragedy by the American people is proof of how
strong this Nation is. The government, including this Congress,
continues to operate. We will likely bring up legislation tomorrow to
allocate Federal aid for the rescue efforts in New York and Washington.
Mr. Speaker, terrorism does not work against the United States. It
will only strengthen our will to stamp out this new evil.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp), a member of the Committee on Ways
and Means.
Mr. CAMP. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with my colleagues in Congress and all
Americans to express support for this resolution. Today, although my
heart is weighed down by the tragedies affecting our Nation, I stand in
appreciation of the strength and resilience shown by Americans here and
abroad.
There have been countless examples of heroism in the face of
unbelievable tragedy. Hundreds of rescue workers continue to work and
look for survivors. Thousands of Americans have lined up to give blood,
and all across the country, citizens are offering sincere prayers.
Their faith in America proves that this country will prevail in the
face of tribulation. My prayers are with the victims and their
families.
This resolution further confirms and makes clear that rescue efforts
and investigators are receiving and will continue to receive the full
resources of the Federal Government.
The cowards who helped perpetrate this act will not get away. They
and those who offer them assistance and haven will be punished.
Terrorism against America will not be tolerated. This resolution
clearly sends a message to those responsible that they cannot hide, and
they will face the wrath and justice of the United States of America.
America will remain united as we rebuild and recover in the aftermath
of these heinous acts.
May this message be clear: The spirit of democracy and freedom that
America embodies will survive and cannot be shaken by violence or
terror. I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure to send a
clear message that America will not tolerate terrorism and will punish
those who commit such appalling acts.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my
friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda).
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues to offer my prayers
to families of the victims, those that have been injured or lost, those
who seek bravely to find life among the rubble.
I join with my colleagues in strong support of this resolution. All
four flights yesterday were bound for my home State of California. Many
families in our very area are still waiting for family members and
loved ones who will never return.
[[Page H5551]]
In their memory, I am proud to stand today with all of my colleagues
to inform the enemies of the United States that they may have shaken
the foundations of our buildings, but they will never, they will never
shake the foundation of our democracy. The unwavering strength of our
democracy can be found in our people and in our beliefs and in the
enduring ideal of our Republic that states ``All men are created
equal.''
Mr. Speaker, many have likened yesterday's attacks to the surprise
attack made upon Pearl Harbor in 1941. When I saw the many acts of
bravery and compassion in the streets of New York and at the Pentagon,
I firmly believe that we as Americans have lived up to the lineage of
valor from that fateful day.
I firmly believe that we will find those responsible, and that the
fullest measure of our justice will be meted out. There is one legacy I
pray that we do not embrace: the abandonment of our most cherished
ideals when blinded by rage.
Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher said it best last night:
``We must learn from the past to make sure that we do not repeat the
injustices visited upon one ethnic group in 1941.''
I pray we bring those responsible to justice, and that we do so
justly, in a manner unclouded by hatred or racial prejudice. That is
the foundation of our democracy.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), the chairman of
the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs and
International Relations of the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Yesterday's events forced us to confront as never before the
barbarism and cowardice of terrorism. We grieve for the victims, our
fellow Americans, and we pray for their peace. May we seek our peace
with this painful horror by offering solace and comfort to their
families, friends, colleagues, and all those affected by this tragedy.
Acts of war have been committed against innocent men, women, and
children going about the daily business and routines that are American
life. Lives have been lost. Life in America will never be the same.
Yet, while we react and respond to the attack, we must not succumb to
the terror. It is the weapon of an uncivilized, spiritually bankrupt
enemy who dares not confront us openly.
In the face of utter irrationality, rational people feel defenseless,
but we are not defenseless. The very freedom that made us vulnerable
yesterday remains our impenetrable bulwark against the massacre of
innocents that is terrorism. It is our freedom they target, our freedom
they envy.
We are not a Nation defined by tall buildings, a strong dollar, or a
powerful military; we are a Nation of free people who will not
surrender. After consoling the survivors and healing the wounded, our
task as a free people is to support the many men and women trying to
prosecute the war against terrorism.
All those sworn to protect our national security and our public
safety, from the President to the paramedic, need our support and our
prayers. We are free to mourn, we are free to rebuild. Our freedom is
our strength, and we will endure. Terrorists are slaves to their hate.
They will be caught. They will be punished.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my
friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. Our American family has faced
an assault on its way of life. Our freedom has come under attack. We
are still coming to terms with the vision of our own brothers and
sisters, our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers, being
victimized by despicable acts perpetrated by the evil and the cowardly.
What happened yesterday was an unspeakable act of war on the very
foundation of what makes us American. It was a craven assault on
thousands of innocent people who are enjoying the freedom we hold so
dear and the perpetrators so despise. It was a day of incomprehensible
terror and grief, conceived and carried out by the very worst of
mankind.
Indeed, our American family has witnessed evil at times throughout
its history. From the world wars to the Holocaust to the ethnic
cleansing in Bosnia, we have always responded with action that
exemplifies the very best of what we stand for.
And it continues. Yesterday, with the daring of our rescue workers,
with the complete compassion of strangers standing in lines 800 deep to
give their own blood, the government wholly unified as one voice behind
a Commander in Chief. We have shown the world that it is impossible to
break our will in America. Our country will move on, our mission still
intact. We will march forward with all conviction to fight for freedom.
Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, make no mistake about how resolved we
are. We are resolute in our stance that those hateful warmongers who
perpetrated these atrocities will be hunted as predators, the very
predators that they are. They will be punished in a way that is
unmistakable in the defense of our country and all we hold dear.
Justice, I say to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), must prevail, even though the
heavens may crumble.
God bless America. God bless our families.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), a senior member of the
Committee on International Relations and former chairman of the
Committee on Banking and Financial Services, and now on the Committee
on Financial Services.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more difficult than to
provide perspective to events of this week, but it would be self-
evident that two of the profoundest lessons are that all societies,
particularly democracies, are vulnerable to terrorism and that there is
a growing breach between elements of the Islamic world and Judeo-
Christian values.
In this context, it is imperative that those responsible for heinous
acts be held accountable at the bar of justice. Likewise, it is
critical that any response be fair as well as firm so that an action-
reaction cycle is not precipitated.
Force is justified against terrorists and their harborers, not Islam
or innocents. I stress this point because from an American perspective,
terrorism is the enemy. We respect Islam and Islamic nations. The only
brief we hold is against parties that manipulate hatred and employ
tactics of terror.
Civilized values, whether of the East or of the West, are rooted in
just behavior and fundamentals of faith. Accordingly, at this traumatic
juncture, the U.S. has an obligation to emphasize our identity with
those individuals of faith who derive their values from the Koran, as
well as the Old and New Testament.
The barbarous acts precipitated in New York and Washington are more
crimes against civilization and humanity than attacks on the United
States as a Nation. Hence, as we seek accountability, we look for the
support of faithful people and justice seekers of all societies in a
war to eliminate the cowardice of terrorism.
The despicable acts of this past week do not put American security
particularly at risk; it is civilization and civilized values which
demand protection.
{time} 2145
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott).
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues in support of the
resolution.
Yesterday freedom's bell rang for thousands of civilian and military
personnel as it has for over 200 years.
Mr. Speaker, on December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt and his message
to Congress declared, ``Yesterday, a date which will live in infamy,
the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.''
Likewise, we today declared that the date of September 11, 2001, will
also live in infamy.
Yesterday's attack is in the order of magnitude beyond anything we
have ever experienced in the history of the
[[Page H5552]]
United States. As many as five to ten times more lives lost than at
Pearl Harbor, lives of Americans from all walks of life.
At this tragic time, America must speak with one voice and support
the President in his efforts to hold all of those responsible
accountable for their actions.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones
in this great tragedy.
Our Nation extends its greatest appreciation to rescue personnel who
responded to this tragedy, especially those who risked or gave their
lives in an effort to help others and those who will continue the grim
work in the days and weeks to come.
May God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin).
(Mrs. CUBIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, there are no words to describe the anguish we and all
Americans feel on this day. Our innocence has been stolen as we
discover our vulnerability to the acts of zealous madmen.
President Bush reassured Americans last night that, while those who
detest freedom may destroy brick and mortar and even take the lives of
innocents, they can not destroy the American spirit. We can take
comfort and confidence in our national resolve and depend on it to help
us overcome this temporary setback.
Clearly, we must gather the American spirit and rally around our
Commander-in-Chief. We must support his efforts to make crystal clear
the fact that the American people are united and resolute; that we will
take a stand against attacks on our sovereignty; and that we will atone
this grievous act.
I am sure the entire membership of this body joins me in supporting
the President in the crisis and in praying to God for guidance.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg), a member of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, on December 7, 1941, America was
forthrightly challenged by a foe. A foe that came in marked planes and
attacked military targets. They stood forward to defend themselves and
their possessions. That was the Pearl Harbor attack.
Yesterday, America sustained a cowardly attack. Our foes came in
unmarked planes and they sought, not military targets, but civilian
ones. Mr. Speaker, they have made a grave error. They have
underestimated the resolve of this Nation. Make no mistake, we will
hunt them down and they will pay.
Last night, my daughter and several of her college colleagues went to
a blood donation center and stood in line for over 4\1/2\ hours to give
blood. She and millions of other Americans stand forthrightly today to
help fight for a cause they believe in and a Nation they hold dear.
Not until 3 hours ago did the full import of what has happened sink
in to me. For 3 hours ago, I and 24 of my colleagues on the Republican
Study Committee, Members of Congress, went to the Pentagon. We stood
literally 50 feet from where the gaping hole exists in the side of that
building. We spoke with the FBI, and we spoke with the first response
teams that were there. We thanked them for what they had done.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to two of my colleagues who joined
us for their reflections on that site and on these events.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.
The gentleman is absolutely right. The trip we took down to the
Pentagon late this afternoon put the horrors of yesterday into context.
We were taking a look at the side of the Pentagon, the part that was
virtually destroyed, and recognizing that we were still only seeing a
partial picture of the devastation that had happened with the crash. We
were able to thank the individuals who, for the last 36 hours, have
been on-site in a search and recovery mode, trying to do everything
they can to identify and find the survivors and answer the questions.
On behalf of a grateful America, we were able to express our
appreciation to those workers in person and also to the people working
in New York.
Also, our thanks go out to the grateful people who entered into
prayer last night for the victims, the families and for the workers
that have done such heroic things.
Mr. Speaker, all across America last night, people came together in
prayer. They prayed for the victims of yesterday's tragedies and they
prayed for the loved ones of those who lost their lives.
As a country, we prayed for understanding, and we prayed that our
children would never again have to witness such senseless violence.
As we attempt to come to grips with the scope of what happened
yesterday, I am reminded of our great nation's motto: ``In God We
Trust.''
Today, as a nation, we need to reaffirm our belief in this motto,
because now, more than ever, we as a nation need to put our trust in
God.
My heart goes out to the victims and families and friends of those
killed and injured in yesterday's attacks. We need to keep them at the
forefront of our thoughts and prayers. We also need to keep in our
prayers the thousands of firefighters, police, rescue personnel,
doctors and others who are tirelessly working to rescue the victims of
these barbaric attacks.
To those who would dare threaten the United States, or the freedom
that she represents, I can tell you that the resolve of our great
people and this great nation remain strong. Through our faith in God,
we will not easily be bowed.
May this be a season of prayer, as we attempt to understand the
tragic events of yesterday, and as we contemplate our national
response.
Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I would simply say it was impossible to
stand there and not be stricken with grief and embroiled in rage.
The survivors of this tragedy, the victims and their families,
deserve our thoughts and our prayers. It was brought home when we went
to the site.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, it is hard for us, as we have been in one of
centers of the firestorm, to react emotionally as we have tried to deal
with this issue with our staff.
We can see the pictures like other Americans. But last night, when I
went home to my apartment and actually could look out the window and
see the smoke from the Pentagon across the interstate and smell the
smoke in my apartment, it became a little more real.
Until the Republican Study Committee organized this first group of
Members to go over this afternoon and we were standing there at the
site, we thought that it is just a small measure of what they must feel
in New York. The ability to thank our workers who are strained, who are
stressed, who are now going in trying to find the bodies, the dads and
the moms and the brothers and the sisters of Americans who have been
brutally assassinated by terrorists and to talk about how in their
offices now they have the names and how they are targeting where they
are going to go in and try to find them.
The building is still burning in some parts as they try to find the
black box. The men were trying to figure out whether the structure was
safe for them to go in. Yet, if they do not go in soon, they cannot get
the black box out and this holds valuable information. So time is of
the essence.
We wanted to personally thank, in our small way, those Americans so
dedicated and make it clear to anybody around the world that this is a
Nation of love but also a Nation that is angry.
This is a Nation that is very passionate and cares but also wants
some answers and some results. Our heart goes out to them; and I thank
the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg), the leader of the Republican
Study Committee, for organizing this because it was an experience that
many of us will never forget.
Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, as we stood outside of the building,
witnessing the devastation, listening to the descriptions, the fact is
that from the outside we can only see a part of what is going on. There
is vastly more destruction inside the building as it is spread out and
there are dead bodies there.
I was struck by the comment of one worker. He had been there when the
plane went in the building. He had seen the building moments after its
first impact.
[[Page H5553]]
He said to me his most difficult moment was not then and not when he
was told perhaps there is a second plane en route and their lives were
in danger. His toughest moment was when he went home last night and his
5-year old asked him who would do this and why would they perpetrate
such an act, why would they bring down an airline, why would they seek
to kill so many people.
It is incomprehensible when you see the death, when you see the
devastation, and when you understand it. But make no mistake, our
opponents need to look no further than the roof of this building. The
American flag, the symbol of freedom, Old Glory was there yesterday. It
is there today. It will be there tomorrow. We will not surrender until
we have found them and we have exacted retribution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Moran), my friend and distinguished colleague.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, we cannot yet grasp the impact of
Tuesday's events on the future of American life. In Northern Virginia,
our fear and anxiety are almost overwhelming. All of us know someone
who works at the Pentagon. They are friends and neighbors. They are
active in our schools and churches. In short, they are good people who
have devoted their lives to the defense of freedom. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the entire family of Pentagon employees. They have
demonstrated once again the particular dangers to which our military
and Federal civil servants are often subjected.
While thousands of innocent lives have been lost, this much is
certain. The perpetrators of this horrible attack must not succeed in
weakening the United States or its core values. We must not retreat
from our legitimate role as the leader of the free world.
Where American interests are at stake or where the cause of freedom
and democracy can be appropriately advanced, American foreign policy
must be one of active engagement. American leadership in promoting
peace and democracy will put the Nation at odds with terrorists and
others bent on evil.
Tuesday's events, as horrible and as tragic as they are, do not mark
the first time America has been targeted because its most basic values
are correct. Fear of terrorists must not deter us from carrying on our
policies just as we have for more than 200 years.
America must also stand firm, though, in its commitment to civil
liberties for all of our people. In the coming months and years, all of
us will have to make accommodations to heightened security at our
airports, Federal buildings, and other large landmarks. We can and must
make those accommodations and in a manner that is wholly consistent
with the U.S. Constitution.
We will have to devote more of our national resources toward
intelligence gathering and counterterrorism.
We must resist the dark temptation toward human prejudice as the
investigation of these attacks unfolds. In the wake of the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese-Americans were terribly mistreated by
our government and many of our countrymen. I do not know where the
current investigation will lead, but I do know that no religious or
ethnic group that comprises our diverse society must be made to suffer
solely because of their religion or ethnicity.
We will go after these terrorists, and we do so in concert with our
allies around the world. Democrats and Republicans alike, we are all
Americans in a common enterprise. We will not let this happen again.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong support of the
resolution.
I just returned a couple of hours ago from a tour of the Pentagon.
Two things struck me. First, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the
response teams there who have risked their lives to save the lives of
others.
Second, I would suggest that anyone who has a hard time with the
President's phrase that this is an act of war ought to visit that site.
It is impossible to do so without coming away struggling for even
stronger words to describe that act and that tragedy. This was an act
of war, and we need to respond accordingly.
Mr. Speaker, we live in a free society; and because we do, there are
some things that we will never do, some risk that we are always willing
to accept in order to live in a free society. But at the same time
there are things that we need to do.
The first thing we need to do is to respond to this act of terror.
I was heartened by the President's statement last night that he draws
no distinction between those who committed these acts and those who
harbor terrorism, those who assist terrorism. We should draw no
distinction either, and I would urge this Congress to stand behind the
President in this regard.
Seeing Americans all over the country pick themselves up and stand up
and move ahead on this day makes me proud once again to be an American.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green), my friend and valued colleague.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California for yielding me time.
I rise today, like a lot of my colleagues, with a heavy heart for
anyone who has suffered from yesterday's tragic and cowardly attack.
Yesterday was one of America's darkest hours. Our thoughts and our
prayers are with the families of the victims and those who were injured
or killed yesterday and with all Americans.
America is coming together and focusing on bringing the full weight
of our Nation into recovery effort. We will find our missing, bury our
dead, heal our wounded and rebuild. The light of freedom has not been
extinguished.
As the book of Isaiah says, ``Your sun will never set again, and your
moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and
your days of sorrow will end.''
Mr. Speaker, that brings me to the other thoughts I have been having
since this tragedy unfolded. From this day forward, the word needs to
go out from this country that no matter what dark place the enemies of
America wish to hide in, our law enforcement and military will find
them.
I strongly support President Bush and his position that countries
providing safe havens to known terrorists be treated no differently
than the terrorists themselves. We have the ability to deliver
destruction of biblical proportions. Those who carry out these horrible
acts need to be punished, either through our court system or through
the reach of our military.
To the people of America, I ask you to continue to keep the victims
of this attack in your prayers and pray for the safety of those engaged
in our rescue efforts.
This cowardly attack was condemned throughout the world but was
cheered in the streets of Iraq, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. It
is truly a sick society that teaches its children such hate. For them
to cheer at this terrible loss of innocent life is something I will
make a point of remembering.
The new war against terrorism began yesterday, but the healing begins
today. Our enemies hoped yesterday to weaken America, to hurt it, but
they failed. America will come out of this horrible event stronger,
more united, and more powerful than ever.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Northern Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of this
resolution.
The event of yesterday, of course, will leave a lasting impact in our
community in Northern Virginia.
{time} 2200
Our friends, our neighbors, have all been affected, as I think has
the whole country. But yesterday's act was an act of war, but the enemy
was not necessarily a particular country or a nation, but a network of
terrorists harbored and enabled in some cases by other nations who are
lurking in the shadows, afraid of identifying themselves, even in some
cases denying their deeds while praising these acts.
The perpetrators of these vicious acts and their abettors are not
wholly identified as yet, but their act of war was
[[Page H5554]]
not only against the United States, but against all freedom-loving
people throughout the globe. Any failure on our part to act decisively
against these mass murderers will only encourage more such acts against
other peoples and other nations.
Our country has put aside the partisan squabbling, and we stand
united behind our President to give him the resources he needs to seek
out and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.
We thank our allies and other leaders across the world for their
expressions of support and sympathy; and working together, we can rid
this planet of the terrorist menace that knows no boundaries, obeys no
rules, respects no life.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution is only a start, but it demonstrates our
determination as a Nation to stand shoulder to shoulder united as one
people, to bring justice to these attackers and normalization to our
lives.
My deepest sympathy to the families of these victims and those
awaiting word on loved ones who cannot be accounted for. My
appreciation to the rescue workers, the police, firefighters and
medical personnel and volunteers who have risked their lives to help
their brothers and sisters. These Americans and countless volunteers
have again demonstrated the American spirit at this time of crisis.
To those military and Federal employees who were targets of the
suicide bombers, they once again, as in Oklahoma City, have paid the
supreme price for anger directed at our political system. They are
heroes who will forever be remembered for the sacrifice they made for
freedom. History will never forget their heroic sacrifice.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my distinguished colleague.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution; but tonight I would like to take a moment to tell my
colleagues about three of the lives so cruelly ended yesterday by
nameless cowards.
Tara Shea Creamer lived in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
She was just 30 years old when she departed Boston on American Airlines
Flight 11 which crashed into the World Trade Center. Ms. Creamer and
her husband, John, were married in 1994 and have two children, Colin,
age 4, and Nora who is just 15 months old. She also had three sisters
and two brothers, and her husband teaches in the Worcester Public
Schools.
Ms. Creamer was one of seven employees of the TJX Company
headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, flying to Los Angeles on a
3-day business trip.
Lynn Goodchild, was 25 years old and lived in Attleboro,
Massachusetts which is in the central part of my district. She was one
of the 65 people on board United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston to Los
Angeles on her way to vacation in Hawaii when the plane was hijacked.
Ms. Goodchild was the daughter of William and Ellen Goodchild of
Attleboro. She had a brother, Neil. Lynn graduated from Attleboro High
School, went on to graduate from Bentley College in Waltham,
Massachusetts, and worked at Putnam Investments in Boston.
Dianne Snyder, 42, was a flight attendant from Westport,
Massachusetts. She is a mother of two children, ages 11 and 14. She and
her husband, John, moved to Massachusetts from Connecticut just a few
years ago. Dianne worked for American Airlines and was on the job on
Flight 11. As John Snyder said, ``I know there are so many families
that are affected by this in so much pain right now.'' His words are
tragically true.
While respecting the privacy and personal grief of Lynn Goodchild,
Tara Shea Creamer and Dianne Snyder's families, friends and colleagues,
I believe it is important that my own colleagues and the American
people know something about the Americans murdered yesterday by
terrorists. Three women are now lost to all of us. Their talents, hopes
and dreams lost forever.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to hold Tara Shea Creamer, Lynn
Goodchild, Dianne Snyder and their families, along with all of the
victims of this tragedy, in their thoughts and prayers.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci).
(Mr. GRUCCI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GRUCCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise as so many do here this evening to
speak about the atrocities that have happened with a very heavy heart.
In my district there are men and women who went to work yesterday
morning to work at the World Trade Center, and they never returned
home. Their children have no mother or father, and their families will
forever be touched. I ask why. Why does something like this happen? Was
that a military installation that was targeted for attack? The answer
is, no. It was a building where men and women shopped and worked, and
children from schools would go to ride the elevator to the top floor to
look out over the horizon of the New York City skylines to New Jersey
and out to Long Island.
I ask myself did those people do something wrong. The answer is no,
they did nothing wrong. Why? The answer is there is no answer to a
question like that. When people are born and bred to be evil as those
who have perpetrated this crime against society have been, there is
only one answer, and that answer is to eradicate that evil from our
society so that freedom-loving people, people who wish to live with the
liberties that we enjoy in this country, the same kinds of liberties
that have brought many people through our gates and through the
outstretched arms of the Statute of Liberty, to find a new home and to
find a life in this country because we allow those types of liberties
to our people who live here.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday is not going to take that away. There was an
attempt to rock the seat of government of this country, to take out our
leaders and destroy our economics. All of those have failed. The only
thing that has succeeded was the pain, the suffering, and the needless
death of so many innocent people, the number of which is staggering,
and may be as high as 20,000 to 30,000 people will be found to be the
victims of that terrible ordeal.
Our hearts go out to the families, and the Federal Government is
marshaling its resources to help in the recovery and to help in trying
to find those who may still be alive in that twisted rubble and that
wreck of a building that was a landmark of this great Nation.
When that is completed, and as we continue to discuss this today, we
will find those who are responsible and bring them to the swift justice
that they deserve. No place can they hide on this planet; nowhere can
they find refuge from what they did yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this resolution. The prayers of
this house, the prayers of the world are with those families who have
been touched in Washington and New York, and the families who are the
victims of those plane crashes. God bless America and God bless those
who are in pain and suffering tonight.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution before
us.
Today, Americans the Nation over went to work with a unity and sense
of purpose borne of the unspeakable tragedy we suffered as a country
yesterday. We are all filled with a deep sense of loss for the
thousands of innocent victims, their families and friends. We are all
as Americans in awe of the heroism we have seen by our police and our
firefighters, as well as that from ordinary Americans who have risked
or even given their lives in courageous efforts to help others.
Mr. Speaker, as Americans we all want to pitch in and help in the
immediate recovery effort; and the long, slow lines of the Nation's
blood banks will bear witness.
As Americans, we also know that we are in a war today. We are at war
with terrorists who seek to rob us of our way of life, just as they
robbed us of our countrymen in their cowardly attacks of yesterday.
They will not win their war against the people of the United States.
Our freedoms, liberties and collective strength of united American
people represent a far more mighty force than these murderers could
ever have imaged. We are applying that strength today in an urgent,
focused effort to identify those responsible. And when
[[Page H5555]]
we know who conceived and executed these terrible acts, we will render
a fearsome punishment in response, not solely to account for the lives
taken and the losses inflicted against us, but in defense of freedom
for us and people around the world.
Despite the devastation and horrific loss of life wrought by
yesterday's attacks, the terrorists failed to achieve their objective.
They have not even made a dent in the very source of American
greatness: a strong, united people living freely in the greatest
democracy the world has ever known.
In honor and loving memory to all who died and their families, we
will not rest until this war these terrorists cowardly launched
yesterday is won and won completely, and our country and the world made
safer as a result.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Highways and Transit.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution before
us. Tuesday's terrorist attacks were designed to create fear and chaos,
but the real effect has been to pull us together. Through a systematic
act of war, the terrorists have awakened a sleeping giant, and as a
result they will discover how effective we can be now that we are
sufficiently united and motivated.
Mr. Speaker, our friends in the British Parliament and German
Bundestag have made it clear to me that they regard yesterday's attack
as an attack against civilization, not just against the United States;
and I believe that attitude is shared by most people around the world,
and that most of the world's governments will cooperate with us in a
spirit of resolute solidarity as we develop a strong, intelligent
response.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding
me this time.
Mr. Speaker, for everything there is a season and a time for every
activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to
kill and a time to heal; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to
mourn and a time to dance; a time to embrace and a time to refrain; a
time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to
hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
After the atrocities of yesterday, we, the American people, asked the
question: What time is it? This is a time for prayer. This is a time to
mourn the loss of life. This is a time to weep because crying eases the
pain. This is a time to appreciate and honor those countless, nameless
men and women, firefighters, rescue workers, volunteers and others who
have risked and lost their lives trying to help their fellow Americans.
This is time to embrace one another and to express our feelings of
love. This is a time to mend broken hearts of the people of our Nation
who have experienced the loss of a family member. This is a time to
speak of the strength of our Nation and to let the world know that we
resolve that to never allow any terrorists to think for one moment that
they can, by their conduct, permanently disrupt our democracy.
This is a time to ferret out the persons who have committed these
acts of terrorism and to hold them accountable. In time we will emerge
from this stronger, wiser and more compassionate. In time we will find
our way. In time we will again laugh, share good times, and take
pleasure in our family, friends and favorite pursuits.
Mr. Speaker, in times like this, I call upon my faith and say,
``Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.''
{time} 2215
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), a member of the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in addition to losing thousands and thousands
of our fellow citizens, loved ones, parents, moms, brothers and
sisters, we were attacked at three symbolic buildings, a financial
center, a military center, and the government center, buildings which
Americans recognize, visit and study. The financial center, the World
Trade Building, where wheelings and dealings that affect the entire
globe take place, indeed the actions themselves, breaking the skyline
of New York City, the economic beacon of the West. The Pentagon, where
our strategists, our generals, get together, the wizards of what is
best for national security. And Washington, D.C., the very center of
the free government and representative democracy.
We were stunned in disbelief, confused in grasping the scope of the
hatred behind such an act, and yesterday was a very low and sad day for
the United States of America. But it was also a defining moment,
because Americans, which are so often divided in philosophy and
geography, by region, by politics, by race and by economics, we are now
one. We are united in our patriotism, our resolve and our commitment.
This United States Congress will get behind the proper government
agencies, the FBI, the CIA, the military, the Attorney General, we will
give them the resources they need to identify and plan a strategy to
retaliate.
And, Mr. Speaker, the citizens of the United States of America will
get back on our airplanes. We will return to our workplaces. And we
will resume our government in this great and free country, and this
land of freedom will reign on and the bell will be heard all over the
world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) a valued member of the Committee on
International Relations.
(Mr. BROWN of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the victims and the
families, especially the firefighters and the police officers who gave
their lives.
Mr. Speaker, no words can properly express the emotions we all feel
regarding the attacks in New York and Washington. My deepest sympathies
go to the families and friends of those Americans taken from us in this
brutal, senseless manner.
Thousands of military, law enforcement, and rescue personnel are
currently assisting the victims and piecing together the clues that
will lead to the capture and appropriate punishment of the perpetrators
of these horrendous acts. At this time of crisis in our nation, I urge
all Americans to exercise patience and caution and to search for ways
to help fellow citizens.
I also urge my fellow Americans not to allow these unprovoked acts to
diminish our shared faith in the United States or to compromise the
values that make ours the freest country in the world. The celebrated
resolve of the American people to overcome adversity must and will
prevail. With the memory of those lost, America will persevere.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
distinguished colleague and good friend, the gentlewoman from Minnesota
(Ms. McCollum).
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's terrorist attack was a crime
against the American people and it was a crime against humanity.
Calling this attack an act of war does not begin to accurately describe
this barbaric attack.
Today, we stand with our President, the men and women of law
enforcement, and with our Armed Forces as we dedicate our Nation to
achieving swift and appropriate justice for the terrorists responsible
for this act.
Today, we have been inspired by the courage of Americans risking
their lives to rescue and heal their neighbors. Today, we are comforted
by America's prayers for the injured and grieving. And, today, from the
ashes of this horrific act, we as Americans reaffirm our highest
beliefs in freedom, democracy and justice.
On behalf of the people of Minnesota's Fourth District, our hearts
and prayers are with the victims of this terrible crime.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), a member of the Committee on
Agriculture and the Committee on the Budget.
Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, America changed forever yesterday. Our
innocence lost, we have had the horrors of faraway capitals delivered
to our own. Our freedom at stake, we have resolved to fight back at all
forms of terror and tyranny. We have seen Americans rally
[[Page H5556]]
behind the blood drives to aid the wounded, shopkeepers who opened up
their wares to weary, shell-shocked fellow citizens, refused payment
and bid only ``God bless you.''
I was with the President yesterday in Florida when the initial attack
occurred, and aboard Air Force One throughout much of the day as the
breadth of the horror unfolded. The President was calm, deliberate, and
thoughtful as he received wave after wave of bad news and analysis. He
immediately reached out to his national security team and settled into
his Commander in Chief responsibilities. He rightly made the decision
to go to a secure location to manage the crisis as it developed. I am
sure all Americans are grateful, as I am, that the threats against the
White House and Air Force One were not carried out.
Mr. Speaker, the fabric of American life was frayed but not torn
yesterday. It was soiled with the blood of innocent American civilians.
But our American way will not be diminished, and America will not be
tarnished by these agents of evil. May America endure and prosper
forever.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my valued
colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lucas).
Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice to the
outrage I am sure every American feels today. My condolences and those
of my fellow Kentuckians go out to the families who have lost loved
ones as a result of yesterday's tragic events. The victims of these
cowardly attacks were innocent Americans of every color and creed.
Heartbreak is the only word that can adequately describe what I felt as
I witnessed one of the most despicable crimes in our history.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt described December 7, 1941, as a date which
will live in infamy. He described that day's attack upon Pearl Harbor
as an unprovoked and dastardly attack. I say to my colleagues here in
Congress, and my fellow Americans watching us here tonight, that the
evil which fueled the murder yesterday of thousands of peace-loving
Americans rivals that evil which plunged our Nation into World War II
some 60 years ago. And make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, yesterday's attack
was nothing less than an act of war.
The terrorist forces against us would see us brought to our knees and
see us shaking in terror. They would have us back away from the
freedoms we hold dear. But they must be made to understand that those
freedoms are the result of 200 years of struggle. Nothing within the
terrorists' power can daunt this great democracy and its resolve.
It was John F. Kennedy who said, ``Let every nation know, whether it
wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the
survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge and more.''
The circumstances have changed since President Kennedy said these
words. The sentiment has not. God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), a member of the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues and millions
of Americans in their shock, sorrow and outrage at yesterday's horrific
attack. I join with them, too, in the resolution to stand united
against terror and against cowards that would attack innocent men,
women and children, and against the fear that would overthrow our
liberty. We will recover. We will rebuild. And we will continue to
stand proudly, a shining city on a hill, a target to many, but a beacon
of hope to so many more.
To the thousands of victims of yesterday's attack, and their family
and friends, we offer nothing less than the full support of the most
powerful nation on earth. All of us share in this tragedy, and my heart
and prayers go out to the friends and family of the victims, including
the two employees of the Census Bureau's New York Regional Office.
Words cannot soothe the pain of this loss, but I pray that it is some
consolation, to those who grieve, that a nation grieves with you.
Already, the armies of compassion are mobilized. Amid yesterday's
terrible destruction was also great heroism. Police, firemen, and
rescue workers put themselves in grave danger in order to save the
lives of others. Volunteers worked through the night. People lined up
around the block and around the country to give blood. Yesterday was a
call to action and America answered.
No one answered more readily than our Commander in Chief. President
Bush's day began yesterday with a visit to Booker Elementary School in
my congressional district in Sarasota, Florida. The gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Putnam) and I were there to welcome him to the school when
we learned of the attack. We joined him aboard Air Force One to return
to Washington. En route to Andrews Air Force Base, we received a
credible security threat to the President and Air Force One. Because of
this threat, we were diverted to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
During the flight, we met with President Bush and he updated us on this
tragedy. My respect for him has only increased as a result of the
experience. I witnessed a President fully informed, engaged, and
resolute in easing the pain of the victims' families and our Nation, as
well as finding and punishing those responsible.
To those who committed this act of war and those who would stand with
them or hide them or assist them in any way, I offer only scorn,
defiance, and resolution.
Scorn, that small men with evil intent would think for a moment that
a cowardly attack against innocent men, women and children would ever
constitute any kind of victory.
Defiance, that we will not allow fear to compromise our liberty or
our way of life.
And resolution, that those responsible will be found and brought to
justice, along with any who would follow their example.
These people sought to visit terror upon our country but it is they
who will live in fear, their nights spent in terror and their days
spent in hiding, until justice is served.
Mr. Speaker, I join our President and our country in sorrow and
resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend and colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).
Mr. CARDIN. Let me thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos)
for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, it was 187 years ago this very evening that in
Baltimore, Maryland, at Fort McHenry, this Nation, this young Nation,
won its second war of independence. It was the beginning of the end of
the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key on this very evening 187 years ago
wrote his inspirational poem that became our National Anthem.
In that third verse, he wrote some words that are helpful for us this
evening:
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave.
We survived the attack by a hostile power and became the strongest
Nation in the world, and we will survive this attack on our democratic
principles, and we will grow even stronger.
Marylanders have once again shown their patriotism. Mr. Speaker, the
calls to our office from doctors, from firefighters, from ordinary
citizens offering their help has been heartwarming.
Let me just conclude by the words that were included on a page of one
of our major papers in the editorial section, where it wrote: Lady
Liberty still stands tall, shrouded in smoke, covered in dust and
blood. She is crying, she is afraid, she is angry, but she will not
yield.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Military Readiness.
(Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I think first tonight about
the quiet efforts of thousands of ordinary people yesterday who were
called upon to do extraordinary things: the firefighters and EMS
personnel who climbed up the stairs of the World Trade Center towers
while thousands of their fellow citizens were going down. Why did they
do that, knowing full well that they would likely perish? Because they
could save people, strangers who were trapped inside. How many did they
save we will never know. Those brave heroes are no longer here to tell
us their stories. They perished, sadly, when the towers collapsed. Who
will
[[Page H5557]]
tell their story now? We have only the testimony of those they helped,
those who did not make it out, and, of course, we have the thanks and
prayers of a grateful Nation.
How about the workers at our airports who were called upon to land
hundreds of planes all across America at airports large and small? They
landed them all safely. That is a story that did not make the news. And
the people in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, just folks who
work a job day by day, just like the rest us. They got up, went to
work, kissed their spouse and their kids, and never came home. And of
the passengers and crews of the four hijacked planes, innocent people
just trying to get from place to place on a busy day. They were going
to business meetings, family outings or vacations.
And so we ask as we take stock of our loss, what cowards could
perpetrate such acts? Who would kill innocent people on such a massive
scale? Dozens of our colleagues have said it correctly. We are at war.
So let us today prepare for a war. A Declaration of War has been
drafted. I will circulate it tomorrow for my colleagues to cosponsor.
We have a unique responsibility here in this House, for the
Constitution, Article 1, section 8, gives the Congress, and the
Congress alone, the power to declare war, to raise and support armies,
to provide and maintain a navy, and to make rules for the government
and regulation of the Armed Forces. That is our job, my colleagues, our
job alone.
{time} 2230
Let us do our job, the most important function of the Federal
Government, to provide for the common defense.
My friends, this war will not be won quickly, and it will not be won
in a very cheap manner. It will require nothing less than a complete
rethinking about what constitutes national security and intelligence.
So I ask my friends in good faith to join together to give our
President the tools he needs to win the war and finish the job.
My friends, we will infiltrate and decimate the ranks of these
terrorist groups. We will seek out and destroy their base camps and
training grounds. We will punish their clients and host states. And we
will eliminate their leaders once and for all. This must be our goal.
Nothing less will do the job.
Let us give our families the security they deserve. Let us make our
streets safe again. Let us send our enemies into retreat.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings).
(Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross).
Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, like all Americans, I was stunned, angered,
and saddened by yesterday's unprecedented and unconscionable terrorist
attacks in New York and here in our Nation's capital.
Today is a time for all Americans to come together and pray for our
country, for all the victims of this horrific tragedy and their
families, and for all those working around the clock to assist in the
rescue and recovery efforts that will get our Nation moving again.
I am proud of the way that the people of New York City and
Washington, D.C. and all across America have responded to these tragic
events. As the details unfold, no doubt the number of casualties will
be staggering, and we will have many questions to answer.
Our country is in a state of shock, but we are resolved to not let
these groups alter our Nation's livelihood. We will overcome this
tragedy, and we will become a stronger Nation because of it.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's attacks were a threat, not only to our
people, to our children, to our grandchildren, but to our freedom, and,
indeed, the American way of life. Simply put, they were acts of
cowardice that will not be tolerated.
Our response should be swift and strong, one that will send a
message, loud and clear, to terrorists around the world: we will not
allow this to become the kind of country where our children and
grandchildren will always fear, a fear of terrorism.
Make no mistake about it, the President, the administration and this
Congress will stand united as one America in our endeavor to root out,
not only the perpetrators, but also those who harbor and support such
evil and inhumane acts of terror.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Telecommunications and the Internet of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, this has been a long day, and somehow we knew
last night that this nightmare would not go away when daybreak came
this morning. This has been a long day, particularly for those families
that have lost a loved one, and also for the emergency personnel,
friends, and neighbors. This has been a long day for America, as we
come to grips with this attack on America and the values that we hold
so dearly.
I spoke earlier this afternoon with a family in my district whose
son, Brad, worked on the 93rd floor of the World Trade Center. Their
news was no news, no word, no good.
As we struggle with our grief and pray for those families, we are
reminded that this is a country that stands for freedom and justice,
and, yes, we will prevail. We stand here tonight united behind our
Nation's efforts to seek swift justice. We will find all the people who
orchestrated and participated in this evil web. I have no doubts. These
mass murderers, wherever they are, will be identified and, yes, justice
will be served.
Tonight I participated, like thousands of Americans, in a prayer
vigil, and I said a prayer for Brad. I asked for a miracle to save him
and so many others like him.
I say to our fellow citizens across the country, thank you. Thank you
for your prayers for us, for the leaders of this country, and the so
many public servants. They are appreciated, and they help right the
mayhem to lift us all.
Yes, we are united. We are the United States of America.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday America experienced tragedy. With
the collapse of the World Trade Center and the penetration of the
Pentagon by hijacked aircraft, thousands of Americans lost their lives.
We all mourn, and we are all resolved to take new steps to secure again
the safety of our country.
We Americans stand together now. As Americans, we will insist that
these American deaths be accounted for and that American lives lost
will not come without an extraordinarily high cost to those who are our
enemies and those who help and support our enemy.
As we move ahead through each day, there is something that we must
remember and take comfort in: a great nation is defined by great
peoples. We saw this greatness yesterday in the heroism of firefighters
and police and volunteers who tried to save others. We saw it in the
victims on planes who, while facing certain death, called ground forces
with information that today are helping us put together the evidentiary
pieces to identify our enemies.
We Americans, our heritage may be Irish, Chinese, German, Italian,
and many more; we are Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and
more. It is important to remember that it is not how we look or how we
dress or the religion we follow that distinguishes us as Americans. No,
instead, it is our commitment to liberty, our dedication to the
American beacon of liberty and the passion with which we love America.
Let us punish America's enemies, but take care never to dishonor our
country by blaming other loyal Americans merely because of their
religion or ethnicity.
Mr. Speaker, our country will emerge stronger after enduring these
attacks. Today, our hearts and prayers go out to those who are lost and
to their families; and, as a diverse and united people, we pray
together that God bless the United States of America.
[[Page H5558]]
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, President Kennedy once observed that there were two
moments that the children of his generation would never forget, the day
Pearl Harbor was attacked and the day that Franklin Roosevelt died.
Now it can be said that the two moments that my generation will never
forget are the day President Kennedy was assassinated and yesterday's
murder of the innocents.
The visions from the hell that was visited upon us yesterday will
remain in our memories for the rest of our lives. Among the most
horrifying of those images is that of the second Boeing 767 crashing
into the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m.
When flight 175 took off from Boston with its 56 passengers and 7
flight attendants bound for Los Angeles, its pilot was my constituent,
Victor Saracini. Before becoming a pilot for United, Mr. Saracini had
served his Nation as a Navy pilot. As all commercial pilots, he was
responsible every day for the lives and the safety of others. I am
certain that this Navy man did not relinquish his helm without a fight.
Mr. Saracini leaves behind a wife, Ellen, and two children, Kirsten
and Brielle.
Today, it is our duty to remember and honor and grieve for all those
who were torn from their families and from this life, even as we here
who were ourselves targeted for destruction struggle to find some
purpose in all this madness.
But tomorrow we must dedicate ourselves to the reality that
civilization and freedom cannot exist side-by-side with deranged and
vicious assassins. We owe it to our children and to the children of
those whose lives were stolen yesterday to rid the world of those who
thirst only for our destruction.
As I stood on the steps of the Capitol last night, I thought of
another dark hour in our history and the haunting words of Abraham
Lincoln, who had stood there more than 100 years before and spoken
these prophetic words: ``With firmness in the right, as God gives us to
see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind
up the Nation's wounds; to care for him that has borne the battle; and
for his widow, and his orphans; to do all which may achieve and cherish
a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.''
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland).
Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Southern
Ohio, I want to express our condolences to all those who have suffered
the tragedy of the last few hours.
Many years ago, a young missionary was murdered while working in the
jungles of South Africa. Later, his parents found in his diary a
message that is appropriate for us to contemplate today. The young man
had written the following words: ``He is no fool who gives what he
cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.''
All of us are mortal. We cannot determine the length of our lives or
the circumstances of our deaths. That is true of us today as it was
true of those innocent Americans who worked in the World Trade Center
towers, and in the Pentagon, or were passengers in the hijacked
airliners yesterday morning.
As the day unfolded, they had no way of knowing the sadistic and
barbaric acts which would take their lives. They were innocent victims,
and we mourn their deaths.
But we also mourn the deaths of those who freely gave their lives
while trying to save others. We honor the firefighters, the police
officers, and the citizen volunteers who unselfishly gave what they or
none of us can forever keep. They gave their lives, and, in doing so,
they have gained what they cannot lose, will never lose, and that is
the everlasting honor, gratitude, and devotion of the American people.
Today I feel unspeakable rage for those who killed our people. But,
even more strongly, I feel the sense of pride in our country and the
goodness and the decency of our countrymen.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the distinguished chairman of our
Policy Committee.
Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, the magnitude of this tragedy is still
revealing itself. The bombings are over, but the extent of the damage,
the number of people killed, is still partially obscured to us. The
death toll in a single day may eclipse the entire toll from the Korean
War. That this war, waged by foreign enemies of the United States,
happened on American soil, makes it unique in our modern history. That
it happened on our city streets, that it targeted our national symbols,
makes it all the more unbelievable.
{time} 2245
But it is true, it happened. We are brought face to face with the
grim reality that not only do a dangerous few of our fellow human
beings hate America and what she stands for, but they are willing to
kill all of us and themselves in order to vindicate that hate.
These terrorist shock troops did not know the names of the people
they killed, they did not know the identities of the families they have
destroyed forever, and they do not care. As General Norman Schwarzkopf
said so pointedly yesterday, always, even during the Gulf War, the
United States has taken extraordinary measures to avoid civilian
casualties in its military operations. But these terrorists
intentionally target innocent men, women, and children. That, he said,
is the difference between these bastards and us.
The terrorists and the states that harbor them do not hate any of us
as individuals. They hate America; they hate our civilization. Now
civilization must defend itself. We cannot bring back the wonderful
people who perished yesterday, but we can honor their memory.
The Statue of Freedom atop this capitol stands as a beacon. It was
placed there when our Nation was torn apart by the Civil War. That war
shook the foundations of this building, but it did not undermine the
foundations of our country.
Let us honor the dead, the wounded, and the tens of thousands of the
heroes who are bringing New York and Washington back to life. Let us
defeat those who have declared war on America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time.
I rise this evening to join my colleagues in support of this
important resolution condemning the vicious, unprovoked, and tragic
attack against our country and our citizens.
Yesterday is a day that we will never forget, a day which began like
any other, but one in which our lives were changed forever as we saw
and heard about the damage and destruction of our Nation's symbols of
freedom and strength and the so very many lives that are being lost. My
heart, sympathy, and prayers, and those of all of the people of the
U.S. Virgin Islands, go out to the families and friends of those who
lost their lives in yesterday's attack and to those who were injured.
We also want to express our deep appreciation to those police,
emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and the countless others who
selflessly and quickly responded to save and protect lives and who
continue their efforts today and will do so for as long as they are
needed.
I fully support, and ask all Americans to support, our President in
his determination to identify and find those who committed these acts
and bring them to justice.
But I also want to recall for all of us the prayer of our chaplain
this morning who asked God to help us proceed free of prejudice. We
must not use this tragedy to malign or persecute innocent Arab
Americans or any other people living in this country as we learn more
about the true perpetrators of this heinous act.
Mr. Speaker, America is strong. The American people are strong. We
are a country and a people of a deep and abiding faith. With that
faith, we will face this tragedy as we have faced others before; and we
will never let the actions of those who would foster and act
[[Page H5559]]
out of hate poison our hearts; nor will we let these terrorists or any
terrorists succeed in further inflicting their evil and their hate on
us or the rest of the world.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), the distinguished chairman of the
Committee on Intelligence.
(Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, we all know what an arduous and shocking day
yesterday was. Mr. Speaker, we are experiencing direct and deep
feelings of grief and loss for the families of the victims, so many
victims there were. CeeCee Lyles of Fort Myers, Florida, in my district
was a flight attendant on one of the United Airlines flights, number
93, one of the brave Americans who called her husband, reported the
hijacking, and said good-bye. Imagine the terror of that.
Today I started my day as usual, walking to the Capitol office from
my nearby home here, and there was the Capitol dome above us, rising
beautifully, boldly, reassuringly, into a bright, blue sky and the
strong sunshine of the morning today. I thank the Lord for keeping it
safe, and the good Americans who worked to do that as well.
For a minute, it was like yesterday never happened; it was just all a
bad dream. And then we all went to work. The images, the statistics,
the reports, they are heart-wrenching.
What kind of people, if we can call them people, could think up and
carry out such fanatical and diabolical atrocities against innocent
human beings? How does hate grow so grotesquely and get channeled into
such devastation? What type of murderous leaders would advocate these
kinds of things?
Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues, this is the face of terrorism.
It is unspeakably evil; and we, the United States of America, are
confronted with it on behalf of our citizens. I have no doubt we shall
prevail. We have professionals at work who will find those responsible;
and they will protect us, as they have done so well. We have the
capability to render harmless those who have done this; and we have, I
think, the resolve of the people in our land and the leadership of our
land committed to this task.
There are so many Americans stepping forward in so many ways, doing
wonderful things to provide relief, compassionate help and aid where it
is needed, the kind word, the message of support, all of these things.
We have so many allies and friends, other nations around the world
doing the same thing. We can have freedom, and we can have security. We
will be debating those things as we go forward.
I am reminded of something that happened in Japan after Pearl Harbor
which has been referred to. There were some who said, ``We have awoken
the sleeping giant. Perhaps we have done too much.'' To those who have
done this, I say, indeed, we have woken up; you will be hearing from
us.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), my valued colleague and friend.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time, I thank my colleagues for bringing this resolution before
us.
My daughter asked me, What has happened? I could not find the words
to explain what has occurred. For on September 11, the agents of evil
and hatred have declared war against our country, seeking to use fear
as a weapon in a cowardly attack on the World Trade Center in New York
and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. These attacks were, by far, the
deadliest ever launched against the United States and, by targeting
symbols of American strength and success, clearly were intended to
intimidate our Nation and weaken its resolve. But the cowardly
perpetrators of these heinous crimes do not know America. They do not
know Americans.
For freedom is not a vulnerability; it is our strength. Throughout
our history we have met every challenge, and we will meet this one.
Make no mistake: this was an act of war against the United States and
all of our people, and we will not tolerate it. As we experience this
tragedy, I have joined, and we have all joined, the President and the
Congress and the American people in outrage. As a member of the House
Committee on Armed Services and a member of the Terrorism Panel, we
will push for action to see that the cruel people who have committed
this horrible crime and those who have sponsored them meet with justice
expeditiously.
With the fall of the Twin Towers and the devastation of the Pentagon,
Americans have lost their innocence, but America will not be defeated.
We do not know how many lives have been taken. We do not know how many
tragic stories we will be hearing. But our hearts and our prayers go
out to the many victims, to the loss of life, to the pain and the
suffering that is immeasurable. The heroic and selfless actions of
those workers, volunteers, State and local officials who responded to
the tragic events with courage and determination will not be forgotten.
Our prayers go with the victims and with everyone. God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, in the hours since yesterday morning, my
emotions and certainly those of my colleagues in Congress and, indeed,
of every American, have ranged from disbelief to shock, anger, and
sadness, and then to a determination to see that all those responsible
for this reprehensible act be brought to justice, and that we do all we
can in our society to prevent a reoccurrence.
Since the attacks, I have been deeply moved by the courage of all of
those who have been involved in the rescue efforts in New York and
Washington, as well as the individual bravery of hundreds of thousands
of everyday Americans who have lent helping hands in countless ways.
The scenes and stories of the thousands of rescuers who willingly
placed themselves in mortal danger in order to rescue survivors, which
resulted in hundreds of firemen and police officers ultimately giving
their lives in that effort, is something that will stay with me
forever. We are truly a Nation of great and heroic people.
I know that the thoughts and prayers of everyone in our Nation go out
to many people involved in this event: the victims, their families and
friends, the rescuers, those involved in the investigation and,
certainly, the President on whose shoulders now falls tremendous
responsibility. We have many difficult days ahead of us; but this
Nation is strong and, by the grace of God, we will survive and grow
stronger through this trial, as we have many times before. The
terrorists have robbed our Nation of many lives, but we will never let
them rob us of our spirit.
In closing, let me quote from former President Jerry Ford who made
these comments when he received the Congressional Gold Medal last year:
``In the course of some 86 years, I have seen more than my share of
miracles. I remain convinced that politics is a very noble calling, one
worthy of enlisting the idealisms and commitment of a young America.
History tells us that it is only a matter of time before your
generation is going to be tested, just as mine was tested by the
economic depression of the 1930s, foreign tyranny in two world wars,
and the hateful traditions of Jim Crow. To you will fall the
responsibility of crafting a political process that rises above focus
groups and sound bytes; for supplementing material prosperity with a
spiritual purpose and a spiritual goal. But, above all that is new, I
hope you never lose the old faith in an America that is bolder, freer,
and more just with every passing generation. America is a work in
progress, and all of us, past, present and future, have been or will be
the torch carriers for liberty and freedom in the 21st century.''
Let us be those torch carriers. May God bless and comfort our Nation
and all of our people.
Let us follow the path laid out by President Ford. Let us have his
hope, and let us all stand firm for our noble cause, let us be workers
for justice, and let us be torch carriers for liberty and freedom.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).
Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the caring families and
[[Page H5560]]
communities in the Eighth Congressional District, and on behalf of the
members of the Texas Task Force One, the Urban Search and Rescue Team
from Texas A&M University who were swiftly deployed to help New York, I
rise to pledge our help, our support, and our prayers.
{time} 2300
Today we come together to reinforce America's resolve, to state our
unqualified support for the President in this time of crisis.
We come here also for the very real purpose of trying to show those
dearest and nearest to the victims of yesterday's terrorist attack that
their deep sense of loss is shared by a Nation.
Of loved ones suddenly taken, we hope that in some small way we can
help further the sense of a life well fulfilled, a time on Earth well
spent, and joyous days to come in a glorious place waiting eagerly for
us; of loved ones yet to be found, we pray and hope.
Years from now, the vision of September 11, 2001, will mean something
different to every eye that sees it. It is a dark day, and to
paraphrase the poet Alfred Tennyson, the heavens must surely have
filled with shouting at the sheer evil that man plunged upon innocent
man. Here on Earth we shouted as well.
By any measure, yesterday's attack was a declaration of war on our
country, on our shores, and we must act accordingly. In the coming
days, our challenge is to aid and comfort the fallen friends while
showing the world that America is absolutely unbowed. And then, after
due diligence and without mercy, we must calmly and deliberately exact
justice from the terrorists responsible, and each complicit government.
It will not be easy. ``The times which future generations delight to
recall are not those of ease and prosperity, but of adversity bravely
borne.'' America has faced unimaginable adversity before, and we have
borne it with one voice and one power.
If Members believe in justice, believe this: America's time will
come, and those who celebrate terrorism will celebrate no more.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
during consideration of House Joint Resolution 61, pursuant to the
order of the House of earlier today, debate on the joint resolution be
extended by 30 minutes, equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and/or his designee and ranking minority member of the Committee on
International Relations.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
dear friend and distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from the
District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for
yielding time to me.
As we pray for the September 11 victims and their families, let us
remember not only what it means to work in Washington, D.C., but to
live in Washington, D.C., like the 600,000 people who call the Nation's
capital home. Many of us who serve in this House live here, too, and
the rest of us spend as much time in the District as they do in their
own districts.
The enemy knew well that the way to attack our country was to try to
attack this city. If we shift course enough to learn how to safeguard
the Nation's capital from the new terrorism, New York and the rest of
the country will not be far behind.
Understand that this will require a radical reevaluation of security
as we have known it. Just as important, it will require that we
reconcile our security with our core identity as an open, democratic
society.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson).
Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we resume the process of
moving forward. All across our great land, people are crying out for
justice. We as a Nation now know the horror and the terror that so many
in the world experience on a daily basis. The actions taken yesterday
by a few without a doubt have the sanction of many.
Where is the return of good will that the United States so generously
hands out? We, the United States of America, are the promoters of
democracy and stability, of justice and of the sanctity of human life.
Indeed, we have new fears that did not exist before. However, these
fears have brought out a new, untapped, infinite reservoir of courage
and strength never before witnessed in history.
Make no mistake, the perpetrators of this act of cowardice will be
found. We are engaged in an undeclared war against a tyranny of
historical proportions that has no face, bears no names, and yet has
many followers. The battle we wage at this moment is a battle against a
diseased and flawed philosophy that encourages the attack and the
destruction of that which is good and right.
Any one person or multiple persons that would attack our Nation, the
symbol of freedom for the world, is attacking the tenets of our liberty
and a beacon of hope for the world.
As we move forward in the days to come, we must carefully use words
such as ``safety'' and ``order,'' and we must be cautious when calling
for actions that ``need to be taken for the good of the people.'' I
encourage my colleagues to be wary of any suggested government action
that would infringe on our freedoms. Any encroachment of our civil
liberties is a victory for the perpetrators of yesterday's heinous
crimes.
We must continually bear in mind the words of Benjamin Franklin when
he had stated that ``those who would sacrifice their essential liberty
to seek a small portion of temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety.'' Freedom is not our greatest liability, it is our greatest
asset.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Neal).
Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to join all who serve in this wonderful
House on this occasion, both Democrat and Republican, to condemn in the
strongest possible terms the unimaginable and unprecedented terrorist
attacks that took place at daybreak yesterday. Not even air should
stand between the two political parties on this issue.
We are also reminded of the lyrics of that old song, ``What a
difference a day makes.'' In what represents the most serious act of
aggression on American soil in our Nation's history, a nameless and
faceless enemy launched an assault on the very foundation of our
society.
For many Americans, the memory of planes crashing into the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon will be the defining images of a
lifetime. No words can really express the feelings of shock, sorrow,
and outrage that we all feel, and we are all in the process of mourning
in our own way.
But soon we are going to desire answers to precisely what happened,
why it happened, and how we will prevent it from happening again. That,
too, is a natural response. But we also have to be patient, because we
need and want our response to be right.
Americans have been challenged before, and we will meet this
challenge as we have before. We are blessed as a people by having our
values and beliefs written into our Constitution, a wellspring to which
we repeatedly turn in times of trouble.
It is important to remember that this is the act of a small group,
and these actions cannot be blamed on any ethnic group to which they
belong. That is the foundation on which our Constitution rests, and it
is not, even on this occasion, worth giving up.
It is clear to the world that we stand united on this issue, and this
Congress will support the President as he undertakes action against
this enemy. All Congress will support these decisions on rebuilding the
devastation we feel today morally and spiritually.
We support the determination of the American people to proceed with
prosecuting those who are responsible for these actions. It is true now
and it will be true as long as it takes to bring these people to
justice.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), who is chairman of the
Subcommittee
[[Page H5561]]
on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management,
and they oversee FEMA.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time
to me.
Mr. Speaker, there are few new thoughts we can add at this hour of
the evening about our reflected thoughts of the last 36 hours, but I do
appreciate the fact that the House has made it available for every
Member who wanted to offer a thought to do so.
Aside from an expression of sincere sympathy to all those who have
lost a loved one, a prayer today for the souls of those who have
perished, and an expression of admiration and thanks to all of those
who have struggled mightily to recover and rescue people they do not
even know, I would hope that we might all take a moment to contemplate
the inhumanity of people who would commandeer four aircraft full of
innocent people, including children, with the intent to propel them
into buildings filled with thousands of other innocent people who did
nothing more than show up to work on a Tuesday morning.
These terrorists, Mr. Speaker, are not people in the accepted
understanding of the word, and the world will not be safe until they
are blotted from the face of the Earth. I have every reason and hope to
believe that this Congress is united in its commitment to provide the
President of the United States with every resource necessary to search
and recover the victims of this horrible tragedy and to search,
discover, and destroy this blight upon the human race.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of this resolution and to offer
condolences to the victims and their families of these terrorist acts.
Yesterday's attack on New York and Washington was a monstrous and
cowardly act against the entire United States and our people. It was
well-organized and cold-blooded. The world watched as an army of heroes
mobilized to help those in need at great risk and personal sacrifice.
From my home State of Wisconsin, I have heard from many who share a
common sense of grief and an outpouring of support for the victims and
their families. Millions are answering the call for blood donations.
Once again, our Nation is demonstrating that we can rise to any
challenge. We will not be defeated, and living in fear will not be an
option.
The immediate task before us is to secure the safety of our citizens,
both here and abroad, against any future attacks; to care for those
victims and their families. Then we must determine how this happened,
who is responsible, and how we bring them to justice.
Justice will not be obtained overnight. I pray for the patience of
the American people and for the patience of our President so that we
may seek the truth and hold accountable those who are responsible. It
is only through deliberate and thoughtful actions that justice is
served and future attacks prevented.
Yesterday, our age of innocence ended, just as it ended 60 years ago
at Pearl Harbor. But unlike Pearl Harbor, there is no obvious enemy.
But like Pearl Harbor, they have awakened a sleeping giant.
In the shadow of this terrorist attack, we find ourselves at the dawn
of a new era of warfare in the 21st century, one made more sinister by
the stealth, cunning, and terror. We will recover from this, but we
will never forget this. For those who mean us harm, let there be no
mistake that the United States and the rest of the civilized world will
unite together to defeat them.
We have experienced this harsh reality as no nation should ever have
to, and must work to prevent similar attacks both here and abroad.
Toward this end, we will need to develop a new international alliance
committed to identifying and rooting out terrorists groups before they
have the chance to strike.
In closing, I pray for the victims and their families; and I pray for
leadership in this country that is calm, deliberate, and just, in the
midst of fear, anger and a thirst for revenge. In short, leadership
worthy of the ideals and values that have made our country strong and
just.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), a member of
the Committee on Agriculture, and very importantly, with this debate,
the Committee on Armed Services.
(Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution.
Yesterday, our Nation suffered the most horrific act of terrorism the
world has ever seen. Make no mistake about it, a hostile act of this
magnitude should be viewed as an act of war against our Nation.
Like everyone here today, I am proud to be an American. I am proud of
our Nation today, and I am proud of the values and heritage which have
made our Nation great.
Our main government was formed on the base principle that our Creator
endowed us with the inalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. Our government is charged with ensuring these freedoms
and equal protection to us all.
Unfortunately, there is unspeakable evil alive and at work in our
world and against these principles. That evil perpetrated the terrorist
attacks against our Nation yesterday.
As we begin our new future, the world can be assured that Americans
will respond to yesterday's attacks on three important fronts.
First, we will make every effort to provide care for those who are
injured and lend comfort to those who have suffered the loss of a loved
one.
Second, we will provide all necessary intelligence and military
resources to ensure that additional terrorist attacks are stopped in
the near and long term.
Third, our government will use the full assets of our law enforcement
and intelligence communities to find the criminals who orchestrated
these attacks and all those who aided them in their effort.
Once they are found, we will act swiftly and deliberately to punish
the guilty and show the world that this type of treachery will not be
tolerated.
Our country is the brightest light of freedom the world has ever
known. The greatness of America emanates from our people, and as we
have seen throughout our Nation's history, our people respond to evil
like yesterday's acts of terrorism with greatness. May God bless,
protect, and guide America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to our
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver).
Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday America was assaulted by a carefully planned
and executed campaign of terrorism. My deepest sympathies go to those
who have been touched by this tragedy, the victims and their families,
and they include victims and families from my district and my State of
Massachusetts.
My heartfelt thanks go to the medical personnel, firefighters,
policemen, policewomen, and volunteers who have selflessly answered the
call. We are forever indebted to those heroic rescue workers who have
risked and given their lives in search of additional victims.
All of us pray that additional survivors will be rescued from the
devastation, and we must be certain that all the needed resources are
available to do that. But today we must also look toward the future. We
must ensure the safety of our citizens, the primary goal of both
military and civilian components of our government.
I support the actions already taken by the President to secure the
Nation and provide disaster relief. We must mete out punishment for the
perpetrators of this attack. Our response must be decisive but
carefully calculated. One critical goal of American force and foreign
policy must be to mobilize other nations to join together with us to
crack down on terrorism with new determination, and we must overhaul
our airport security and surveillance procedures so yesterday's
disaster cannot happen again.
{time} 2315
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California
[[Page H5562]]
(Mr. Gary G. Miller), a member of the Committee on the Budget and the
Committee on Financial Services.
(Mr. GARY G. MILLER asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in
support of House Joint Resolution 61.
As the horrific series of events unfolded yesterday, I like most
Americans watched in shock as the blatant, cowardly terrorist attacks
in New York and Washington took the lives of thousands of our fellow
citizens.
For far too long, we have stood on the sidelines while terrorist
operations around the world have stockpiled weapons, trained their
minions, and poisoned the face of the Earth with hate, death, and
destruction. We have responded only to retaliate against actions taken
directly upon our citizens and our interests.
While these actions have been warranted and severe, it has not been
enough. Yesterday's attack will be viewed as an act of war against
America.
Today, we need to console those who have lost so much. We will grieve
with our brethren who have lost husbands, wives, mothers, fathers,
daughters, and sons. We will grieve the loss of our friends and our
fellow citizens in the wake of this terrible, terrible tragedy.
However, we need to be firm in reminding our enemies, whomever they
may be, that America remains strong, intact, and ready to respond. Do
not mistake our grief and our tears as weakness or helplessness. In the
coming days and weeks, the United States will again show the fortitude,
the wherewithal, and the strength of spirit that has made our Nation
the greatest in history.
Today, I ask my fellow citizens to be patient. We will find those who
have committed this heinous travesty. They will be brought to justice.
We must now take this opportunity to send a clear message to those
who would question America's unity and perseverance. Acts of terrorism
will never go unpunished. America cannot be intimidated.
Finally, I ask everyone, each one of us, as American citizens to pray
for these victims and for their families. Reach out. Offer what you can
to help them as they grieve. Go that extra mile to ensure that those
who have survived this trauma are able to rejoin us as a united people,
and embrace that spirit that has for so long made America great.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today I stand before you with a heavy
heart in the wake of yesterday's tragedy. Our prayers go out to the
victims and their families, and we give special recognition and thanks
to all the courageous personnel and volunteers who have sacrificed to
save American lives.
In an attempt to heal the Nation during a tragic event of his time,
President Lyndon Johnson said, ``Yesterday is not ours to recover, but
tomorrow is ours to win or to lose.'' I say to the American people, we
will win tomorrow. We will stand united against terrorism and evil. We
will do everything in our power to bring all the perpetrators of these
cowardly acts of violence to justice and put in place mechanisms to
protect our citizens and this Nation from such acts in the future.
As I stand in support of this resolution, I stand with my fellow
Americans for our precious freedom, and I implore us to stand together
as one Nation. A true rainbow of diverse colors, cultures and
religions, united against evil. United together, tomorrow is ours to
win.
I also urge the American people to remember what a great leader said
just a few years ago. Jimmy Carter stated, ``We live in a time of
transition and an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of
this century. During this period, we may be tempted to abandon some of
the time-honored principles and commitments which have been proven
during difficult times of past generations. We must never yield to this
temptation. Our American values are not luxuries but necessities, not
salt in our bread but the bread itself.''
May God bless America.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono).
Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for
yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, the entire world watched as this tragedy struck. Like
most Americans, I was transfixed by the horrible drama unfolding on my
television screen when, without any warning, the foundation of my
building was rocked by the blast of the Pentagon only blocks away.
Yesterday's events shook the very heart and soul of our Nation,
regardless of whether you were close enough to feel the impact or
watching thousands of miles and a continent away. The rage and
frustration Americans shared gave way to a clear understanding that our
Nation was now at war, and this is a war like no other. Our enemy is
invisible and consumed with hate, and the acts perpetrated against
America are an assault on all civilized people.
Yesterday, the people of California's 44th district lost one of our
own. A gentle lady parishioner from Palm Springs, who gave selflessly
to help others, lost her life at the hands of cowardly and despicable
fiends. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and with the
families and loved ones of all of the victims of these heinous acts.
Before yesterday, our national security seemed a remote concern.
National polls routinely registered very little concern for national
security. Indeed, few outside of Washington paid much attention to
terrorist acts that were quietly averted nor was there much support
outside of Congress for increased funding for intelligence or national
security programs. That must, and will, change. Now, there can be no
doubt that our first priority must be the security of our people.
Today, though shaken and mournful over the loss of so many of our
fellow Americans cut down by senseless acts of violence, our will is
strengthened and our purpose is very clear. We will hunt down and
destroy these agents of evil and bring swift and terrible retribution
to those who shelter them.
Our Nation is built upon the hopes and dreams of those yearning to
live free. From the smoldering ashes of this devastation, a steely
resolve has been forged. The bonds that bind these United States will
not be broken and we will never ever forget.
God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), our valued colleague.
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in support of this very
important resolution. Yesterday, we witnessed a tragedy too devastating
to comprehend. Our hearts were broken as we watched the sanctity of the
American workplace being attacked by faceless cowards in a senseless
act of terrorism.
I say to those spineless scoundrels, America will not be intimidated.
America will not be defeated. We will gather greater resolve. We will
recapture our focus. We will renew our strength.
Throughout our Nation's history Americans have always responded to
adversity with singular commitment and boundless courage. Indeed,
America was born out of adversity.
So, tonight, we pray for every victim and every victim's family. Many
lives were lost and now only our prayers can bring the devastated
families peace.
We must acknowledge that yesterday's assault will change the way we
go about our daily business here in this Nation. We must operate under
a new, vigorous, and heightened sense of security and with continued
courage and focus.
We will, Mr. Speaker, search out every cave, look under every rock
and scrutinize every crevice on the face of the Earth until we find the
cowardly culprits who attacked and killed the innocent of our Nation.
At this time, let us stand closer and more unified against the evil
forces that threaten not only our liberty but the liberty of freedom-
loving people all around the world.
So, Mr. Speaker, tonight, to the American people, and to my
colleagues in the Congress, I quote Proverbs 3:5-6, ``Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your
ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.''
[[Page H5563]]
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly).
(Mr. GALLEGLY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in standing in strong
support of this joint resolution tonight.
I rise in strong support of this resolution that condemns the
terrorists who murdered our citizens in a planned act of war, extends
our condolences to the families and friends of the victims in these
attacks, commends the heroes who responded to the scenes of
destruction, and supports the punishment of those directly responsible
and their sponsors for these acts of war.
This is, indeed, a national day of unity and mourning. It is
important that we stand here today, as representatives of the people in
the People's House, and show our enemies we will not be bowed, that we
are strong in our resolve and that we will respond. The hijacked planes
attacked New York City and Washington, D.C., but the devastation was
wrought from coast to coast. I learned today that one of my neighbors
in Ventura County, California, lost her brother-in-law, who was a pilot
on one of the doomed aircraft. She is one of thousands of Americans
across this great land who mourn today. We owe it to the victims, their
families and to all Americans to stand strong and united in our resolve
to live in freedom and peace, to promote the same throughout the world,
and to punish those who have declared war on our soil and those who
protect and encourage them.
There will be justice.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey), a member of the
Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Financial Services.
Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution today.
The cowardly attack on innocent Americans yesterday is the worst
assault on our country and our freedom in our Nation's history. I think
we all feel this attack very personally, and we will all keep the
victims and their families in our prayers.
As many have said, this was an attack on freedom itself, and we
cannot allow the evil, cowardly terrorists responsible to win. We must
take whatever measures, commit whatever resources necessary to find the
people responsible for this atrocity and bring them to justice, and we
must also hold fully accountable any country or group which aided or
harbored these terrorists in any way whatsoever.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, we must take a new approach to fighting
terrorism, a proactive, aggressive, and comprehensive approach. It is
no longer sufficient to treat these terrorists as ordinary criminals,
waiting for them to act and then attempting to apprehend them and
convict them of crimes.
We know several large, sophisticated, determined terrorist
organizations who have declared war against the United States and have
demonstrated the ability and intent to carry out acts of terrorism
against America, including yesterday's atrocities. These barbarians are
worse than criminals. They are enemies in a war that they have launched
unprovoked against the United States.
It is time for this Congress, our Federal Government, our Nation to
engage in this war against these organizations to find them, to destroy
them, and to ensure that attacks like yesterday's never happen again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for
yielding me the time.
My friends, yesterday the story was about terrorism, horrible acts,
despicable acts conducted by a few crazed individuals who gave their
lives to take the lives of others. But let the story tonight and
tomorrow and the days to come be not about terrorism but about heroism,
the heroism of hundreds who gave their lives to save the lives of
others.
The firefighters who raced into that burning building knowing full
well that it would likely collapse on them and take their lives. The
police and rescue squads who raced to the scene in the hopes of saving
people who were killed in the rubble. Passengers on that jet, who by
their heroic acts may have saved the lives of the people in this
building this evening and yesterday. The volunteers who raced to the
scene to see if they could help in some way. The heroism of our Armed
Forces, on alert even as we speak. The heroism of our staffs who came
to work today knowing full well that they too are targets.
We are speaking tonight for those who lost their lives and cannot
speak. We are also speaking for the hundreds of thousands of
constituents we represent, but more than that, we are speaking for the
oldest constitutional democratic republic on the history of this Earth;
and we say to those who would attack this great Nation, who would
attack our freedom, you will never succeed. You will never succeed.
Even if you had managed to destroy this majestic building and even if
you had killed each and every one of us, others would rise in our
place, others would lift our torch of liberty and defend our people and
our freedoms. This Nation will persevere and the light of liberty will
continue to burn brightly forever.
Let each American today and in the weeks to come fly the American
flag proudly from their homes and their businesses and their cars and
wherever else. Let us show the world America is united, that freedom
will persevere, and that terrorism will never succeed.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), a member of the
Committee on Rules.
Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for
yielding.
By noon on yesterday, I was thinking about a wonderful book I read
many years ago by Alan Paton. It was entitled Cry the Beloved Country.
On Tuesday we cried, too. We cried for different reasons than Alan
Paton, but we too cried for our beloved country.
The acts of the terrorists on that unbelievable day were acts of
ultimate violation on a society that is so open and so free that even
they could travel unrestrained among us.
{time} 2330
When the prayers are said, when the tears are dried, when the bodies
are buried, we must remember always. The war against terrorism has been
engaged in only casually for the past 30 years. Now we must get serious
and win it. There are only two sides in this war. To those who believe
there is neutral ground, we must say that belief put them on the side
of the enemy; and we will punish those with such beliefs.
To those who believe that they can quietly harbor and help the
terrorists, we must say they are the enemy; and our military will bring
our enemies to their knees.
To those who commit these unspeakable acts of war, we will find those
individuals and kill them. I am not without hope. Eugene McCarthy once
observed that America can choke on a gnat, but swallow tigers whole.
Mr. Speaker, I have listened for 2 days to the Members of this body.
This is the tiger we were sent here to deal with, and we will. There
will be no lack of resolution here. There will be no rancor. We will
stand behind the President and do what our Nation must do both here and
abroad. We must end the time when radicals can inflict pain, suffering
and death on innocent citizens without recourse.
We must end the ability for nation states to see no evil, hear no
evil, and speak no evil, even while living in evil's midst. America has
been changed forever through this tragedy. It falls upon us to rebuild
the confidence in our society that this great Nation will not cower,
that we will be safe again, that freedom works.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).
(Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution along with my
colleagues.
We must act, not just speak. Action is our Nation's heavy burden
tonight.
Let us began first, care for the wounded, rescue any survivors, bury
the dead, heal New York and begin to rebuild the Pentagon.
Second, think and work to prevent further immediate attacks on our
people and infrastructure of all kinds.
Finally, determine who is responsible for these attacks and for past
acts that have gone
[[Page H5564]]
unpunished and make them pay their debt to this country. Avoid harm to
innocent people but pursue justice for those who have lost their lives.
We can do no less.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Becerra).
Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise, as has my country, to pray for
loved ones, to embrace our valiant rescuers, and to condemn the heinous
and cowardly acts of abject terrorism that we witnessed yesterday. We,
the American family, have lost fathers, mothers and sons, our brother
the firefighter, our sister the police officer.
Mr. Speaker, Carolina, my wife and I, extend our sincere condolences
to all who have suffered a loss, and our hearts and prayers are with
those yet to be saved but for whom the candle of hope remains lit.
To Clarisa, Olivia, and Natalia, my three daughters, and to all of
the children of America, how do we explain this barbarous act of
terrorism? I will not try to make sense of it. That is not possible;
but from my words and deeds, from the way our country prosecutes this
unconscionable crime, I hope they will remember and learn how this
country lives and breathes its freedom and relentless search for
justice. Perhaps then as our children grow older and wiser, they will
be better prepared to preserve life and defend America's values.
Mr. Speaker, Godspeed to the heroes who rushed to the disaster to aid
victims and, instead, became victims. Godspeed to the courageous and
tireless rescuers who work as we speak, temper our sorrow with pride
and redemption, strength our resolve.
And Godspeed, Mr. Speaker, to our government as one Nation, as an
American family, for with us reside the power given by the people to
vigorously prosecute this horrendous and unforgivable crime to its end.
Justice, democracy, and the will of a freedom-loving people demand no
less. Let us represent the people well.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), a member of the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today is a day of words, words of
outrage at the unspeakable horrors of yesterday; but we know that words
cannot provide the bond to heal those wounds; but by our words we
extend our arms and embrace the injured and the families of the dead.
Yes, today is a day of words; but tomorrow is a day of action.
Mr. Speaker, for those who committed these crimes, they do not even
begin to know what they have unleashed. Perhaps they look at the United
States and see us argue with each other along political, regional or
racial lines, and believe that we are weak and divided; but they are
wrong. We are a large family that can fuss and fight, but we are still
family.
Yesterday, terrorists came into our front yard and murdered innocent
members of our family. By that action, the terrorists shocked our
conscience. But that shock is certainly turning into a growing rage.
Terrorists and those who aid and abet them around the world, they are
about to learn that hell hath no fury like American anger.
Mr. Speaker, I propose that this Congress add a provision to every
foreign operations appropriations bill that requires that any Nation or
organization before they receive any penny of American money must be
certified by the President that they have fully cooperated in
apprehending these murderers, and that they have further cooperated in
fighting terrorism around the world.
If this was done in the name of religion, do not mistake the fact
that we call ourselves a Christian Nation as a signal of weakness.
Perhaps we have followed the New Testament admonition of turning the
other cheek in the past when terrorists have bombed our ships and
embassies; but today we turn to the Old Testament and read the phrase,
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Mr. Speaker, since we are speaking in religious terms, let me close
by saying to these criminals, using an old Southern religious phrase,
you have hell to pay.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The Chair would advise the
managers that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has 19\1/2\
minutes remaining. The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) has 2
minutes remaining.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney).
Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I join Americans everywhere today and
tonight, as well as my colleagues here, in expressing our sorrow and
sympathy and condolences to every family and friend who has experienced
a loss as a result of what went on in yesterday's tragedies. And,
unfortunately, there were those in my district who suffered loss, and
our hearts go out to all of them this evening.
Mr. Speaker, in the face of this trauma, the American character of
resolve has shown itself. Untold numbers of citizens have participated
in rescue and medical efforts, while others have joined together to
comfort victims and their families. Lives have been lost, but lines
have been formed as people line up to give blood, and everywhere men
and women and boys and girls reach out to help those who are hurt, and
that effort will continue.
Congress and the President have pledged to work together; and they
are going to work together to meet the challenges and work with
essential agencies, and every effort will be made to further rescue,
further medical treatments, to support victims and families of victims
and to address the enhancement of our security throughout this country
as we move forward into the future and to identify and hold accountable
those responsible for these despicable, cowardly acts.
Although everyone continues to experience competing emotions of
sorrow and anger and frustration, we are going to refuse to allow these
acts to rob us of the values we have as citizens. We will not tolerate
these acts against our people or our country, but we shall exercise
patience so we rightfully identify anyone responsible for these acts;
and once we have done that, then it will be our duty to execute strong
and certain recourse.
Mr. Speaker, we have the ability and the wherewithal as people to
meet these challenges; we have met so many challenges in the past. As
we do that, we shall not allow our emotions to override our values as
people and as citizens. Our civil liberties and those of all Americans,
together with our own sense of justice, will not be abandoned lest we
tender to terrorists the victory they have not achieved and they do not
deserve.
Certainly our lives have now changed, but still our resolve is
enforced by the memory of the victims, by their families, and their
bravery and selflessness of those who marched into danger to try to be
of help. They inspire us as we move forward.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), a senior member of the
Committee on International Relations, the Committee on Intelligence,
and chairman of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and
Trade.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, it has been an extraordinary afternoon and
evening here in the House, and I am moved to comment upon the
sentiments that have been expressed: strong comments, high-minded
comments, and deeply felt sentiments. I can and do associate myself
with all those remarks.
I know we are all very proud of the individual examples of heroism
and bravery on the part of so many Americans, and we certainly I think
all sense a degree of unity and resolve that we have not seen perhaps
since 1941.
As a member of the Committee on Intelligence 6 years previous and now
again as vice chairman since January, I can tell, Mr. Speaker, we have
had in the intelligence community many examples of successes against
terrorism directed at our homeland.
But the inadequacies and the failures of our intelligence are
available for all to see. The successes we do not talk about.
I recall when I visited General Schwarzkopf's headquarters 4 days
after the end of the Persian Gulf war, he reminded us there is never
enough intelligence for our field commanders and for our civilian
leaders.
We face a whole new range of asymmetrical threats against the United
States, including terrorism directed at our civilian population. So now
we have reached the point where all of our great rhetoric must be
matched by actions. Many Members here this afternoon and evening have
ended their
[[Page H5565]]
comments with the words ``God bless America.'' That is most assuredly
appropriate, but I think we might also ask God for the wisdom
collectively to know what is best for our country and then the resolve
and courage to do it. We certainly must match the qualities and the
expectations of the people we represent.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, owing to the unprecedented
participation in today's debate, we have had over 120 Republican
Members who have participated and I am sure the number is similar on
the side of the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos); and owing to
the fact that the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Armey), said every Member who wants to participate would be entitled to
do so, I understand, if my information is correct, on the Democratic
side there are approximately 12 more Members waiting to speak. We have
four more as of now.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during consideration of
H.J. Res. 61, pursuant to the order of House of earlier today, debate
on the joint resolution be extended an additional 30 minutes, equally
divided and controlled by the chairman of the Committee on
International Relations or his designee and the ranking minority
member.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution. Yesterday our shores, our security, and our sense of
ourselves as a Nation suffered a heinous cowardly attack, a blatant act
of war that demands a like response.
Innocent American men, women, and children in civilian airplanes were
used and converted into the deadly missiles that destroyed thousands of
people in our most important centers of military and economic
enterprise. The terror of those moments cannot cow us. They must only
serve to steel and solidify our resolve.
{time} 2345
From the stretches of the Rio Grande to the reaches of the Great
Lakes, from the shorelines in the Pacific to every skyscraper on our
eastern shore, compassionate and disciplined American men and women
will do what is necessary, search for our survivors in the rubble at
the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,
care for our wounded, volunteer to donate blood, reach out and comfort
the grieving, ensure our school children of their safety, and do our
Nation's business in State and Federal Government buildings, in banks,
in the fields, and in factories.
The quiet determination of American resolve will grow. The message
and the action must be clear. America is a Nation of law, and the
lawless terrorists behind this attack on our Nation must be punished
and brought to their knees. America is a Nation of peace, but peace
will be defended from those who make war. We have the intelligence, the
technology and the will to pursue our enemies and put an end to their
illusions of invulnerability. We will find them.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) who is a member of the
Committee on Resources as well as the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
resolution. While the terrorists crashed their planes here on the East
Coast, the emotional wreckage is strewn across our Nation. From New
York City to Dalles, Oregon, families are grieving tonight over the
loss of loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were
harmed or killed by this horrific but cowardly act of terrorism. They
and their families have our deepest sympathies. Our prayers go to those
brave men and women who even tonight are risking their lives to save
the lives of others.
September 11 is indelibly scarred in the soul of our country as a day
when terrorists who have no conscience, who have no decency, challenged
our very freedom and independence. Those who challenge America and harm
her citizens through acts of terrorism shall be hunted down and
annihilated. Let the world know that those countries that give aid or
safe harbor to such terrorists shall incur our wrath also. They share
fully in the responsibility of the actions of the terrorists whom they
supported.
America is a patient Nation. We are a tolerant people. But our
patience and our tolerance have run out. The wolf is rising in our
hearts. Our Nation's great strength comes from our freedom and our
independence. And we will defend our way of life. Our Nation's great
sense of purpose comes from its people. And we will defend our
citizens. We will beef up our security, we will enhance our
intelligence gathering, and we will make America safe and free again.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend and distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter).
(Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to include extraneous
material.)
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time. I would like to paraphrase an editorial from Toronto that I
think we really ought to hear. It was written by a man named Gordon
Sinclair who is the voice that we always hear on a program called As It
Happens.
This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the
most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the
Earth. Germany, Japan and to a lesser extent Britain and Italy were
lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured billions of
dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is
today even paying interest on the remaining debts it owes to the United
States.
When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans
who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on
the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit
distant streets and cities, it is the United States that hurries in to
help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes.
Nobody helped.
The Marshall Plan and the Truman policy pumped billions of dollars
into discouraged countries, and now newspapers in those countries are
whining and writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.
Why does no other land on Earth even consider putting a man or woman
on the Moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios.
You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. But you talk
about American technocracy and you find men on the Moon, not once but
several times, and safely home again.
You talk about scandals, and Americans put theirs right in the store
window for everyone to look at. Even their draft dodgers are not
pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets in Canada, and most
of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American
dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down
through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central Railroad went broke,
nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.
I can name you 5,000 times when Americans raced to the help of other
people in trouble. Can you name even one time when someone else raced
to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even
during the San Francisco earthquake.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I am tired of hearing them get
kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high.
And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands
that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada will never
be one of those.
Stand proud, America.
I think we need to hear that. It does us a little good to remember
who we are.
On the morning of September 11, our nation experienced a tragedy of
unspeakable proportions. Four commercial passenger jets were hijacked
with devastating consequences. Thousands of people are known or
presumed to be dead, and thousands more have been injured.
We are all brokenhearted over the needless loss of life that has
occurred. Too many beloved spouses, parents, siblings, and children
[[Page H5566]]
had their futures snatched away by madmen. Scores of firefighters,
police officers, and rescue personnel were lost when their dedication
drove them to the scene and into the damaged buildings to help the
victims. These men and women are national heroes.
As time passes, more stories of heroism will emerge--people who put
their own lives at risk in order to aid others. I am astounded and very
proud to have heard how many people stayed calm in the midst of chaos.
Time and again, we heard how perfect strangers reached out to help each
other survive and escape. In the worst of circumstances, the very best
in these people emerged.
I am deeply proud, as a New Yorker, of the great strength and courage
showed by the people of this city and state and their leaders. The
mayor and other local leaders were on the scene, demonstrating that
they would not submit to terror. The outpouring of support, volunteers,
and donations from around the city, state, and nation are a testament
to the fundamental generosity and greatness of spirit found in New
Yorkers and, indeed, in all Americans.
If these terrorists believed that they could intimidate America with
these despicable acts, they are very, very wrong. As Americans, we
pride ourselves on being tough and resilient, even defiant. These
heinous crimes will only stiffen our resolve never to bend in the face
of terrorist threats. We will find the people responsible for these
crime, and they will pay a heavy price.
As Members of Congress, we have returned to the Capitol today to
conduct the business of the nation. We are hard at work, and we will
get the job done.
As a demonstration of solidarity, I have asked all of my constituents
to fly the American flag. America shall not be bowed. We will stand
strong before this act of unspeakable cowardice, and we shall prevail.
God bless America.
Volunteers Prepare For N.Y.C.'s Call
(Liz Foran and Greg Livadas)
While medical personnel and Red Cross volunteers prepared
to travel to New York City to help at the World Trade Center,
hundreds of other local people waited in line for up to eight
hours yesterday to replenish blood supplies.
``I figured they were going to need all the help they could
get,'' said Irondequoit resident Carolyn McMahon, who went to
the Prince Street donation center yesterday.
Three local Rural/Metro Medical Services ambulances and
more than a dozen local staff members planned to leave
Rochester at 3 a.m. Today to be in New York City by 11 a.m.,
spokesman Darrell Grigg said.
``We don't even know where in New York City we're going,''
he said. ``We will be unsure what we'll be doing, whether
assist in rescue and recovery, helping emergency services
within the city or being involved in the operations in
transferring some of the stable patients to hospitals in the
area.''
Rochester Fire Capt. Pete Rizzo, part of a statewide Urban
Search and Rescue Team, left yesterday for New York City to
assist officials there while area firefighters, medics,
morticians and social workers readied teams.
``I'm a little bit apprehensive, but I'm really glad I can
step in and help,'' said Michael Rood, director of the
Salvation Army's William Booth Haven men's shelter and a
social worker.
Rood and seven other Salvation Army social workers will
travel to Syracuse for advanced training in anticipation of a
call for help from New York.
Rochester Fire Capt. Daniel McBride said dozens of local
firefighters are ready to help firefighters in New York City
should there be the need.
``I would go down in a heartbeat,'' McBride said. ``There's
a tremendous need I hear unconfirmed reports of over 200
firefighters unaccounted for. They've taken a big hit.''
Those without specialized training found other ways to
help--mainly by donating blood.
Area blood donations centers extended hours until 10 p.m.
yesterday and tonight.
Sybil Miller, spokes-women for the American Red Cross blood
Services for the New York-Penn Region, said about 1,000 pints
of blood from the region, which includes Rochester, will be
sent to New York City.
``We have earmarked half of our local supply to be sent to
New York a soon as they say they need it,'' Miller said.
Officials at New York City's largest blood donation center
said they could run out of O-negative blood by late
yesterday. They had only 40 pints of O-negative left
yesterday afternoon.
The need for blood may be just as great locally, as
hospitals prepare for the possibility of receiving patients
transferred from inundated New York City hospitals.
``I really don't know what to expect,'' said Monroe County
health director Dr. Andrew Doniger, who expects to know more
today.
Area hospitals have cleared beds and assessed their surgery
schedules for the coming days in preparation, Doniger said.
He added that the many hospitals downstate, and in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, would have to be overwhelmed
first before upstate hospitals would be called in to help.
Area hospitals and the Medical Society of Monroe County
have also assembled lists of physicians who would be willing
to volunteer at hospitals in New York City and Washington,
D.C.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy), a member of the Committee on
Agriculture and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
the resolution today. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have
lost their loved ones in the recent atrocious and cowardly acts. Our
spirits are lifted by the countless acts of courage and heroism and for
those that have sacrificed their lives for others. To some, we appeared
weak yesterday. Yet as we gathered together to pray under the Capitol
dome just minutes ago, I am reminded of Paul's words to the
Corinthians, ``When I am weak, then I am strong.''
In my own life, I have repeatedly found that it is only when I am
weak, by surrendering my own will to God's will, that I am strong.
America itself has repeatedly shown that when it appears weak, it is
strong. We need only to look to the example of Pearl Harbor. I have
great confidence that under God's guidance, America will rise from this
moment of apparent weakness and again serve as a strong beacon of hope
and liberty to the world.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my
good friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Bentsen).
(Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, like all the Members here and like all
Americans, I was shocked and quite frankly stunned at the actions that
occurred yesterday. As we look at the news and the video of the actions
over and over again, it is just unbelievable that America and Americans
could suffer this type of attack, this cruel, cowardly, dastardly
attack of terrorists.
As a young man, I spent some time in New York and I have been in and
out of the World Trade Center more times than I can remember. I know
some of those firms that are there. I do not think I know anybody who
is working there or was working there. I hope I do not know anybody who
was still there. But it is unbelievable to me that this attack on
America's power and prestige could have taken place. But what is also
unbelievable is the response of the American people here at the
Pentagon, the American people in New York, responding to it. The
firefighters, the police, the people that went back into the buildings,
the people who gave their lives who did not have to. The collateral
damage was the flesh and blood of Americans. But the collateral damage
was not and should not be the American ideal.
As we resolve to move forward and to show the terrorists, whoever
they may be, that we will strike back, and that we will continue to
prosper and to grow and be the greatest Nation in the history of the
Earth, we must not lose the American ideal. That was preserved
yesterday in the carnage that occurred by this cowardly, dastardly
attack. We must not forget. And we should not allow our fellow
Americans who died yesterday to die in vain.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Minnesota, (Mr. Gutknecht), a member of
the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on the Budget, and the
Committee on Science.
Mr. GUTKNECHT. I thank the gentleman for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, every generation faces its own challenge. We in our day
met ours on Tuesday morning. Our ancestors looked squarely into the
ugly face of Naziism and of communism. They knew that the future of all
they held dear counted on them. They understood the stakes. They met
the challenge. They prevailed. And the world is better for it. The
``ism'' that we must defeat is terrorism. We will bury our dead, we
will comfort the wounded, we will rebuild those buildings. But if we
fail to defeat this enemy, all of our burying and building will be in
vain. The attacks against innocent Americans were acts of war. The
souls of the victims cry out. They cry out a warning. If we fail to
defeat terrorism, there will be more attacks, and more victims. We must
commit ourselves to a total war.
Clauschwitz said that the goal of any military encounter is to
destroy the enemy's will to fight. This must be our goal. We must
destroy their will to advance their agenda through terror. We
[[Page H5567]]
must raise the price of practicing terror so high that generations to
come will gag at the very thought.
There have been many times in our Nation's history when our
adversaries have miscalculated the steely resolve in the American
spirit. They miscalculate us now. The war that we must confront will
not be easy. There will be dark days. We may not win every battle. But
we will and we must wage the war with valor and with vigor. We must
and, with the grace of God, we will prevail.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my valued
friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Rivers).
Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Speaker, today America is defined by emotions, grief,
disbelief and rage. Our hearts ache for the victims of the senseless
violence unleashed on New York City and Washington, D.C. These victims
who became targets simply by arriving for work or getting on an
airplane touch us deeply. These were ordinary people, doing ordinary
things, and yet they found themselves consumed by a maelstrom of evil.
Americans of every color, ethnicity, religion and political perspective
have joined together to comfort grieving families, to condemn
yesterday's barbaric and inexcusable acts, and with a single voice to
cry out for justice. But our search for justice must be pursued
carefully. We must guard against a rage that turns blind. We must
direct our full fury toward the perpetrators of this great evil along
with those who give them aid and comfort. But we must act with informed
certainty and punish only the guilty, not those who simply look like
them or have similar surnames or live near them.
Additionally, as we consider legislation to address this crisis, each
proposal must be passed before the great lens of our Constitution, the
cornerstone of our Republic and our freedoms. Americans will be scarred
by the assault that took place just hours ago, but we will go on. Our
people, and our democracy, are resilient. While America has many faces,
she has but a single soul. We are a free people with a love of liberty
and a history of generosity and compassion. We will join hands with
other Americans and with those international allies who feel as we do
about this hideous affront to the civilized world.
Edmund Burke said nearly 300 years ago, ``When bad men combine, the
good must associate. Else they will fall, one by one.''
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture, and Technology.
Mr. THUNE. I thank the gentleman for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. The
casualty numbers keep mounting in New York and at the Pentagon. I had
the chance this evening to see, Mr. Speaker, up close the wreckage.
Pictures really do not do it justice. They do not capture the
destruction, because it is much more gripping in real life. Like many
Americans, as I viewed the pictures from a distance on television, it
was hard to fully capture the horror and the terror that befell people
working in New York and at the Pentagon. Yet after seeing it up close,
you cannot help but be struck by the realization that somebody's
father, somebody's mother, somebody's brother, somebody's daughter is
not coming home. I cannot comprehend the pain that these families will
deal with.
{time} 0000
So I say to the people of New York and the people of Virginia and
Maryland and D.C., that the people of South Dakota grieve with you and
support you. In past disasters, you have been there for us. We will be
there for you, and we are praying for you.
The people of South Dakota stand with our President, President Bush,
in protecting and defending American citizens and American freedoms. We
are a people who deeply value freedom, and yesterday's acts of
terrorism were an assault on those freedoms. And war was not declared
just on this Nation, but on the entire free world, because free nations
cannot abide the companionship of the kind of hatred that prompted the
murderous acts that we witnessed yesterday.
We will respond. And to the terrorists, those who prey on weakness,
those terrorist bullies who committed these acts, we will face you with
strength. You can run, but you cannot hide. We are coming after you. We
will find you, and there will be a reckoning.
God bless America, and God bless the American people.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).
Mr. FRANK. Mr. Speaker, endless repetition is sometimes the bane of
this place, but today and tonight it has served an important purpose.
It demonstrates the resolve transcending every difference in our
society, partisan, ideological, racial, regional, and religious, to
demonstrate to the perpetrators of this monstrous act that they are
terribly wrong in thinking that democracy is a source of weakness.
We are unanimous in our resolve to demonstrate to them and to anyone
else who doubts it that democracy remains a source of great strength.
We will do that by waging a just war on this murderous gang, and on any
governments that have been supportive of them. But we will do it in a
way that will show not simply our physical superiority, but our moral
superiority, because we will maintain a respect for innocent life that
this gang showed no respect for.
We will do it by showing that, in a democracy, we decide our public
policies by the deliberative process; and no effort to blackmail or
terrorize us into changing what this country decides is in our best
interests, domestically or internationally, is going to work. If
anything, it will backfire. And we will do it by fully empowering our
security forces, who did such a wonderful job yesterday in the face of
terrible adversity, to defend ourselves internally and externally in a
way that is both effective and fully consistent with our own democratic
traditions.
Let me make explicit what a number of us have said: our fight, our
war, is with the murderous fanatics who perpetrated this act. It is not
with all followers of the Islamic religion, it is not with people of
Arab descent who live in this country or elsewhere.
We have the capacity as the greatest and strongest democracy in the
history of the world to concentrate our resources in self-defense, both
in the immediate sense against these murderers and in the future to
protect ourselves in a way that will once again make people understand
the strength of democracy.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood), a member of
the Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, my eloquent colleagues have talked about
this terrible act and what has been perpetrated on our soil and our
people and the innocent casualties that are mounting every day. Our
hearts go out to all those that have lost their families and been
wounded, especially the emergency responders that were doing their job
and had the building come down around them and kill them. We have
talked about this. We had a prayer vigil tonight. We have prayed about
it.
Mr. Speaker, the time for talk and the time for prayer, however
important, is behind us. Now is the time to act. We need to react to
these terrorists with overwhelming force. We need them to understand
that this can never happen again.
God bless the Americans that we have lost, and God bless America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend, the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
(Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, our American revolutionary soldiers traipsed
through the snow 225 years ago, and it was noted that their tracks
could be found by the blood in the snow. Thomas Paine said, ``These are
the times that try men's souls.''
September 11, 2001, tried our Nation's soul. And just as the British
underestimated those soldiers 225 years ago, these cold-blooded
culprits have badly underestimated the United States' steel resolve.
[[Page H5568]]
Last night, I went to the Pentagon; and at midnight, I looked up at
our fortress where our military stays and saw a building collapsed like
a marshmallow accordion by these terrorist acts.
I looked behind me and the only inspiration of that day occurred then
when I saw an army of Americans behind me, lit up by the lighting,
people in the medical profession, excavators, FBI teams picking up
small pieces of the airplane. That is what Lincoln talked about, the
better angels of our nature.
But our history and legacy is not just about goodness and fairness;
it is about force, and it is about justice. Quoting John Paul Jones,
``We have not yet begun to fight.'' When we identify these people, we
will track them over hills and valleys and up mountain tops, and they
will get their just due. You can count on it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce).
Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable chairman for
yielding me time.
Today, first and foremost, our hearts go out to the victims and
families affected by yesterday's sad and shocking attacks. The stories
of tragedy and the compelling stories of heroism that have begun to
emerge from the smoke and the shattered buildings will forever be a
part of this black day that has been burned into our national memory.
But let these days that follow be remembered not just for our sadness
and anger, but for our national resolve. As a Nation, we must now pull
together to overcome this vicious attempt to break our national spirit.
Those responsible for yesterday's horrific events have seriously
miscalculated the strength and resolve of Americans. Our sense of
security may be temporarily unsteadied, but our unity is emboldened.
Our bonds of liberty, our bonds of freedom, our bonds of democracy are
stronger and run deeper than any individual, than any building, than
any monument, and no act of violence, no knives or sharpened razors,
can ever sever them. We will not be intimidated by these cowards.
We will remain committed until those responsible learn the steep cost
of taking innocent lives, innocent American lives, on American soil.
The flame of liberty remains bright and will continue to shine upon the
world, casting deep into the dark shadows of violence, intolerance and
extremism. There will be no corner on this Earth where the demons of
September 11 will be safe from justice.
For now, we must go on with our daily lives, because to do otherwise
would be giving into the evil behind these events. In our schools and
offices, in our neighborhoods and churches, we must help our families,
our friends and our neighbors begin the healing process.
I urge my fellow Americans to donate blood, to volunteer, to offer
their prayers and their assistance to help those in need.
As America recovers, we will also pursue our attackers and fight on.
Mr. Speaker, we are at war with the most vicious, most cowardly and
most wicked enemy we have ever faced as a Nation. But America will not
go gentle into that good night. For those we have lost and for the
future of our Nation and the freedom we hold dear, we will strive, we
will persevere, and we will prevail.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and valued colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time
as I rise to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, when the President spoke last night, he spoke for all
Americans when he said terrorist attacks can shake great buildings, but
cannot shake the foundations of American democracy. We stand with the
President when he says those countries which harbor terrorists must
share the responsibility for their acts with those who commit them.
We stand united in our grief for the families who have lost loved
ones. We pray for those who still do not know the fate of their loved
ones.
And we stand ready to help, as best we can, those emergency personnel
who are looking for survivors and are undertaking the grim task of
recovery.
Finally, we stand together, literally together, on the floor of this
House, where the work of this great Nation continues. People across the
Nation, people here in Congress, have lined up to give blood and to
make other kinds of donations. We will show terrorists and would-be
terrorists that while you can strike at us, you cannot subdue the
strength and spirit of this great country, a strength and spirit that
lies within each of us.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass).
(Mr. BASS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the pending resolution.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), the very distinguished chairman of
the Committee on Agriculture.
Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, we pray for and extend our sympathies to
those who have lost friends and loved ones. We commend and celebrate
those who are working day and night to serve the injured and the
harmed. This is American resolve at its best, and it is this resolve
that should shake the souls of those responsible for this act.
Yesterday, they hit us hard and they hurt us terribly. They watch as
we pick up the pieces, as we bandage our wounds, and as we bury our
dead. They joy in our pain, they relish in our losses.
And they made a big mistake, and they should get prepared, for they
are about to feel our pain.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Smith) has 18\1/2\ minutes remaining, and the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos) has 1 minute remaining.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, will my good friend request additional time?
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend,
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Ferguson).
Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, just moments ago, I arrived back here in Washington from
my home State of New Jersey, where I spent the day visiting hospitals
and Red Cross centers and, finally this evening, an interfaith prayer
service in one of our communities.
While we will send a very clear message with our vote tonight in this
House that the unbelievable and tragic and cowardly violence of the
last 24 or 36 hours will not stand, Americans in New York and New
Jersey and across this Nation have already begun to send that signal
through their heroism, through their acts of bravery, through their
selfless giving of their time and their energy, of their blood.
Americans across this Nation have already begun to send a very clear
message, not only that we will go out and track down and punish the
perpetrators of these heinous acts, but that we as a Nation will
continue to stand in solidarity with one another, to make sure that we
as a people, as human beings, will never let this stand. Not on our
soil.
{time} 0015
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for
time, but I would just note to the membership that, again, pursuant to
the majority leader's statement that every Member who wants to speak on
this vital issue will have that opportunity, my understanding is that
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) has six additional speakers,
so I would like to again ask unanimous consent that during
consideration of H.J. Res. 61, pursuant to the order of the House of
earlier today, debate on the joint resolution be extended for an
additional 30 minutes, equally divided and controlled by the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on International
Relations.
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear that we have no additional requests for
time, and we intend on yielding back to expedite these proceedings.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New Jersey?
[[Page H5569]]
There was no objection.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Smith) for his courtesy.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), my friend and neighbor and my
distinguished colleague.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
I rise today in strong support of this resolution. On behalf of my
constituents in the 37th Congressional District in California, I offer
condolences and prayers and support for the families and loved ones of
New York, the State of California, and across this Nation devastated by
the wanton terrorism perpetrated on these United States of America.
This cowardice act against our Nation is permanently etched in the
memories of all Americans.
As I think about my grandchildren, Ayanna, Myles, Ramia and Blair, I
think about the psychological toll it has taken on our children who
suffer from the ills of this heinous crime that is devastating.
However, let it be known that the President and the Members of Congress
who stand in this hallowed Chamber shoulder to shoulder will move with
swift deliberation to bring justice and to restore confidence to the
American people. Our buildings are shattered, but not our resolve, not
our democracy.
Yet in the face of this unspeakable tragedy, we thank our
firefighters, law enforcement officers, the Red Cross, FEMA, and
numerous volunteers for their quick response, daring courage, and
unrelenting commitment. Their noble service is immeasurable.
As a senior Member who serves on the House Subcommittee on Aviation,
I pledge to the American people that I will work with the Secretary of
Transportation and the FAA, with whom I have met, to make sure that air
travel is safe to fly again. We must applaud our air traffic
controllers and the ground crew at airports across this Nation who
directed over 2,200 flights from the hostile airways to safe harbors.
Mr. Speaker, this has been a tragic moment here in America. We will
think back on September 11 as the deadliest assault on America in
recent history, but we shall move with resolve to bring the responsible
people to justice. We are a united America.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson), my friend and valued
colleague.
Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time.
Mr. Speaker, in the early 1800s, Percy Bysshe Shelley penned these
words in exhorting a wounded people of his day: ``Rise like lions after
slumber in invanquishable number. Shake your chains to earth like dew
which in sleep had fallen on you. Ye are many, they are few.''
Mr. Speaker, when I reflect on the events of September 11, 2001,
these words of this 19th century poet come to mind. Many Americans have
lamented that the horrific terrorist acts of yesterday have changed
America forever. I beg to differ. America has not changed. We have
merely rediscovered and rekindled a latent attribute that defines us as
no other people on Earth: our invanquishable spirit. The chains that we
are shaking to Earth like the morning dew after slumber are the chains
of complacency regarding our vulnerability toward terrorism. With this
realization, there can be no doubt that we will defeat the evil that
shook, but that did not shatter, our national spirit.
Mr. Speaker, my heart grieves for the victims of yesterday's
terrorist acts, for their families and loved ones. But, Mr. Speaker,
amidst this palpable grief, I am comforted, as these families should
be, by the fact that they now have an extended family of some 250
million people, 250 million men, women and children, united and strong
as lions rising after a slumber.
Finally, I am also heartened by the response from the world
community, from virtually every nation and every people, a response of
unity with our Nation. This response further illustrates the truth of
Shelley's observations as expressed through his poetry. We, the people
of the world, they are saying, cherish the freedom and democracy for
which America stands. We are the many, they are saying with us, the
terrorists are the few. So not only will America rise from this
unspeakable tragedy like lions, we can be assured that so much of the
rest of the world is ready to rise in its exalted purpose with us.
Mr. Speaker, together, we will indeed be invanquishable. Therefore,
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), my friend and colleague.
Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation was shocked by a
despicable act of cowardice. Today, even as we grieve and pray for
those killed, injured and missing, America will show the world that our
national spirit cannot be broken by the acts of terrorists.
In times of threat and tragedy, the American family has always come
together, and we do so again today.
With strong faith and resolve, we are already working together to
help the victims and their families, to punish the guilty, and to move
our Nation forward.
Those who underestimated the American spirit should know that today
our President and Congress are working in unity to carry out the
business of our Nation and to hunt down the perpetrators of this attack
against all of the American people.
Once again, American military personnel have sacrificed their lives
and service to our Nation. May our country honor them and the
courageous rescue workers and all who have died with our prayers, our
unity, and our firm commitment to protect Americans' freedom and
security.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
I would like to just share three thoughts, most of which have already
been shared this evening. My first is simply to express my heartfelt
sympathy for the families of the victims of this mindless terrorism.
May we each help you as you face the pain of your loss. May our
prayers, our thoughts, neighborly gestures, that long line of people
willing to give blood, letters from those who knew your sons and
daughters, grandchildren, relatives, friends and coworkers, be of some
small comfort to you for paying this terrible price of living in a free
society in a troubled world.
Secondly, I want to say how proud I am to be an American, to witness
our ability to rally, to help each other, to stand tall in the face of
senseless, cowardly, vicious terrorism. To all of those policemen,
firemen, volunteers, health care providers, folks of all sorts who have
come out to help to save lives, to rebuild, we are strong.
Thirdly, and hear this, our friends around the world, America is now
at war. It is the first war ever fought against a non-nation entity,
but it is war nonetheless, and again a well-organized, well-funded,
focused enemy.
While its energies are focused against America now, terrorism is
everyone's enemy. The weapons it is developing can be used by any
terrorist group, against any object of one's hate. So while it is
terrorism against the United States today, its success strengthens the
name of terrorism and will enable others to use this weapon, even
against sponsoring nations in the future. Terrorism is not rational, is
not just, is not honest; but it is passionate and powerful.
Differences between nation states can be reconciled. Diplomacy, U.N.
peacekeeping forces, intervention by allies are all tools we have
developed to help nations resolve differences peacefully, to preserve
the lives, hopes and dreams of all of their people and the prosperity
and the hope for the common good of all. These tools cannot be used
against non-nation states. That is why they are the ultimate danger.
Terrorism endangers us all, for it allows only one answer: violence.
So we are at war. It is a war we must win, and it is one all of our
allies have an interest in joining us to win.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Barrett), my friend and colleague.
[[Page H5570]]
Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight in prayer and
sorrow, sorrow for the victims of this terrible attack, sorrow for
their families, sorrow for Linda George whose brother, Bryan, works
with me. Linda was a passenger on one of the planes that was hijacked
yesterday.
I stand in sorrow for the families of people I never knew, people
like Nicole Miller, Tom Burnett, Cora Holland, Barbara Keating, John
Jenkins, Amy King, Patrick Quigley, Kenneth Lewis, Rodney Dickens, Mark
Gingham, and hundreds, if not thousands, of others; all Americans who
did not deserve to die in this wicked attack.
Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight in hope. Hope for the families who are
still praying that their loved ones may miraculously be saved in the
rubble in New York City; hope for people like Andrea Haberman, a young
woman from Wisconsin who was on her first business trip to New York and
was in the World Trade Center at the time of the attack.
Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight in heartfelt thanks, thanks to the
firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who risked or gave
their lives to help others. Every American should be proud and thankful
for their bravery and service to others.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight in determination, determination
that the perpetrators of this horrible attack will be quickly
identified and brought to justice. They will see that America will not
allow this crime to go unpunished.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer).
Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
What an awesome opportunity it has been, Mr. Speaker, for all of us
to be a part of listening and observing the eloquence of the country
propounded from these microphones by representatives from every State
in the Nation, both parties, all races, religious beliefs, political
viewpoints. This is the best of America, and it represents why America
is the best country in the world, and it also suggests the reasons why
perhaps America has been a target in the last 2 days.
{time} 0030
America's financial institutions are the best in the world because
they are free. That is why they have perhaps been a target. Our
airlines are the best in the world. They have been a target, too.
The sentiments expressed by people from around the country today
suggest what it really means to be an American, these notions that God
has given us the rights that have been enshrined in our Declaration of
Independence 225 years ago by the most visionary leaders in the history
of human civilization: this notion that God has given us the right to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Every American who revels in those joyous rights also knows the last
line of that Declaration: that we must be prepared to pledge to
ourselves and each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
All those who have contributed to the greatness of America have been
willing to pledge those very elements for the greatness of their
country. Some have given their lives. Some have lost their fortunes.
But the sacred honor of America has never been stronger.
Mr. Speaker, we beg God for his mercy and the repose of the souls of
those lives that have been lost, for those lives that are in peril
today. Also, Mr. Speaker, we also must pray for those perpetrators.
They are about to meet their makers, too.
Mr. Speaker, the greatness of America stands strong. Americans should
hold their heads high and be proud. We are the greatest Nation on the
planet, and we will be emboldened and empowered by this challenge and
those challenges that lie before us.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement).
Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), they both have
give us a splendid opportunity tonight, and have given everyone an
opportunity to speak from their soul and from their heart about this
true tragedy that we have had in America.
I want to say to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) over
here, he is our only Holocaust survivor in the United States Congress,
a true humanitarian. But he knows from another day and another time and
another crisis that we cannot look the other way. We as Americans
cannot look the other way either.
I remember when Jack Kennedy and Martin Luther King lost their lives
in that terrible assassination. I knew where I was and I knew what I
was doing. I will never forget the day, September 11, 2001, when I was
watching television and thought just an accident had happened, that a
plane had happened to hit one of the World Trade Center towers. And
then what happened? Just 17 minutes later, the second tower was hit.
Then we knew, the world knew, the United States knew, that we had
terrorism on our hands.
Then I was driving to the U.S. Capitol, and I see all that smoke and
all that fire from the Pentagon, and all the tragedy and all the loss
of lives. We know that terrorism is systematic. We know that we are in
a real battle. It is not going to be easy for any of us in order to
bring this terrorism to a halt, because we know they are organized. We
know that they believe in hatred, they believe in negativism, and many
of them have been programmed that way.
Support this resolution, support America, and let us continue to
fight for freedom and democracy.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens).
(Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, this is a time for mourning. No one should be
ashamed to cry. We are all united as one with the numerous victims of
this attack on American civilians.
My daughter-in-law was due to work at 9:30 a.m. on the 68th floor of
the World Trade Center. She had to drop my grandson off at a nearby
day-care center, and with her baby in her arms, she watched in horror
from the street as the first plane struck the first tower. How
fortunate I am that it only took 4 hours to find out that the two of
them were safe.
All decent people are touched, but this intimate brush with death so
close in the family brings tears to my eyes each time I hear a story of
another unfortunate soul who was consumed by this catastrophe.
I have heard some parents say that they do not want to tell their
children about this horror. Let me fervently urge these parents to tell
their children about the brave New York City policemen and firemen who
went in to stop the spreading inferno while others were rushing out to
safety.
I ask them to tell their children that more than 200 firemen and
nearly 70 policemen died struggling to save others.
This is a time for mourning and this is a time for rage. Very well-
organized devils have done this ghastly deed. We are face to face with
evil geniuses and cold-blooded murderers. They must be surgically
exposed and then driven from the face of the Earth.
National security is now the business of every Member of Congress. My
constituents do not want to hear me explain that I am not a member of
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. They want to know how
could this happen, and what is being done to guarantee that it never
happens again.
The Intelligence Community that scored vital successes in the war
against Nazi Germany and in the Cold War may now be woefully
inadequate. In memory of all the dead and for the peace of mind of
those who are living, the structuring of the world's most effective
intelligence network must now become the business of every American.
The obliteration of this conglomerate of evil is the duty of every
American. I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of this
resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend
and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
[[Page H5571]]
Mr. Speaker, this great country is a mighty democracy built on the
hopes, dreams, and sacrifices of many hardworking people who throughout
our history were determined to develop, live, and prosper in the
world's greatest Nation.
The history of this Nation is one of struggle, and yes, oftentimes
disappointments, dashed hopes and dreams. But through it all we have
persevered, worked hard, and sacrificed to make this Nation a great
Nation. We have come a long way in the elimination of poverty,
prejudices, and injustice. We are immensely proud of our successes, and
we are confident enough in our freedom to confront our shortcomings.
We are a diverse Nation of many religious and political persuasions.
We are an amazing patchwork of hopeful people who believe that we all
have potential and we all deserve happiness and success. We do not take
lightly any attempts to dim our hopes, to dash our dreams, to destroy,
maim, or kill. We deplore terrorism, and we will not and cannot
tolerate terrorism and destruction. We will not allow terrorism to
erode the constitutional rights and personal freedoms that define us as
Americans.
I stand here today to reassure the citizens of New York, Washington,
Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York, San Francisco, and others
cities throughout the country that this legislative body will indeed
work to ensure that the persons responsible for these acts of terrorism
will be swiftly brought to justice.
We are a wise people who have transcended a history that has taught
us that violence begets violence, and violence serves no useful
purpose. The cowardly attacks on the New York Twin Towers Trade
Building and the Pentagon, the hijacking of American and United
Airlines airplanes, the death, pain, and destruction that has shaken
the very core of our society, must be responded to immediately.
We will indeed identify and deal with the perpetrators. We are good
people; not a perfect people, but we are good people. We do not deserve
to have innocent Americans' lives destroyed by evil minds that plot and
plan sneak attacks on our establishments and our structures and our
people.
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the harmed and the
deceased. We grieve with them. Their losses are our losses, but we ask
that they rest assured that our loved ones, their loved ones, will not
have died in vain. We ask God to have mercy on their souls. We know we
must take an honest assessment of all of our public policy at all
levels, and strengthen our resolve for peace on Earth. We ask God to
guide us in our response.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson).
(Mr. JACKSON of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we pray for the innocent
victims who suffered and died in yesterday's heinous and horrific
terrorist attacks. We offer our sympathy and condolences.
We hurt alongside the families and friends who lost loved ones in
hijacked planes, the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and rescue
workers who sacrificed themselves to save others. We praised the heroic
efforts of the police, the firefighters, the emergency medical teams
and volunteers who responded to this tragedy.
Today Americans stand united, a unity that we must trust will
strengthen our President with wisdom and good judgment. All Americans
should continue to do what we can to help: to give blood, to volunteer,
to pray for peace in the world. America's determination and indomitable
spirit must not allow terrorists and terrorism to weaken our commitment
to an open and democratic society.
We vow to fully, thoroughly, and comprehensively investigate those
who are responsible for this dastardly and deadly deed. We are sure we
must respond with strength and in a comprehensive and proportionate
manner.
Yesterday was September 11, day 9-11, and we were sent an emergency
wake-up call. It was not dialed accidentally, it was a deliberate
message. Terrorists struck at our greatest symbols of financial power
and military might.
We have a profound opportunity not only to investigate who and how
this was done, but also, more importantly, why it was done. We may not
be able to answer that question today. The pain, the hurt, the
suffering, and the anger are too great. But maybe in our tomorrows,
when we have the answer to why, then we will be better able to work
toward the day when such tragedies will never happen again.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday terrorists unleashed a highly organized attack
on the symbols of our Nation's prosperity and power. In an instant,
this tragic attack destroyed the lives of many Americans.
Yesterday morning, countless numbers of ordinary people in my city
and in Washington woke up on a beautiful late summer day and went about
their lives as they always have. Lawyers and accountants, janitors and
clerks arrived at their places of work to start another day. But the
events that soon consumed us all changed that forever. We never
expected this to happen on our soil, and in a profound sense, we have
lost some of our innocence.
How can I begin to verbalize my sorrow over the deaths of so many
wonderful people, individuals whose lives touch others deeply in an
endless interconnected fabric. These individuals each had unique
stories, friends, and family who loved them and depended on them. In an
instant, husbands lost wives, children lost parents, and siblings lost
brothers and sisters.
This is heartbreaking. The perpetrators of these acts intended to
create fear and to bring our society shuddering on its knees, but they
have failed. Today as we begin the process of clearing the rubble and
rebuilding, we are more united and more dedicated in our core beliefs
of liberty and democracy.
Yesterday I was in New York City. It is hard to express in words the
devastation that this act has brought to my city. The people of New
York and the people of our Nation have responded with generosity,
courage, and patriotism. During this time of great sadness, we as a
Nation are witnessing the spirit of hope.
Let there be no misunderstanding, the American people will not let
this terrible act diminish our spirit or force us into fear. As I left
New York City this morning on my way to join this important discussion
and express my support for this resolution, I was startled to see the
skyline of my city without its two great towers standing above all
others. In their space, I only saw a cloud of smoke rising up to the
sky.
Yet, even without those towers watching over my city, we will
continue to embrace our freedom and live out our principles of
democracy. Those faceless terrorists may think that they have won a
great battle, but they have only made our country more dedicated to its
core principles and ready to defend those principles against any
threat.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday terrorists unleashed a highly organized attack
on the symbols of our nation's prosperity and power. In an instant,
this tragic attack destroyed the lives of many Americans. Yesterday
morning, countless numbers of ordinary people in New York and
Washington woke up on a beautiful late summer day and went about their
lives as they always have. Lawyers and accountants, janitors and clerks
arrived at their places of work to start another ordinary day. But the
events that soon consumed us all changed that forever. We never
expected this to happen on our soil, and in a profound sense we have
lost some of our innocence.
How can I begin to verbalize my sorrow over the deaths of so many
wonderful people, individuals whose lives touched others deeply in an
endless interconnected fabric? These individuals each had unique
stories, and friends and family who loved them and depended on them. In
an instant husbands lost wives, children lost parents and siblings lost
brothers and sisters. This is heartbreaking.
The perpetrators of these acts intended to create fear and to bring
our society shuddering to its knees. But they have failed. Today, as we
begin the process of clearing the rubble and rebuilding, we are more
united and more dedicated to our core beliefs of liberty and democracy.
Yesterday, I was in New York City and it is hard to express in words
the devastation that this cowardly act has brought to our city. The
people of New York
[[Page H5572]]
City, and the people of our nation, have responded with generosity,
courage and patriotism. During this time of great sadness, we as a
nation are witnessing a spirit of hope.
Over the last day and a half we have seen countless examples of
courage as our emergency workers and our firemen and policemen risked
their lives to save others. They exemplify the best values of our
nation. Ordinary people reached out to offer whatever they could to
assist and stood in long lines to donate blood. And in the end, many of
them paid the highest price in order to save others and help them keep
their families and friends from suffering such unbearable tragedy.
Let there be no misunderstanding, the American people will not let
this terrible act diminish our spirit or force us into fear. As I left
New York City this morning on my way to join this important discussion
and express my support for this resolution, I was startled to see the
skyline of my city without its two great towers standing above all the
others. In their space I only saw a cloud of smoke rising up to the
sky. Yet, even without those great towers watching over the city, we
will continue to embrace our freedom and live out our principles of
democracy. Those faceless terrorists may think that they have won a
great battle, but they have only made our country more dedicated to its
core principles and ready to defend those principles against any
threat.
{time} 0045
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute just to
close.
In my 21 years as a Member of this House, I have never seen such an
unprecedented unity and solidarity with our fellow Americans as has
been expressed by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This has
been an extraordinary debate, a bipartisan expression of our very deep
concern and anguish over the horrific loss of human life and an
ironclad resolve to effectively prosecute the war on terrorism.
It has all been said, Mr. Speaker, today and into this evening.
Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, we all search for words of wisdom that
will heal these wounds. Yet, there are few poets who could pen the
phrases we long to hear. And, certainly, I do not presume to possess
the vocabulary to put this tragedy in its proper perspective.
I simply rise to say the following. And I say it with confidence: At
this moment, all Americans--regardless of our backgrounds, regardless
of our political affiliations, and regardless of the languages we
speak--all of us speak with one voice.
As this resolution demonstrates, all of us speak with one voice in
mourning our fellow Americans who have died, and in expressing sympathy
for the families, friends and colleagues whom they have left behind.
We speak with one voice--one voice--in expressing immense
appreciation and awe for the emergency personnel who answered the call
of duty, many of whom did not return.
One voice expresses anger and outrage. One voice asks: ``What can we
do to help?'' And one voice expresses full, complete and unwavering
support for our military and for our commander-in-chief.
I support this resolution, above all, for spirit of unity that it
embodies.
As these events have demonstrated, none of us can predict what today,
or the next day, will bring.
Yet, Americans can--by uniting, and speaking with one voice--make
certain that tomorrow will bring us a nation that is, and always will
be, strong yet free, diverse yet indivisible, and, while ever mindful
of the magnitude of our loss, also eternally hopeful and endlessly
optimistic that our Nation's greatness will only grow.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. It
says what all Americans are saying and expresses our unbroken resolve
in the face of this outrageous and cowardly attack on our country.
When I think of the horrific events that happened yesterday, I am
consumed with feelings of great sadness and anger. Yesterday was a day
of outrage and deep loss. Like all Americans, I am filled with sympathy
for the victims and families who have lost loved ones in these brutal
attacks.
The enormity of this loss is impossible to measure. it may be some
time before we fully understand what happened and who is responsible.
But make no mistake--those who organized these inhumane and dastardly
attacks will be found and they will be brought to justice.
These attacks on Americans on American soil have not and cannot
extinguish the American spirit. Now more than ever, we must steel
ourselves to do what must be done--and to do it carefully and
correctly. Words and rhetoric are not enough. We can no longer appeal
to the hearts and souls of terrorists and those who support and harbor
them--they have no heart and they have no soul.
Clearly, our concept of national security must include stronger and
more effective measures to keep Americans safe from terrorist attacks.
We must commit ourselves to a course of action to ensure that this kind
of catastrophe never happens again and that those responsible are
brought to justice for their crimes.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 is a day that each of us
will remember as long as we live. That day and the terrorist acts
committed against the United States must always remind us of the price
we have paid for our freedom. Our hearts and prayers go out to the
thousands of families whose lives have been shattered by the
unspeakable horror that we have all witnessed. We can and will rebuild
the structures that have been destroyed. We will never restore the
lives of those lost in this tragedy. As a Congress and as a nation we
have a solemn obligation not to rest until those guilty of these
murderous acts are brought to justice. May God have mercy on those who
have committed these crimes against us and may God have mercy on the
United States of America.
Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, joining with my colleagues,
I come to the floor with a heavy heart to express my deepest sympathies
for the victims and family members of yesterday's horrific events in
New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. We have them all, including
those from my congressional district, in our prayers.
The Congress is prepared to assist all federal, state, and local
agencies in any way that it can. The victims and families come first in
our concerns.
I also want to assure all Americans that we will find those
responsible for these cowardly acts and make sure that they are
punished. This type of attack on America and its people will not stand.
If those responsible think that they can shake the foundation of the
American spirit, freedom, and democracy, I have a message for them. You
have never been more wrong.
The foundation of liberty and freedom that America is built upon is
unshakable.
Finally, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I along with my
committee colleagues will do everything in our power to provide the
necessary resources to prevent anything like this from happening again.
There is much work to be done in the days and months ahead, but
America will rise to the challenges as is always has throughout its
history.
Again, my deepest sympathies and prayers go out the victims and their
families.
Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, after a painful and shocking
day where we saw the unthinkable become a reality, I returned to my
house to embrace my wife, Tiia, and two children.
My five-year-old son, Robert, had only one question. He asked it in a
way that only a five-year-old could: ``Why did those mean people fly a
plane through that building?''
How can you explain to a child the hate that drives individuals to
act with utter disregard for human life? What answer can we find to the
question, ``Why?''
We may not have that answer soon; however, there are things we do
know. These things are as solid and sure as the Cascade Mountains that
greet us each morning, and as deep as the Puget Sound waters: the
promise and potential that the freedoms we enjoy will never be given up
to any terror. The gift of democracy will continue to be exercised no
matter what the cost. The values of openness and tolerance, without
which we would descend to the level of our new enemies, will continue
to stand. Finally, the American spirit which drives us to reach out to
help those in need--a spirit we need now more than ever--will continue
to triumph.
In the wake of this terrible act of terrorism, I am calling upon all
of us to take these actions: (1) Please pray for the victims and their
families; (2) support President Bush and the Congress in the actions we
must take to respond to this tragedy. This is no time for partisan
politics; (3) use my office as a resource to answer questions; (4)
donate blood if you can; (5) do not let terrorism scare you. The United
States will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.
We have the strongest democracy in the history of the world and we
will get through this shocking attack on our country.
Tiia's and my prayers go out to the families of the victims.
Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer the strongest possible
condemnation of yesterday's terrorist attack on the United States, and
to offer my deepest condolences to all the victims of this senseless
tragedy, to their families and loved ones.
To those who have suffered most in the last two days, we will make
every effort to rescue and bring you comfort and solace. Throughout the
course of the last thirty hours, we have seen the American spirit at
its finest. Americans have volunteered their energy, their homes and
even their blood to aid victims.
To the perpetrators of these heinous acts, we will pursue and bring
each and every one
[[Page H5573]]
of you to justice. America will not tolerate such acts of barbaric
terrorism. We must do all we can to bring the guilty to justice and
ensure this never recurs.
To all my fellow Americans, the United States must not bow to
terrorism. We must do the nation's business. We should not let
yesterday's tragic events stop the work of our nation--to do so would
give terrorism its victory.
We must learn from the kindness of strangers who have come to one
another's comfort in the last two days.
Finally, in the process of combating international terrorism, we must
either abandon American civil liberties nor express our fears and anger
by indiscriminately striking out against those with different names,
skin color or religion.
Today, here on this floor, we honor the victims. Tomorrow, and in the
coming weeks and months, we will honor them further by showing that our
Nation and her people are stronger than the forces of terrorism.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, like most Americans, I was glued to the
television yesterday. It was with the eyes and heart of a wife, mother
and grandmother primarily that I responded incredulously to the
horrific images. Throughout the day, I tried to reach my family back in
Illinois, and found myself looking at their pictures. Those of us who
did not lose loved ones or know personally someone who perished in this
attack could all empathize with the agony of those who do. We all have
sent our precious ones off to work or said goodbye to them at the
airport, never giving more than a passing thought about their safety.
With great anticipation, we have ridden in elevators to the top of the
World Trade Center, and as citizens visited public buildings like the
Pentagon. In just a few hours, our sense of security as an American
family was shattered. It will be a long time before we take ordinary
acts for granted again.
Today, our hopes and prayers are with the injured, and we rejoice
with each discovery of someone found in the rubble. Today we marvel at
the courage of the firefighters, police, military personnel, emergency
crews and volunteers, many of whom also perished, who have worked and
are working so hard to save lives.
Yesterday I was consumed by unanswerable questions. What kind of
people carefully and deliberately plot to brutally murder thousands of
innocent men, women and children? How can one imagine individuals
celebrating the deadly success of this evil plot? How could any human
being have such total disregard for human life? How could anyone be so
consumed by hate? It is still hard to get my mind around this.
Today I realize that we must be careful as we answer those questions.
I represent a very diverse district that includes people of all races,
nationalities and religions. All of them are horrified today. But some,
Arab Americans and Muslims and others have another concern--that they,
our neighbors and fellow American residents, will become the targets of
anger and frustration. This is a time when, in tribute to the value of
tolerance that is at the heart of our democracy, we must embrace one
another. Turning against each other will only be a victory for the
perpetrators of this evil plot.
As a proud member of the Congress of this great nation, I am working
with my staff to assure my constituents that our government is
mobilized now to take decisive action to assure that this will never
happen again. The full resources of this nation will be expended to
find and root out those responsible for this atrocity. We are
vigorously engaged in the search and rescue effort and ready to provide
any support and comfort we can to those who are grieving.
If the purpose of this despicable attack was to deter our commitment
to freedom and our support for our democratic allies, like Israel, it
has failed.
We will have peace and security again in this country and we continue
our efforts to spread peace and security throughout the world. We will
pay tribute to our lost loved ones, to those who have responded so
bravely, and we will comfort the families that are aching across the
nation. And we will stand together in this country and with our allies
around the world and all those who consider themselves civilized, and
we will have justice. And the commitment to freedom from which this
nation was born will continue to flourish.
Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, America was wounded. Wounded in
our souls. wounded by an unimaginable evil.
Our nation will forever remember this despicable attack on America,
on our people, and on the freedom we enjoy as Americans. These horrific
events will be forever engrained in the minds of our peace-loving
people for many years to come.
We must come together in our hearts to bring peace to the families
and friends of the lost loved ones. We must open our hearts to those in
need.
Lifestyles in this nation and around the world may change, but the
message must go out to our faceless enemies that we the American people
have the resolve to persevere. In the words of Confucius, ``Our
greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we
fall.''
We are a strong and proud people who have faced adversity and enemies
greater than the pathetic cowards who attacked us yesterday. Our
enemies will not see us falter. The American people and this congress
will stand behind our President.
This tragic event will only serve to solidify our principles of
freedom and democracy. These terrorists fear our very foundation of
freedom and democracy. They will learn that America's belief in freedom
and democracy are far more powerful than any acts of terrorism.
We will continue to be the greatest nation this planet has ever seen,
and our enemies are about to find that out the hard way! I will support
the President's efforts to hunt down and punish those cowards
responsible for the killing of unsuspecting and innocent civilians.
Unfortunately, whatever action taken will never be enough to
sufficiently avenge our nation's losses.
Let us always remember that although our nation has been violated, we
will deal with those who perpetrated this terrorism.
Freedom to live was stolen from many of our mothers, fathers,
children, sisters, brothers, and our citizens. We must never forget
that, even long after our answer comes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday America was hit by an unspeakable
tragedy--an act of unconscionable horror.
I am uncomprehending, and I am saddened beyond depths I could have
imagined, at the terrorist attacks that have been launched against the
United States. My heart goes out to the families of all those who have
been lost--airline passengers and crew, workers in office buildings,
military personnel, rescue workers--too numerous to even estimate at
this point.
Yesterday, Americans from coast to coast and around the world stopped
what they were doing and experienced shock, insecurity, and grief.
Our country has not felt such horror or fear in its history. Cities,
suburbs, and rural towns became ``still'' as news spread of the events
unfolding in New York City, Washington, DC, and western Pennsylvania.
As we relive yesterday's events, we will continue to be in shock. We
will search for information about friends, family, and professional
colleagues affected by this vicious attack.
However, as we move beyond the shock, we must remain assured that
America's institutions and government remain fully intact. Our
democracy is stronger than a band of suicidal terrorists. We will
survive this deplorable attack. In fact, we will grow stronger. While
this attack has destroyed lives and infrastructure, it has not
destroyed our foundation as a country.
To the perpetrators of this act, I would state that you have not
destroyed the spirit of America. You have not even shaken the
foundation of this country. If anything, even as our nation grieves,
its very foundation has been re-enforced with a sense of itself, its
purpose, its freedoms,and the deeply felt civic connections among its
citizens.
In the morning hours, even as hundreds of thousands of people were
immediately gripped by chaotic circumstances in Washington, DC, and New
York, we knew that our faith in one another as citizens would sustain
us through the events unfolding before our eyes.
In the afternoon, as we watched the brave men and women of fire,
police and medical professions carry out their duties, our confidence
in civic institutions was re-assured and grew deeper.
All day as public resources were mobilized to support the efforts of
New York City, Washington, DC, and southwestern Pennsylvania, our trust
and belief in the leadership provided by local, state, and federal
officials grew stronger.
My fellow Americans, after yesterday, that bond that binds us
together as Americans, that bond that seems invisible or recessed in
our daily lives, that bond that seems not to exist when we watch
political or partisan differences being expressed, that bond became
fully visible and tangible once again.
All of us felt its presence and re-emergence as we struggled through
yesterday.
As we evacuated buildings.
As we follow the news.
As we took the metro or walked home.
As we shared our sorrow with friends and family.
To my colleagues and fellow Americans, I would say that it is through
this bond--shared between ourselves, and indeed shared among all people
who relish freedom and democracy--that we will tap our inner strength
to overcome yesterday's event.
Over the next several weeks, we will take stock of our loss. We will
grieve for friends and loved ones. After that, we will re-build the
[[Page H5574]]
physical infrastructure that was destroyed, and in so doing make sacred
the memories of Americans lost.
Our lives will go on--saddened by those lost--but unencumbered by
fear of those who have neither the ability nor courage to truly
threaten our freedom and way of life.
As we move to respond internationally, we will assemble the facts to
identify those responsible. And then we will act swiftly to punish
those responsible, and we will protect U.S. national security interests
in concert with our friends who share a commitment to actively combat
terrorism.
To America's friends and allies, we take comfort in your words of
condolence and look forward to your support in the future.
To the perpetrators of this crime against human life, you will be
tracked down.
You may wish to remember what Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the
last major attack on U.S. soil at Pearl Harbor mused after that event:
``I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and filled him
with terrible resolve.''
The United States will use every resource available to find you and
to punish you.
Cowardly acts of terror will not change the United States of America.
You will not win.
Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, there have been many times over the past
two days when an analogy has been made to Pearl Harbor.
I am struck by a different analogy from the same war.
In August 1940, the Battle of Britain raged in the skies. It was
different from previous wars because innocent civilians Were thrust
into the battle As bombs rained down on London and the rest of Britain.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke to the House of Commons on
August 20. He said: ``If it is a case of the whole nation fighting and
suffering together, That ought to suit us, Because we are the most
united of all the nations, Because we enter the war upon the national
will and with our eyes open, and because we have been nurtured in
freedom and individual responsibility and are the products, not of
totalitarian uniformity, but of tolerance and variety.''
The same could be said of us today, Mr. Speaker.
What the terrorists will never understand is that the strength of
America is the hearts of our people. They may attack our buildings;
they may attack innocent civilians. But they can never harm the thing
that makes us great--it's inside us.
Last night, church services were held across the country--from
Clarendon, Texas to Washington, D.C.--as people prayed for those
affected by the tragedy and for strength and courage to face what lies
ahead.
I believe that God will continue to bestow His blessings on this
favored land, and each day I will thank Him for the opportunity to be
an American.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it will take weeks, months, perhaps
years, for us to understand the magnitude of the terrorist attacks. Our
lives will be changed as we struggle to find a balance between the need
for increased security and the necessity of protecting our freedoms.
I was driving to work at the Rayburn House Office Building yesterday
morning with my window down because of a broken air conditioner. As I
came abreast of the Pentagon, which was on my right, I thought I heard
a muffled boom and then, after a few seconds, saw a billowing black
cloud of smoke. A few minutes later, when I stopped at the entrance of
the Rayburn garage, a Capitol Hill policeman told me, ``They just hit
the Pentagon,'' and pointed to the same black cloud of smoke I had just
passed.
It will take a while for our government to resume normalcy and for
our country to regain its confidence. I used to tell Sunday School
students that ``confidence'' comes from the Latin, ``con fides,'' which
means ``with faith.'' That is how we will have to proceed.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the grief millions of Americans are
feeling today all across our great nation knows no boundaries. While I
recognize the significance of the Congress making a statement for the
record to condemn yesterday's attacks, I also recognize mere words ring
hollow today to the millions of Americans who have lost so much.
Lost in this tremendous tragedy were friends and loved ones, mothers
and fathers, military personnel, firefighters, and police officers;
innocent men, women, and children all. Over the days, weeks, and months
ahead, all Americans must come together, work together, and do what
they can, whether it is donating blood to a local blood bank or
something as simple as thanking the brave men and women who put their
lives on the line each day to ensure our safety and freedom.
The grief and mourning all of us are feeling today however, must be
balanced by our resolve to identify and take action against those
responsible for these despicable and unprovoked acts of war. For these
were not simple acts of terrorism or mere crimes. They were acts of
war; a direct and deliberate attack against our country, our
government, our economy, and our military.
To that end, I disagree with those who believe we must bring these
perpetrators ``to justice.'' They should be destroyed, and destroyed
with force so powerful that these vipers will no longer have the
ability to rear their fangs towards our great nation again. I agree
with the President who said last night there will no longer be a
distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who
provide harbor to them. I only regret such a distinction has existed
for so long.
While we remember and reflect on all we have lost, we must also move
forward with a renewed fight to destroy terrorists and dismantle their
infrastructure. This consists of identifying any and all terrorist
elements--whether they be those who actually train and commit these
acts, or those who harbor, finance, supply and otherwise offer support
to them. Once we have positively identified them, we take them out;
eliminate them from the face of this earth with a vengeance so strong
they will never rise again. In doing so, they should be afforded the
same lack of warning and mercy as they offered to the innocent victims
in the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
There are other steps we could and should take, in light of these
terrorist acts.
We must all work to immediately untie the hands of our military and
intelligence leaders to deal swiftly with serious and recognized
threats to our national security. For the last 30 years, our
government, through executive orders, has had an artificial barrier in
place; prohibiting surgical attacks against known terrorist leaders. As
the threat posed to American citizens by terrorist organizations
continues to grow as demonstrated by the occurrence of September 11th,
it is essential we use every tool at our disposal to eliminate those
who would destroy our lives and property from doing so. To that end, I
introduced H.R. 19, ``The Terrorist Elimination Act''; legislation
repealing those portions of executive orders prohibiting the government
from directly eliminating terrorist leaders.
Terrorist leaders should rarely be targeted, and any such steps
should only be considered after very careful and comprehensive
consideration involving our military, intelligence, and policy leaders.
However, when terrorist leaders, such as the ones who caused the
attacks against New York City and Washington, D.C., take and threaten
the lives of Americans, I believe it is entirely appropriate for us to
remove them by any means necessary, without arbitrarily limiting our
options.
Finally, we must begin to take steps toward understanding why our
intelligence community failed to have knowledge or warning of such a
well-planned, multi-faceted strategic attack. The federal government
spends billions of dollars each year to ensure the safety of its
citizens. For us to have no knowledge ahead of time is simply
unacceptable, and I fully expect steps will be taken to understand the
source of these problems and fix them immediately; including allowing
our agents in the field more latitude to gain information and
eliminating bureaucracy to ensure information is disseminated more
quickly.
What we must avoid, however, is the knee-jerk reaction to pass more
laws restricting the civil liberties of American citizens. The
tragedies of this attack will only be compounded by giving the
government more power at the expense of our civil liberties. If we
cannot stop this sort of attack with all of the power our government
agencies already have, then we are in very serious trouble. As I have
said, the one area where the government can and must approve is in
allowing more latitude to gain information overseas and in taking
direct action against terrorists.
As I said at the outset, mere words have little meaning during this
time of national tragedy. What we must do now is to take meaningful
steps to exact retribution on those who are responsible and ensure this
never happens again.
Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in expressing
my outrage at these terrorist attacks on American soil. My thoughts and
prayers go out to the families of those who perished at the hands of a
cruel, and as yet unknown killer. I extend my deepest respect and
gratitude to the hundreds of emergency responders who, at this moment,
continue to make order of the wreckage that has resulted from this most
wretched attack.
Our proud nation has never flinched from adversity. On the contrary--
we are a nation that pulls together during extraordinary times. And,
indeed, this is an extraordinary time. This unity of spirit is already
evident by countless Americans who are lining up at bloodbanks across
the country, those offering clothing to the walking wounded whose
clothes were seared by burning buildings, and scores of volunteers who
are seeking to come to crash sites to relieve exhausted rescue
personnel. The resolve of America is evident in the face of this
carnage and chaos.
[[Page H5575]]
I join Members of the House and Senate in supporting President Bush's
efforts to use all necessary resources to protect our Nation, and to
determine who has perpetrated this unseemly act of terrorism and to
punish them, or those who harbor them. I invite the President to
communicate swiftly with the Congress to let us know what resources our
Government agencies need to address the damage inflicted upon our land
and our people. I know that Congress will respond thoroughly and
expeditiously.
While buildings, as well as nerves, may be shattered by this heinous
act of terrorism, American spirit is steadfast and unflinching. God
bless America.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member calls to his colleagues'
attention the exceptionally perceptive editorials of Nebraska's two
metropolitan newspapers--the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-
Herald. The editorial advice of the former newspaper that ``now is the
time for Americans to unite, to draw together'' is certainly evident in
abundance in Nebraska today, and throughout this Nation. All of us in
Congress and in other national leadership need to consider, and lead by
our example and our actions in the Congress, the advice of the Omaha
paper that while ``this is a time for anger, to be sure, and grief and
compassion toward those whose family and friends are among the victims.
But it's also a time for a clear-eyed assessment of what Americans can
do to make our society less vulnerable to this kind of warfare.''
[From the Lincoln Journal Star, Sept. 12, 2001]
Attacks Mark Bloody End to Complacency
Life in America will be forever altered by the terrorist
attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
Life will change because Americans not only will
accommodate it, they will welcome it. Aren't you willing this
morning to tolerate ultra-strict precautions the next time
you board an airline?
A message was driven home in the thunder of exploding
airplanes and collapsing skyscrapers. The greatest threat to
American security may be from shadowy forces using guile,
deception and stealth--not from recognizable foes wielding
batteries of missiles and the recognizable implements of war.
Aircraft carriers, satellites, ballistic missiles, tanks,
and helicopters were of little use against the foe who struck
Tuesday morning in the deadliest attack ever mounted against
Americans on American soil.
Apt comparisons were quickly drawn between the attack on
Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. This day, too, shall live in
infamy. The toll of dead and injured, however, apparently
will surpass the 2,388 deaths and 1,178 wounded at Pearl
Harbor.
In World War II the enemy struck at what was then a far-
flung outpost of American military might. But on Sept. 11,
2001, the enemy struck at the very heart and nerve center of
the American military--the Pentagon in the nation's capital.
Despite the distinctions between Tuesday's terrorism and
Pearl Harbor, Americans of today would do well to emulate the
response of Americans to that surprise attack in the last
century.
Now is a time for Americans to unite, to draw together.
Terrorism is effective when it drives a wedge between a
government and its citizens. Terrorism is effective when it
can create chaos, when it can disrupt a society's productive
routines.
Now is a time for Americans to remain calm. There were
reports Tuesday afternoon of gas price spikes, and lines
forming at gas stations. That's overreaction. Tuesday's
blasts will have less effect on America's gas supply than the
accidental refinery explosion earlier this summer in
Illinois.
Americans can help each other. One way is to donate blood.
The nation's blood supply, already at perilously low levels,
was drained by Tuesday's catastrophe. Call the Community
Blood Bank at 474-1781.
Americans should hold to their traditions of fairness and
religious tolerance, even as they turn to prayer in
accordance with their own faiths. If the attacks prove to be
the work of Muslim extremists, those of different beliefs
should remember that many Muslims abhor such violence. And
surely Americans have learned enough about race not to hold
every individual of Mideastern descent responsible in this
time of rampant suspicion.
Most of America's response to Tuesday's suicide hijackings
will be directed from Washington. This is no time for
rhetoric as usual. Americans are sick of Republicans and
Democrats who spend more energy fighting for partisan
advantage than in actually addressing problems. Focus on
ridding the globe of terrorists--not angling to pick up seats
in the next election.
Certainly the nation's intelligence-gathering capabilities
need to be scrutinized. Perhaps there has been too much
reliance on satellite surveillance. Perhaps it's time to re-
emphasize human operatives.
Tuesday's attack also should remind Washington that
America, despite its status as the world's sole superpower,
needs allies. And it especially needs allies if anti-
terrorism efforts are to succeed. In the past several months
the Bush administration too often has acted unilaterally. Now
is an opportune time to mobilize the international community
against terrorism. The bloody devastation in New York and
Washington just as easily could happened in Moscow, Berlin or
Paris.
The deadliest attack ever made on American soil marks the
start of a new era in this country. Complacency is now a
thing of the past. As America grids for sustained battle
against terrorism, may it be granted the wisdom to choose
wisely as it balances the needs of liberty and security.
____
[From the Omaha World Herald, Sept. 12, 2001]
Yesterday was a day for Americans to face often-neglected
realities.
Our borders are porous. Our cities are poorly protected.
Our airline security program has been exposed as a dismal
failure. Our defense and intelligence services are
underfunded and, in some cases, held only haphazardly to
account.
The Pentagon lies in partial ruin. The World Trade Center,
a foremost symbol of our commercial might, has been erased
from the Manhattan skyline. Americans can no longer be sure
our centers of government and commerce are safe based solely
on the good will of the public.
Some of the vulnerability exists because Americans wanted
more personal benefits from government at the expense of
defense and intelligence. Civilian society has grown apart
from some of the realities of security. Accordingly, many
Americans were unprepared for this brutal introduction to
warfare in what is sure to be one of its 21st century forms.
It is a maddening, infuriating kind of conflict in which
the enemy often can't be identified. Its targets are selected
with cruel indifference to human values--the traveling
public, the institutions of democratic government and large
concentrations of innocent civilians.
It is war on a horrifyingly large scale. Some people
compared the attacks with the Japanese ambush of Pearl
Harbor. However, the toll was potentially greater than the
2,400 lives lost in that 1941 attack. Fifty thousand people
worked in the World Trade Center towers. If the hijack-
terrorists had achieved a maximum kill, it would have been
near the magnitude of the 60,000 people who died at
Hiroshima.
Tuesday, as the hours passed and shock turned to anger,
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf said what a lot of people were
thinking--the first impluse, he noted, is to find the
persons responsible and punish them severely.
But as Schwarzkopf acknowledged, part of the frustration of
a terrorist war is not knowing the adversary, immediately or
at all. We can only trust that the government will do its
best to take care of that essential part of the response.
These events should remind Americans of the importance of
electing the best leaders they possibly can--the most
important consideration is not the benefits the candidate
promises but the character and wisdom he potentially can
bring to an unforeseen crisis.
This is a time for anger, to be sure, and grief and
compassion toward those whose family and friends are among
the victims.
But it's also a time for a clear-eyed assessment of what
Americans can do to make our society less vulnerable to this
kind of warfare. Travel may become less convenient. The White
House and the Capitol may become less accessible.
Surveillance of suspect organizations may increase.
Government resources that people counted on to make their
lives more comfortable might have to go for security, which,
after all, is the government's foremost responsibility.
Grown-ups will accept, indeed welcome, the sacrifices that
need to be made.
The terrible events of September 11, 2001, will surely
never be forgotten. This will stand with Pearl Harbor and the
burning of the White House by the British in the War of
1812--events that not only saddened and outraged the country
but also reignited its determination to preserve the
blessings of liberty.
This determination has always been one of the country's
greatest strengths. It has seldom been more urgently needed
than now.
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, today is another day that will live in
infamy
Americans are not used to attacks on our citizens, especially on our
own soil. And America will not stand for it.
Today's cowardly attacks were made by those who despise freedom.
Well, I have news for them: freedom will prevail, and they will pay the
highest price for their actions.
This was an act of war. Some of my friends who are World War II
veterans compare this to Pearl Harbor. But in World War II, we knew
who--and where--the enemy was. As yet, we don't know the answer to that
question, but be assured that we will find out.
Our thoughts and prayers today are with the innocent victims and
their families. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to those rescue
workers who continue to put public safety above their own. They are
true American heroes, and we are deeply saddened that many of those
public servants lost their lives.
But while we grieve, we must also harden our resolve to protect this
wonderful country. I have great confidence in the men and women who
serve in our military and will be called upon to respond on behalf of
our nation. I also have great confidence in our civilians, who will
willingly make whatever sacrifices might be needed.
[[Page H5576]]
I encourage our citizens to donate blood, which is critically needed
at this time. I also encourage you to go to your house of worship and
join in prayer.
America will rebound from this tragedy. The terrorists took their
best shot, and now it's time that we take ours.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our great Nation was dealt a blow of
untold destruction and loss of life, in a cowardly and egregious act of
war by terrorists.
At this time my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the
families of this horrible terrorist act. This is now a time for our
Nation to collectively grieve and come together as one to address this
crisis. I salute the brave men and women who are, even now, pouring
through the tangled remains of the buildings, the doctors, nurses,
paramedics, and law enforcement who are working long hours to provide
critical medical attention, and the volunteers who are rallying to
support them.
The American people and Congress will support the President's effort
to utilize every resource available to ensure our Nation's security.
Our Nation has not witnessed such an unprovoked attack since Pearl
Harbor. As in the past, America will respond. We will identify the
perpetrators of these attacks and hold them accountable for an act of
war against the American people.
Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Joint Resolution 61
expressing the sense of the Senate and House of Representatives
regarding terrorist attacks launched against the United States on
September 11, 2001.
We are gathered here on the floor of the people's House 1 day after
the worst attack on American soil in our Nation's history.
We are gathered here to demonstrate that the people's work must go
on. And that we will not be intimidated away from performing the
people's work.
We are gathered here to show the world that you can take our people's
lives, and you can destroy their property; but you can never destroy
their values of freedom and the institution of democracy.
And so, as the people's representatives, we must act in the face of
turmoil, confusion, and danger to do the peoples' work; to show our
enemies that the people cannot be intimidated, and that our democracy
cannot be shut down.
Today is a day that we must demonstrate to the world that terrorism
is not free speech, it is murder; and that terrorist acts are not
politics, they are war. It is time for us to realize that the
perpetrators of these acts are not trying to capture our attention to
make a point. They are trying to destroy us; and it is time for us to
respond in kind.
The resolution before us says that we ``commit to support increased
resources in the war to eradicate terrorism.'' It also provides that we
``punish the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their
sponsors.'' These are appropriate responses to what has happened over
the past 24 hours.
In the coming weeks, I do not want to see terrorist faces on the
covers of our national newspapers. I do not want to hear the pundits
talk of this group or that. I want our intelligence community and
military forces to hunt them down like the murderous cowards they are.
And I want this Congress to use its ``power of the purse'' to ensure
that they have the resources they need to accomplish this task. That is
what this resolution says we will do. That is what we must do.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I will share with the Chamber that last
night, my wife spent the evening hours with beloved neighbors in our
hometown of Stonington, CT. Their young grandson, my daughter's
classmate and friend, had a new and exciting job in New York City
located on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. He was a bright
and energetic young man; a smalltown boy pursuing the American dream in
``the Big Apple.'' Following yesterday's attack, calls to his cell
phone went unanswered. He is missing. We fear the worst.
Today in eastern Connecticut we have learned of four others who are
missing, and we mourn the deaths of three loved ones who were on two of
the aircraft involved.
This distress among our fellow citizens demands that we respond with
strong and unequivocal action. This resolution is just the first step.
I expect that it will be followed by authorizations and appropriations.
In the name of the missing and the dead, we can do no less. This is the
people's house. In their name, this is what we resolve to do.
Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly condemn the heinous acts
of terrorism committed against the American people yesterday. The
barbaric cowards perpetrating these acts have attacked not only our
country, but also the values of human freedom and democracy that so
many Americans have died defending both here and abroad. Our thoughts
and prayers are with the injured and those who have tragically lost
loved ones.
In the short term, we must do everything we can to save and care for
those injured in these attacks. The Federal Government can and must be
a vital partner in this effort. As chairman of the appropriations
subcommittee that funds the Department of Health and Human Services, I
am very pleased to see the Department is coordinating emergency medical
services under the Federal Response Plan, dispatching medical supplies
and disaster medical teams to the areas affected by these attacks.
I must express my sincere gratitude to all those police, fire, and
volunteer rescue units that have saved so many already at their own
risk and continue their efforts to find survivors. My appreciation also
goes out to those tresting the many injured. Lastly, I must say thanks
to all those who have donated their time, blood, and possessions to aid
the rescue effort. It always impresses me that in times of great
tragedy, the people of this country rise to the challenge in coming to
the aid of their fellow citizens. This says a lot about the values this
nation represents.
Of course, our energies must be strongly focused on finding those
responsible and bringing them to justice. I consider this to be an act
of war against the United States and a substantial and coordinated
response is needed to protect our national security. Like the
President, I believe we must strongly punish not only these terrorists,
but also those who provide them with a haven in which to operate. I
hope that our friends and allies worldwide will help us in this effort.
Clearly, the unforeseen nature of these attacks requires us to
rethink the way we defend this country, with the hope that future
attacks can be prevented. Domestically, we must pay better attention to
unconventional threats and basic security measures. Internationally, we
need to better utilize our intelligence resources so that these types
of threats can be detected early.
This is not the first time our country and way of life have been
challenged. This challenge too will be answered and this great nation
will prevail over these faceless cowards. These are the times when all
Americans are called upon to rise to the occasion, working together
with a common purpose to show that this Nation continues to stand tall
and proud.
Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation suffered previously
unimaginable horrific acts against our Nation's citizens and our
democracy, in an attempt to shake our foundation of freedom.
As parents, grandparents, and peers we not only see these acts as an
attack on our Nation--but also an attack that threatens to shatter the
innocence of life as seen by our children. Yesterday, the actions of
others crushed this innocence and reminded us that freedom does not
come without a cost. As so many American's who have fought for this
country already know--freedom is not free.
I want to express my condolences and prayers to all of the families
and friends who have lost loved ones and to those victims who are
fighting to survive their injuries. I also want to ask us all to
remember and pray for the dedicated people who have worked and continue
to work to recover possible survivors.
As a nation of free people we will join together and recover from
this tragedy. From the ashes of this tragedy we will rise up and
prevail--because in America--every morning has the potential for new
and even better beginnings.
Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, America was besieged by images of
tragedy and horror as we witnessed an attack on the very heart of the
freedom which we hold so dear. Today, the Nation and the world are
besieged by emotion: disbelief, anger, and enormous sorrow. We mourn
the loss of thousands, and grieve for the families, friends, and
communities that have lost so much.
As Chaplain Coughlin told us through prayer this morning, ``Yesterday
changed the world, and today we are changed.'' We will meet this change
and this challenge united--knowing that our freedom is our greatest
strength and knowing that in our resolve to protect freedom, we will
not fail.
Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, our Nation, our freedom, and our way of
life were violently attacked yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are
with the victims and their families, as well with the men and women who
are conducting the recovery efforts.
While, our adversaries correctly calculated how to get past airport
security and execute their plan, they badly miscalculated the unity and
resolve of the American people. Whatever policy disagreements we may
have are a family fight. One need only to see the long lines of people
waiting to give blood for the victims, or the truckdrivers in New York
stopping to pick up carry pedestrians across the George Washington
Bridge, or the woman handing out free pairs of sneakers to women
wearing high heels so they could get through the rubble safety to know
that the American people are as united as ever.
We stand united behind the President and his national security team.
While the people
[[Page H5577]]
behind these vicious acts don't have the courage to show themselves, we
will find out who is responsible for this, we will hunt down those who
financed and protected the terrorists, and we will make an example of
them.
This is much more than a massive criminal act; it is an act of war,
and will be dealt with as such. The merchants of terror have gambled
that America won't have the stomach to do what is necessary to
safeguard our freedom. they have gambled wrong. America can't--and
won't--flinch.
Mr. LARGENT. Mr. Speaker, today our nation grieves for those lost in
yesterday's horrendous attacks. Our prayers are with the victims and
their families. We also must honor the heroic efforts of those who gave
their lives while attempting to rescue victims trapped in the Trade
Towers. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and other workers
reportedly lost their lives during the terrible collapse of buildings.
We will never forget their courage and sacrifice, and we must do all we
can to assist those who continue to attend to victims and search for
survivors.
Make no mistake: yesterday's attacks were an act of war against the
United States. When we determine who is responsible our reaction must
be strong, decisive, and sustained enough to stamp out this threat
against our nation. We must support our president in any operation that
would punish the group responsible for these attacks and any government
who harbors these terrorists.
America has been challenged in the past, and we have not only
prevailed but come through each trial a stronger nation. This test will
be no exception. After September 11, 2001 we will be a stronger, more
noble, and more free nation than before.
Today a new generation of Americans is reminded of the fact that
freedom is not free. The struggle before us will be long and difficult
but America will prevail. The depth and breadth of evil in yesterday's
attacks was extraordinary, but the spirit of America is greater still.
The people of Oklahoma, in particular, have been an example to the
world of how Americans respond to terror. We stand by one another
regardless of race or ideology with compassion and determination.
The spirit of fear that spread throughout our nation yesterday will
be driven from our soil. Our military will play its role, but the real
victory of freedom over tyranny will come, as it always has, from the
character of the American people. As a nation we must, more than ever,
hold to our common heritage and belief that the freedoms we hold dear
are the right of every individual under God and not merely the fruits
of economic or military power. The Apostle John writes in 1 John
chapter 4 that perfect love drives out fear. The love the American
people have for freedom and for every child of God is a foundation that
can withstand any attack. Terrorists may wage war against our structure
but they will not touch our soul.
In the coming days the world will undoubtedly see the strength of our
military but they will also see the strength of our character and the
values that make America what it is. America has always been a
lighthouse to the world, welcoming those seeking a safe harbor and new
beginnings. America was attacked precisely because her freedom shines
brightest. In the days to come that lighthouse will shine even brighter
still, penetrating the darkest of nights and standing tall as an
enduring beacon of hope.
May God bless the victims and their families, and may God bless
America.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, September 11th was a tragic day in
America's history, and a defining day in the lives of all Americans and
all civilization. My prayers go out to all those who's loved ones were
lost or injured.
As we reflect on the horror of the terrorist attack we must all,
individually and collectively as a nation, resolve to support our
President, military and law enforcement in their pursuit, capture and
conviction of those responsible for carrying out this act of terror.
The intent of terrorism is to strike fear in the hearts of people,
and to cause people to cower and retreat. We must all demonstrate as a
nation and as individuals that terrorism has failed in its intent. Our
history demonstrates that America has risen to meet and defeat every
attempt to shake our dedication to peace and liberty. Now will be no
exception.
Freedom and hope in the world rest today, as it has for over two
centuries, on the shoulders of Americans. May our response against
those who attacked America be swift and decisive, and our resolve to
never allow this to happen again ever vigilant. God has blessed
America, and I pray God's healing hand touch all Americans whose
families suffered loss and injury yesterday.
Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our nation
experienced one of the worst tragedies in its history. It was a tragedy
caused by violent terrorists with no regard for precious human lives.
It was a tragedy that reminded us not to take our freedoms for granted.
And it was a tragedy that will be sure to touch the lives of everyone
in our nation for a long time. Today I want to express my deepest
personal condolences and concerns to the victims of yesterday's tragedy
and their families.
The attacks yesterday on passengers on four airlines flights, the
World Trade Center in New York, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
struck at the heart of our nation. They struck our entire country by
attacking some of our great nation's most important symbols and
institutions. The Pentagon is a symbol of our nation's great military
might, which protects our borders and defends our democratic way of
life. The World Trade Center was a symbol of this nation's vital and
strong economy--an economy that will remain as strong as the resolve of
all Americans.
More than assaulting our symbols, the terrorists struck at the heart
of our nation--its people. They struck not just the immediate victims
of yesterday's violence, but at many, many more. They struck the
victims' families, friends, and all our communities. Their violence
didn't just destroy buildings--it took away the gift of life from
countless innocent Americans. The human cost of this violence will be
deep.
I join with all of my colleagues in declaring today a national day of
mourning. It is important that we take the time to mourn the dead and
others affected by this tragedy. Only by mourning and praying can we
come to grips with this terrible act and make peace with its
consequences. But we must do more than mourn.
We must act swiftly in the coming days to provide emergency aid to
support to those areas affected by the violence. This should include
federal funds for rescue, recovery, rebuilding, and counseling. And it
should also include individual volunteer efforts, whether it's the
donation of blood or assistance in providing solace and comfort to the
victims' families.
We must find the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to
justice. I have faith the President Bush will act quickly and
aggressively to identify the terrorists and launch appropriate
retaliation.
We must do everything in our power to prevent terrorists from
inflicting this strain of violence in the future by significantly
increasing our intelligence budget and investing more in traditional
human espionage.
We must work to restore the fullest confidence in our airway safety
by strengthening security measures at airports around the country. Most
Americans understand that greater security measures may entail some
sacrifices, but those sacrifices may be a small price to pay for
greater peace of mind.
And finally, we must help each other heal from this tragedy. When
terrorists seek to divide us, we must remember to trust each other and
to stand united. By placing our trust in each other, we can once again
strengthen and preserve the strong bonds of this country that these
terrorists tried to break.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker. Southern West Virginians know loss. We hope
and pray for the victims of these attacks and their families as other
Americans have hoped and prayed for us in the past. Our nation's motto
is E. Pluribus Unum: Out of many, one. Americans always display this
unity best when disaster strikes our fellow citizens.
Yesterday's attacks did not kill only Washingtonians and New Yorkers.
The victims came from across this country. At least one family in my
own District was torn apart. Dr. Paul Ambrose, a talented and public-
spirited young physician, was aboard one of the airplanes that the
terrorists crashed. The sympathies of all America are with Ken and
Sharon Ambrose of Huntington, West Virginia, today. We will avenge
their loss.
America seeks peace, but it is not blind. The people who planned
these attacks are out there, and we know that they still pursue their
evilness. Their celebrations will be short, because America's resolve
is sure. I support the President's vow to punish these murderers and
those who give them shelter.
As the death toll mounts in the aftermath of the most vicious
terrorist attack ever perpetrated on Americans and America, I ask the
good Lord to give us the courage, wisdom, and conviction to bring those
responsible to justice.
Certainly, the horror of this attack has been etched into the minds
and hearts of all Americans. It is time to mourn the dead. To care for
the injured. But it is also time to plan for our future, and to take
actions to insure that the lessons of this attack will not be lost.
That those who perished will not have done so in vain.
America will persevere. We are not weakened by this attack, but
rather, will grow stronger. Out of these flames of death, an even
stronger American spirit will be born. And the beacon of freedom, of
our Democratic institutions, will burn even brighter upon the world.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, my office manager, Mary Christ,
noted the following
[[Page H5578]]
that I want to share with my colleagues. And I quote:
Suddenly, we are living in a new world.
This attack on the United States is worse than the Pearl
Harbor of the past.
Then, a known enemy struck at a far-away naval base.
Now, an unclear enemy has struck against the heart of the
nation.
Innocent civilians were turned into weapons, and innocent
civilians were the targets and the victims. It was
unspeakable brutality and terror.
It could not have been worse.
This was the day we will all remember.
This was the day the world changed.
For 10 years, we have been living in the optimism after the
fall of the Evil Empire and a new freedom around the world.
Now, a new Evil has struck.
A new war will be waged across world.
It will never be the same.
Thank you Mary!
Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 61.
911 now has as new meaning in America. September 11, 2001 is the day
the landscape of America was changed forever. Whenever I hear 911, not
only will I think of emergency assistance; I will remember the victims
and families of this great tragedy and the importance of the fight
against terrorism.
We will rebuild structures, but we cannot rebuild thousands of lives
that have been lost to this world forever. Our thoughts and prayers go
out to the victims, their families and friends and all of those
affected by this reprehensible and cowardly attack against our country.
As we attempt to rescue survivors and console those who have lost, we
begin our determined quest to find the murderers and impose the
appropriate punishment.
Make no mistake. The act of war perpetrated against us will be met
with the full force of the United States. Once we have identified the
cowards, our response will be swift and severe. President Bush,
Congress and the American people are resolved to take on and defeat the
forces of evil that attempt to disrupt our way of life. The principles
of democracy in a free and open society are at stake. Weak and cowardly
terrorists have declared war against all nations that enjoy freedom and
liberty. The world is now divided between those who support terrorism
and those who will fight it, and all peaceful nations should band
together in a unified force against those that spread hatred and wreak
terror. We shall target not only those who plan and carry out these
acts of terror, but those who feed, finance, clothe and harbor them.
Congress must reassess our priorities in the way we provide security
for the American people. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I
pledge to stand with President Bush in addressing our intelligence and
national security needs. We must keep Americans safe to assure our
freedoms.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a dark day in America. Today, the light of
freedom shines bright and we must move forward with confidence as the
greatest nation in the world.
May God bless those who lost their lives and comfort their families.
And, my God bless the United States of America.
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I first wish to associate myself with the
remarks of Mr. Armey and Mr. Gephardt. The partnership we have formed
and the commitment to work together on a bipartisan basis with no aisle
between us is a statement of great importance. The American people
today have an enhanced commitment to freedom and democracy, and that
commitment is directly reflected through their representatives in this
Congress.
Yesterday's heinous attacks were acts of war against the citizens of
the United States. And, the complexity of the attacks clearly points to
a well-financed and painstakingly planned operation.
As the chairman of the Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism,
Committee on Armed Services in the House, I wish to make a slightly
different point. During the past 24 hours, since the shock of viewing
the events of yesterday began to wane, the question has been asked many
times: how do we prevent this from ever happening again?
As you know, there is no simple answer. However, during our
deliberations on the panel which was established by former full
committee chairman, the late Floyd Spence, it has become abundantly
clear that there are at least five principles which must be developed
or enhanced to safeguard the future security of our great nation.
First, there is an obvious need for the development of individual
responsibility for the security of ourselves, our families, friends and
our communities. An awareness for our surroundings and potential
dangers must be understood and developed. We have heretofore existed in
a relatively safe environment, free of dangers posed by terrorism. To
some degree that may not continue to be the case.
Second, there is a need to develop ``institutional responsibility.''
That is, to take steps to insure the places we go to work and visit are
safer from violence. The Congress of the United States, as an
institution, has made important strides during the past decade in this
regard as we have safeguards in place today that did not previously
exist. This is not so with most other institutions. Obviously, there is
a need to increase institutional security at airports and in other
places. State and local governments have special responsibilities in
this regard as they are the closest to the people.
Third, to those of us who have studied this subject, it has become
apparent that a high level of intelligence information is necessary in
order to ward off terrorist acts. Simply stated, if we don't know they
are planning an attack, we have little if any chance of stopping them.
The previous administration's ban on recruiting unsavory characters and
excess reliance on electronic forms of intelligence collection prevent
us from collecting the critical human intelligence (HUMINT) that alone
can provide warning of such attacks. In regard to the most recent
event, we had no specific knowledge of the plan and disastrous results
occurred. Better resources and a better organized intelligence
operation is therefore a principle to advance.
Fourth, as President Bush pointed out in his remarks last evening,
international cooperation is an essential principle. International
terrorism simply has no borders. Government and societies are
threatened by the same groups of individuals on every continent. This
very day, we should each reach out to friends and associates in other
government's to offer our cooperation and seek theirs.
Fifth, deterrence will begin to take place when would-be terrorists
have developed a full understanding that there is a heavy price to pay
for terrorist acts. That is why I believe everyone here today agrees
that President Bush was exactly right when he said clearly: ``we hold
not only the terrorists responsible, but those who harbor and assist
them as well, and we will hunt them down. . . .''
My colleagues, today is the beginning of a new chapter in the history
of the USA. I pledge to all of you to work hand in hand together with
you to bring an end to these types of heinous events. Together, we will
make our country stronger than ever, and together we will see that
yesterday's events are never, ever repeated.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, America was faced with a gutless, cowardly
attack yesterday. Innocent people were murdered in cold blood--America
was awakened to a new type of warfare. A type of warfare that was
unfathomable to decent God-fearing people around the world.
Yet, as in the past, once awakened, together as a people, we will
rise up in defense of democracy, rise up in defense of liberty.
America was also awakened to its lost patriotism, a patriotism that
we drifted away from because of the security and prosperity this great
land of freedom has enjoyed so long.
We are a peaceful people--but we will not turn the other cheek. No
one should doubt our resolve.
As President Bush said, not only those individuals in this evil
should be targeted, but countries who support these people and these
acts must and will be punished.
It is sickening to me to see pictures of people celebrating the
deaths of innocent Americans. It is heartening to me to see the
pictures of the heroes during this opening shot of war--those who
helped others--firemen, policemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics--the
list goes on and on.
And ultimately, that is the list that will win this war.
While we mourn the growing list of victims--we must celebrate the
growing list of heroes.
Those are the ones who will win this war.
I pray for the victims and their families. I pray for our Commander-
in-Chief. I pray that justice will be ours.
Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay
tribute to those innocent lives that perished yesterday in an attack on
America's freedom. The images of collapsing skyscrapers, a burning
Pentagon, and large airplanes diving through our metropolitan skies
will scar our memories forever.
As a former law enforcement officer, I want to pay particular
attention to the thousands of police officers, firefighters, EMS
personnel, and other emergency responders who did their jobs with the
utmost professionalism during the tragedies yesterday in New York, the
Washington, DC area, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
In my 7 years as a county sheriff, never did I train for, or conceive
of a tragedy of this magnitude. Hundreds of New York City firefighters,
police officers, and other emergency personnel who were the first to
respond to the World Trade Center, were crushed in the rubble of the
collapsing buildings as they were vigorously carrying out their
mission--the mission of rescuing people.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's events may have exposed the cowardness of a
coordinated and faceless act of terror, but let us take note that it
also exposed the bravery and professionalism, the perseverance, and
heroism of
[[Page H5579]]
the many police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who continue to
do their jobs as I speak, amid the crushed vehicles and dead bodies of
their fallen brethren who were among the first responders to the
tragedy yesterday.
As we gather here to express our sadness and our anger at the tragedy
of these acts of terror, let us also be sure to express our sincere
gratitude to the emergency service personnel in each of our districts
who continue to do their jobs every day, the job of protecting our
lives and the lives of our constituents, so that we can live in an
atmosphere of confidence and safety. These men and women are true
heros, and they need to know that they are appreciated.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 61,
which condemns the cowardly terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington, DC. I commend the leadership for bringing this bipartisan,
bicameral resolution to the floor to demonstrate the resolve of our
great nation and our solidarity with the families and friends of
yesterday's victims.
Yesterday's actions were nothing short of an act of war. Although we
do not yet know who is responsible, we can be fairly certain that these
enemies of freedom and democracy were seeking to destroy our very way
of life. They certainly succeeded in bringing about death and
destruction on a massive scale, and causing terror in the hearts of
every American. But they will never succeed in breaking the spirit of
America. Our great nation will survive today, and we will continue to
stand as the beacon for democracy worldwide.
We in Congress are back at work today, carrying on the work of our
nation. Across our country, millions of Americans are carrying on with
their lives at work and in their homes. Our hearts are heavy with loss
for those who perished. But we will not panic. We will not allow some
senseless act of cowardice to deter us from our daily way of life. We
will continue to cherish the freedoms for which our forefathers fought,
and stand up even more strongly for freedom and democracy worldwide.
In stark contrast to this calculated, cowardly act of mass murder,
there were stories yesterday of spontaneous acts of courage displayed
by Americans in Washington and New York. Hundreds of the policemen,
firefighters and other rescue workers bravely risked their lives to
save the victims of the attack. As we speak today, thousands of
Americans are lining up for hours to donate blood. Many more are
volunteering in hospitals. This is the spirit of America that will
never be broken.
Mr. Speaker, ten years ago, I was a Member of the House when we stood
in solidarity against the tyranny of Saddam Hussein in the Persian
Gulf. Saddam thought he could divide our nation, but he was wrong. He
underestimated the strength, resolve and ingenuity of the American
people.
Today, ten years later, we are faced with a new enemy, perhaps even
more heinous and sinister. But, like Saddam, this enemy underestimates
our ability to recover from tragedy and arise united as an even
stronger nation. Ten years ago, I stood in this well as a Democrat,
united in support of my President and our men and women in the Armed
Forces. I do the same today, and I vow to President Bush that I will
support him in his efforts to punish those responsible for this
deplorable attack. Those who are responsible for this attack should
make no mistake--all Americans, Democrats and Republicans, stand united
behind our President, and we will bring abut justice!
Mr. Speaker, throughout the confusion of the day, the beacon atop the
Capitol dome remained illuminated. This beacon is a symbol of the
freedoms that define our great nation. The enemies of our nation can
denounce and threaten our freedoms, and periodically they can wound us,
as they did yesterday. But they will never extinguish the flame of
democracy. Freedom is the powerful, defining force that unites a
diverse people under the umbrella known as the United States of
America. Yesterday we were all touched by this awful tragedy, but today
is a new day in America, and we are stronger and more united than ever.
Mr. Speaker, God bless the families of this awful, cowardly act, and
may God continue to bless America.
Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I often rise on the floor of the House and
speak of securing America's future. As yesterday's events show, there
is much work to be done.
Yesterday, we suffered the worst terrorist assault on American soil
in the history of our country. The horror that was perpetrated by
assailants as yet unidentified, has resulted in untold death and
destruction. Regular people, with children, and parents, and brothers
and sisters went to work yesterday never suspecting that they would be
the victims of catastrophic brutality committed by enemies they never
knew. I am deeply saddened for those who lost loved ones, and I know
that we will do absolutely everything possible to rescue those still
alive but trapped in the rubble. Yesterday we saw evil at its worst.
Today, as Americans come together to donate blood, rescue the
survivors, and comfort those in mourning, we see America at its best.
The first two questions that follow this kind of unspeakable tragedy
are always who did it and why. Although we have not yet determined who
was behind the attack, we do know some things about them. The people
who did this premeditated act of violence were calculated, malicious,
and cunning. They ruthlessly turned commercial airliners filled with
innocent passengers into flying bombs. They were brazen in their
planning and determined in their execution. Their despicable act of
violence and cowardice is tantamount to an act of war, and as President
Bush said, we must marshall the full resources of the government to
hunt down and eliminate those who would use terror as a weapon. We must
redouble our efforts to ensure that the manufacturers of terror have no
place to rest, no allies willing to risk harboring them, and no hope of
ultimate success.
The United States of America is a peace loving nation; we are not a
people who are easily provoked to confrontation or war. We are slow to
anger and practice tolerance. We routinely give of our surplus food,
knowledge, and resources to others in the name of humanitarianism. We
have opened our arms to receive those fleeing from oppressive regimes
who agree with the principles of freedom and wish to join us. And to
those peoples and nations who do not agree or do not wish to join us,
we strive diligently to coexist with them peacefully in the
international community.
But there are some who are not satisfied with our decision to sustain
a society that protects life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
They refuse to embrace the virtues of freedom and have rejected the
blessings of liberty, and further, they have attempted to prevent
America from doing so.
We espouse freedom and the way we choose to govern ourselves embodies
and manifests that principle. Our society, commerce, and government are
open. And, as yesterday's attack showed, that openness can make us
vulnerable. The goal of our attackers is that we will respond by
closing our cities and society and withdraw our efforts to spread
freedom around the world so that their quest for power through
barbarism will go unchallenged. But we will remain steadfast and
continue to challenge terrorism.
And so as the dust is settling and the smoke is fading in New York
and Washington, and as we count our lost, a rage is kindling. To those
who committed this act, I say that you have not accomplished the
destruction of Democracy or dampened the light of Liberty. You have
only reminded us once again, that there is a price for freedom; but you
will surely bear that cost in full as well. You will know the fury and
scourge of a people provoked to protect their freedom and answer for
loved ones who are now dead.
Many have appropriately compared September 11, 2001 with December 7,
1941. It is worth pointing out that in distinction to the events of
1941, yesterdays attack targeted both military personnel and civilians.
And while we deal with the shock and dismay that must be similar to the
day after the events that catapulted us into World War II, I would note
the words attributed to Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto after the
Pearl Harbor attack when he said, ``I fear all we have done is to
awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with terrible resolve.''
Today I join with other Members in passing a resolution condemning
this act of terrorism and in the coming hours and days, we in Congress
will be working closely with the President to rescue survivors, honor
our dead, and dispatch the severest possible punishment to those
responsible. We have much work to do to secure the future of America,
and the principles of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H.J. Res. 61. Yesterday, September 11, 2001, a cowardly
attack of horrific proportions was perpetrated against the United
States. Words simply cannot explain the enormity and horror of what was
witnessed yesterday. It was a day of barbaric acts in striking
contrast, the darkest side perpetuating an act of cowardice and the
American resolve and heroism, of individuals rushing to rescue those
fallen by this despicable cowardly attack.
At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the
innocent Americans who were murdered or injured in the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon, and on board the airlines, in this unprovoked and
unconscionable attack on the United States.
Make no mistake; what happened Tuesday, September 11, was an act of
war, perpetrated by cowardly fanatics with no regard for life. It was
an attack against our basic freedoms and values. Our response must be
just, swift, and severe.
During this time of tragedy, the United States Congress and its
members stand strongly united behind our President, the Joint
[[Page H5580]]
Chiefs of Staff, and the nation. The United States stands prepared with
grim resolve to identify, pursue, and capture, and bring to justice the
perpetrators of these attacks. America's resolve is unwavering, with no
quarter given to those who have committed these heinous crimes and
those who harbor them. There can be no distinction between terrorist
and those nations who seek to give them sanctuary and asylum.
Yesterday, the world changed. Yesterday, humanity's innocence was
stripped away and violated in a flash of fire and the haze of
destruction. The nation will do what generations of Americans have done
before us, we will roll up our sleeves and get to work, continue the
ongoing rescue efforts, mourn those we have lost, rebuild what has been
destroyed, and seek justice for this diabolical attack on our Nation.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution.
Yesterday America lost its innocence. Never again will we feel that
we are safe from attack. I am shocked. I am horrified, I am deeply,
deeply saddened.
Make no mistake about it. Our Nation is at war. However, this is a
new kind of war where we aren't sure who is the enemy. At least one
thing is certain--our resolve is strong to find those responsible and
to punish them.
Our response must be swift, forceful, and thorough. But above all, we
must be careful that our actions do not unnecessarily increase world
tensions. Let us not fall to the barbaric level of our attackers.
I proudly represent the Dayton area, home of Wright-Patterson Air
Force Base, one of the largest military bases in the country. Every
day, tens of thousands of Dayton area citizens work to protect our
national security.
That work takes a new meaning as our Nation comes to grips with new,
urgent military requirements.
I join my constituents in offering condolences to the victims and
their families of this brutal terrorist attack. My prayers are with
them.
I am also especially thankful to the fire fighters, police officers,
rescue workers, and the military personnel who have risked their lives
to protect us.
The American spirit cannot be defeated. We will move forward to
protect our economy, our military, and our way of life.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, later this week a delegation from the
European Parliament was scheduled to meet in Chicago with an American
delegation, which I have the honor to lead, in our 53rd meeting of the
Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue. As much as we would like to
proceed in ``regular order'', the two delegations have decided that it
will be inappropriate at this time for us to meet in Chicago. Instead,
we will meet in Washington.
I want to thank the European delegation, headed by chairperson Imelda
``Mel'' Read of the United Kingdom, for a touching expression of
sympathy, solidarity, and willingness to work against terror which she
sent me yesterday, which I ask that it be inserted in the Record at
this point.
In addition, I would like to insert a statement from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament and by the Council of
Ministers of the European Union, both of which express their solidarity
with the United States.
European Parliament,
Washington, DC, September 11, 2001.
Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Ben, The members of the European Parliament delegation
for relations with the United States and myself are shocked
and horrified by the terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington.
I wish to express to you personally and to the members of
the US delegation our deepest sympathy for the innocent
victims of these attacks.
The European Parliament has repeatedly condemned in the
strongest possible terms such appalling acts and I wish to
assure you of our determination to stand by the USA in
combating terrorism.
I would also like to inform you that the European
Parliament delegation is ready to participate in any event
that may demonstrate our common resolve to continue working
together in promoting peace, security and prosperity in the
world.
Yours sincerely,
Imelda Read.
____
Statement of the European Parliament, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, Brussels, 12
September 2001
The Foreign Affairs Committee has learned with shock and
sorrow of the atrocious terrorist attack in the USA.
We join our colleagues in the US Congress and all American
people in their deep sorrow and stand united with them in
solidarity.
This terrorist act is directed against the entire
international community of democracies and their citizens.
We stand together with the USA in the fight against
international terrorism.
At the same time, we should develop a joint policy of all
democracies against any state hiding or supporting terrorism
and we should aim to overcome together the most burning
conflicts in the world.
No political reason justifies terrorism.
____
Declaration by the European Union
The Council of the European Union, meeting in special
session today, in the presence of the Secretary General of
the Atlantic Alliance, expressed its horror at yesterday's
terrorist attacks in the United States. The Council stressed
its complete solidarity with the government of the United
States and the American people at this terrible time and
extended its deepest sympathy to all the victims and their
families. We ask all Europeans to observe 3 minutes of
silence Friday, 14 September at I2h00 and we also declare 14
September 2001 a day of mourning.
These horrendous acts are an attack not only on the United
States but against humanity itself and the values and
freedoms we all share. The life and work of our open and
democratic societies will continue undeterred.
The Union utterly condemns the perpetrators and sponsors of
these acts of barbarism. The Union and its Member States will
spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and
punish those responsible; there will be no safe haven for
terrorists and their sponsors.
The Union will work closely with the United States and all
partners to combat international terrorism. All international
organizations, particularly the United Nations, must be
engaged and all relevant international instruments, including
on the financing of terrorism, must be fully implemented.
The Community and its Member States have offered to the
United States all possible assistance with search and rescue
operations. Discussions are underway to establish what help
would be most useful.
Recalling the strong and enduring ties which exist between
the European Union and the United States, the Council has
asked the Presidency to stay in close contact with the
government of the United States in order to convey this
message of solidarity.
____
September 12, 2001.
On behalf of the eight members of the British Parliamentary
Delegation in Washington Hon. Michael Connarty MP said:
Every member of our all-party delegation expresses our
deepest sympathy to the American people at this time of
tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families,
friends and communities who have lost love ones.
We unreservedly condemn these cowardly acts of terror
against innocent people. All of our delegation stand united
behind Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack
Straw in offering solidarity and help to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
On a personal level, our delegation wishes to record our
thanks to the State Department Officials who showed such
concern for our safety and welfare when we found ourselves in
the Capitol during the attack on the Pentagon.
We are impressed by the bravery and resolve of the American
people, their representatives and their government. We are
certain they will prevail.
Michael Connarty, James Clappisson, David Heath, Patsy
Calton, Baroness Walmsley, Angela Watkinson, John
Lyons, David Hamilton.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join all Americans today in
mourning the loss of so many innocent American citizens and condemning
those who planned and carried out these horrific acts of terrorism on
September 11, 2001, a day that will be forever emblazoned in the hearts
of all Americans.
This is the fourth generation type of warfare that we have long
feared, and we will employ every available resource to eradicate such
tactics from the face of the earth. We will not rest until we ferret
out those who perpetrated this infamous act and those who aided or
abetted this action.
Our nation is united in our deep sympathy and compassion for the
victims, families and friends of those who perished and were injured.
We are united in our gratitude for the heroism of rescue workers and
volunteers. And we are united in our indignation and our determination
to find and to punish those responsible for these barbaric acts of
terrorism.
Our prayers go out to the victims, their families, and for our
country at this time of national tragedy. We have been shaken by these
savage and cowardly attacks--but our resolve and our character will
never be daunted. Americans always rise to the challenge of a crisis,
and we will once again show the world what it means to be an American.
May God's grace be with the victims, their families, and with
America.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our nation witnessed one of the
most despicable acts imaginable to mankind. The senseless devastation
unleashed through these cowardly acts left every American with a sense
of lost innocence and increased fears. Today, however, our nation
stands united against not only the individuals who perpetrated the
attacks, but against those who abhor freedom and embrace such evil and
hatred.
America is a land that embraces freedom and values human life. We are
a people that
[[Page H5581]]
rush to help our fellow citizens, even at great peril to ourselves.
Yesterday, America witnessed the heroism of police, firefighters, and
bystanders who risked their own lives to help others. That is America
at its finest--a spirit that will not be broken.
While America grieves, no nation, group, or individual engaged in or
harboring terrorism should misunderstand the immense resources being
employed to identify and punish those responsible. We will find you, we
will hunt you down, and we will eliminate you.
The American people and the rest of the world must know that in times
of great pain and tragedy, America is united not divided. As we have
done countless times throughout our nation's glorious and storied
history, Americans will unit behind President Bush to ensure that
justice is served. Let us not forget the words of Japanese Admiral
Isoroku Yamamoto following the bombing of Pearl Harbor who feared he
had, ``. . . awakened a sleeping giant and instilled in him a terrible
resolve.''
We must continue to pray for those who have been impacted by this
tragedy. The families and friends of those killed and injured yesterday
need our support, comfort, assistance, and prayers for many months to
come.
Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, as we pass this Resolution in Congress today
condemning the terrorist incidents that took place in New York City and
in Washington yesterday, we are also committing ourselves to supporting
the increased resources that will be necessary to respond to this newly
enhanced threat. All of our lives have been changed as a result of the
events of September 11th, and as we reflect upon the loss of life and
the human impacts of this tragedy, let us also resolve to take the
appropriate actions to assure that we are better able to protect the
lives of American citizens in a world that has become a more dangerous
place.
In this regard, I believe there is consensus at this time among
Members of Congress to support the increased level of spending for
defense and national security in the next fiscal year. But I am
concerned, Mr. Speaker, about the real defense requirements that each
of the military services has submitted to Congress, in response to a
request from Congressman Ike Skelton earlier this year. These
``unfunded requirements'' of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the Air
Force represented the actual requests that were NOT included in the
budget for Fiscal Year 2002, submitted by President Bush in June. The
total amount of that listing of unfunded requirements submitted to
Congress was $32.4 billion, and when the President's budget was
submitted to Congress in June, it accounted for NONE of these urgent
requests from the services.
Therefore, as we debate the defense authorization and defense
appropriations bills in the aftermath of yesterday's tragedies, I
believe it would be helpful for the Members of the House to review a
summary of the list of unfunded requirements. I believe this listing
details the kind of expenditures that we have postponed for too long.
At this time, I believe the real national security need is closer to
the actual requests that were made by the Joint Chiefs, and I my
colleagues to support a more responsible level of defense spending for
the next fiscal year. Following are some of the highlights of the
listing of Unfunded Defense Requirements for the next fiscal year.
army
Equipment Recapitalization: The Army needs $421 million to
recapitalize its Apache and Chinook Helicopters and its Abrams tanks
and Multiple Launch Rocket systems.
Comanche: The Army needs $52.3 million to support its Comanche
program at the minimum sustainable level. The Army has identified
Comanche as its first Transformational program.
Army Data Distribution System (ADDS): The Army needs $124.5 million
to upgrade and maintain its data distribution and communications
networks in support of more rapid deployments and operations.
SINCGARS: The Army needs $17.6 million just to buy the required
numbers of the baseline SINCGARS radio.
Information Systems Security: The Army needs $48.6 million to upgrade
and ensure the security of its information systems.
HMMWVs: The Army needs $264 million to purchase 4000 HMMWVs to cover
unit shortages.
Heaters: The Army needs $22 million to replace unsafe heaters used in
field encampments by deployed troops.
navy and marine corps
Defense Message System (DMS) Transition: The navy has a shortfall of
$15 million because the new Defense Message System (DMS) cannot support
the Navy's special handling and Emergency Action Messages. The Navy has
to maintain two messaging networks to handle its highest priority
communications as a result, and this requirement is unfunded.
Close-In-Weapons-System (CIWS): The Navy needs $85 million to fully
fund upgrades to the Close-In-Weapons-System on Navy ships. This system
defends against small fast moving boats and both slow and high speed
missiles and aircraft.
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM): The Navy needs $121 million to fully
fund the RAM missile which protects Navy ships from Anti-Ship Cruise
Missiles.
F-A 18 E/F: The Navy needs an additional $390 million to buy 7 more
F/A 18s than currently planned. The average age of Navy planes is now
on course to exceed the average age of its ships, an astonishing and
troubling problem. The Navy must recapitalize its air fleet.
EA-6B Jammers: The Navy needs $15 million to replace 57 jammer pods
that are obsolete. These aircraft protect attack aircraft from Surface
to Air Missiles (SAMs)
Spares: The Navy needs $294 million to fund Spare Parts
Training: The Navy needs $30 million to fund 2 additional trainer
aircraft for training Navy pilots and $123 million for live and inert
training ordnance
Integrated Defense Electronic Counter Measures (IDECM): The Navy
needs $45 million to equip this year's F/A 18 E&F fighters with the
IDECM system which protect these aircraft from Surface to Air Missiles
(SAMs)
Air Force
Wartime Reserve Munitions Replenishment: The Air Force needs $362
million to replenish its stocks of ammunitions, bombs, warheads,
missiles, and guidance kits of all of its armaments.
Readiness Spares: The Air Force needs $46.5 million to fully equip
its readiness spares kits
Link 16: The Air Force needs $232.8 million to procure and install
the Link-16 network capability on its Command and Control Aircraft (the
AWACS and JSTARS) and 10% of its strike force to ensure that these
aircraft can be updated with the latest information on threats and
targets while in the air.
Global Air Traffic Management (GATM): The Air Force needs $50.9
million to equip its C-130, KC-10, and C-12 airlift fleet with the
Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) which is required for safe flight
in commercial airspace.
Time Critical Targeting: The Air Force needs $291 million for network
and planning tools and communications upgrades to allow planning of air
campaigns capable of attacking time critical targets as they are
identified.
Bomber Upgrades: The Air Force needs $730.7 million to fund upgrades
to its workhorse bomber fleet that delivers a majority of all bombs and
missiles. These aircraft are projected to have service lives of up to
80 years, and this funding is needed to keep them operating and as
capable as possible.
Fighter Upgrades: The Air Force needs $640.9 million to fund upgrades
to the A-10, F-15, and F-16 fighters to upgrade avionics, increase
reliability and mission capable rates, and enhance survivability
Stored Munitions: The Air Force needs $127 million to replace
obsolete munitions that are prepositioned overseas with modern
precision guided munitions.
Fighter Self Protection: The Air Force needs $45 million for
electronic self protection measures on the A-10 & F-16, and accelerate
development of a towed decoy for the F-15.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the rest of my
colleagues to condemn the terrorist attack on the United States and to
express my sympathy to the victims of this horrific action. The
destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was a frontal
assault on the United States, our people, and our way of life.
Democracy and freedom will not yield to these cowardly acts. I have
great faith in the citizens of this country, and the heroic and
selfless acts witnessed in response to this tragedy are a testament to
the strength of the American people.
We stand here today to further demonstrate the resolve of this great
nation. The government is functioning normally, and Congress is in
session. We come together today, Democrats and Republicans, to send the
unmistakable message to the world that this country will not give in to
terrorism. We will support the President and authorize any action
necessary--employing all of the resources at the disposal of the U.S.
government--to identify, track down, and bring to justice the
perpetrators of this despicable act.
The attack yesterday was the single worst terrorist event in U.S.
history. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 claimed 2,400 lives.
Estimates indicate that thousands of lives were lost yesterday. My
prayers are with the victims and their families, as they deal with the
impact of their loss. It will take some time to fully understand the
human toll that was exacted on September 11, 2001. But we already know
that the United States will stand tall and survive, with liberty and
justice for all, now and forever.
Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in sadness
and anger, as our nation has paid severely for its love for freedom.
Yesterday, those who have long practiced terror against the innocent
revealed that
[[Page H5582]]
their capacity for evil truly knows no bounds. They struck at America
because America embodies what they hate: prosperity born of liberty;
the triumph of diversity; and the pursuit of justice at home and
abroad.
While the entire nation mourns the loss of innocent life, many
families in Massachusetts are experiencing loss on a personal level as
two of the airplanes used in this attack began their journey in Boston.
My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost friends and loved
ones too young, too soon. No words of sympathy can ease their pain; no
acts can restore what they have lost. Our responsibility to them above
all is to honor and recall those who died and bring those responsible
for their deaths to justice.
Those who visit violence on citizens of this nation will feel
America's might. We pursue them without joy but with a firm resolve to
prevent future tragedy.
Today is a day for mourning and remembrance. In the days to come, we
must take a hard look at the state of our defenses against terrorism.
It is a delicate task to prevent terror while preserving the civil
liberties that have long distinguished our nation. We must rededicate
ourselves to finding a balance that both protects and empowers the
American people. And we must never, ever let down our guard.
Terrorism may spill blood on our shores. But it cannot extinguish our
nation's faith in the principles which motivated its founding and have
guided its history. America will endure, stronger tomorrow than today,
ever a beacon of hope and inspiration to the entire world.
While I recognize that this list may be incomplete, I wish to honor
and remember the men, women and children of Massachusetts who died at
the hands of terror yesterday, and whose names will forever testify to
America's commitment to freedom:
John Ogonowski, Dracut, Mass.
Anna Williams Allison, Stoneham, Mass.
Robin Caplin, Natick, Mass.
Jeffrey Coombs, Abington, Mass.
Tara Creamer, Worcester, Mass.
David DiMeglio, Wakefield, Mass.
Paige Farley Hackel, Newton, Mass.
Alex Filipov, Concord, Mass.
Karleton D.B. Fyfe, Brookline, Mass.
Peter Gay, Tewksbury, Mass.
Ted Hennessey, Belmont, Mass.
Charles Jones, Bedford, Mass.
Daniel C. Lewin.
Chris Mello, Boston, Mass.
Laura Lee Morabito, Framingham, Mass.
Jane Orth, Haverhill, Mass.
David Retik, Needham, Mass.
Richard Ross, Newton, Mass.
Bill Weems, Marblehead, Mass.
Garnet ``Ace'' Bailey, Lynnfield, Mass.
Mark Bavis, West Newton, Mass.
John Cahill, Wellesley, Mass.
Lynn Goodchild, Attleboro, Mass.
Peter Hanson, Massachusetts.
Susan Hanson, Massachusetts.
Christine Hanson, Massachusetts.
James E. Hayden, Westford, Mass.
Ruth McCourt, Westford, Mass.
Juliana Valentine McCourt, Westford, Mass.
Jesus Sanchez, Hudson, Mass.
Brian D. Sweeney, Barnstable, Mass.
Patrick J. Quigley IV, Wellesley, Mass.
Jessica Sachs, Billerica, Mass.
Alex Filipov, Concord, Mass.
Kenneth Waldie, Methuen, Mass.
Peter Hashem, Tewksbury, Mass.
Betty Ong, Andover Mass.
Douglas Gowell, Methuen, Mass.
Frederick Rimmele, Marblehead, Mass.
Robert Jalbert, Swampscott, Mass.
Dianne Snyder, Westport, Mass.
Louis Neal Mariani, formerly of Dracut, Mass.
Marie Pappalardo, formerly of Methuen and Lawrence, Mass.
Memories of them will always be with us.
Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in shock, horror, and
outrage over the indescribable tragedy that has engulfed our nation.
Yesterday, extremists hijacked our own domestic airplanes and used
them as missiles in a horrific terrorist attack against the symbols of
American economic and military strength.
No words can fully describe the sense of loss that we and other
members of our American family feel. The lives of thousands of families
were shattered among yesterday's rubble and we grieve with them.
No American was left untouched by yesterday's quiet heroes who put
their own lives at risk. From the employee of the World Trade Center
who carried a disabled woman on his back down dozens of floors to
safety, to the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives
running into burning buildings, to airplane passengers who performed
tremendous acts of heroism that will forever remain unsung, to the
thousands who gave blood and volunteered to help in any way they could.
There are so many examples of selfless acts by Americans who, despite
their own crises, looked to ease the tragedy of those around them.
We also cannot forget the courage of tens of thousands of federal
employees who reported for work today despite the fear and
vulnerability they cannot help but feel.
Yesterday's terrorist attack was an act of pure evil, but the
foundations of American democracy remain intact and strong. As
incomprehensible as it is to understand how our lives will be changed,
one thing is certain--the United States Government will seek out those
responsible, avenge these attacks, and take fierce retribution against
the cowards who are responsible.
America is at war. We will remain vigilant and we trust that all
civilized nations of the world will join us in our determined fight to
uphold democracy and the rule of law.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, America grieves for the victims of these
terrorist attacks, and for their families and friends. Our prayers are
with them and our hearts go out to those who have endured unbearable
loss. Our most hopeful thoughts are with those who have risked their
lives in heroic rescue efforts. In this grim moment, we must be
resolute in protecting the fabric of our democracy and the individual
freedoms that make America a great nation. As we grieve, we cannot let
terrorists win by turning the United States into a police state.
America must remain calm because such calm is essential to preserving
our liberties. America must bring to justice those responsible for
these cowardly deeds. We must be cautious about rolling back freedoms
at home or placing blame in the wrong place.
America must continue to be a beacon of democracy for the world. Let
this sad moment cause all governments and all people of good will
around the world to unite and to move together to challenge and uproot
those who have destructive goals which seek to create death and drive
the world toward chaos. Now, more than ever, America must continue to
be a force for peace in the world. We must not let the terrorists win.
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today we come together as a nation to mourn
the victims of yesterday's abominable terrorist attacks, offer our
deepest condolences to their families and friends, honor the courageous
rescue workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and condemn in
the strongest possible terms those responsible for these monstrous
acts.
No words can adequately express our shock, our sadness, and our
tremendous loss from this terrible tragedy. The great promise of the
new millennium has been forever tarnished by these unfathomable acts of
barbarism.
It is almost impossible to comprehend the hatred that motivated the
perpetrators to take the lives of so many innocent men, women and
children. This was truly an act of pure evil.
We must never forget these heinous attacks and the many victims that
perished. But even as we ponder the sheet horror of yesterday's events,
we must not allow ourselves to become paralyzed by fear and
apprehension. This is exactly what the terrorist hoped to achieve. We
must deny them any semblance of victory.
In these trying times, we are once again reminded of the strength and
fortitude of the American people, and the power of our shared beliefs
in freedom, liberty and justice. The firefighters and police officers
who sacrificed their lives to help those in need, the thousands of
people lining up around the country to donate blood, and the countless
others that have come forward to offer assistance typify the essence of
the American spirit. This is something no terrorist attack can even
extinguish.
We will spare no effort or expense in tracking down the cowardly
thugs responsible for planning and carrying out these unprecedented
attacks. There will be no place for them to hide, no sanctuary in which
they can cower. We will seek them out wherever they are and see that
justice is done.
If our enemies believed that the American people would shrink in the
face of terror, then they were wrong. Instead, they will learn--as our
foes have learned in the past--that adversity only strengthens our
resolve. We will fight and win the war against international terrorism,
and from this battle will emerge a strong, safer American and a more
secure, freer world.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday America walked through the eye of
terror's perfect storm.
Thousands of American families were hideously drafted into a war that
they, and most of us, only dimly perceived and little understood.
But today we emerge from the ashes of hate and the horror of evil
reminded that America has an historical mission in the world--to hold
up freedom's light and defend it against every and all attempts to
snuff it out.
William Lloyd Garrison once said: With reasonable men, I will reason,
with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter,
nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost.
Today, the Congress is saying, for the world to hear, that: With
reasonable men we will
[[Page H5583]]
reason; With humane men we will plead; but to agents of modern terror,
we will give no quarter nor waste our arguments.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, September 11, 2001, the most
horrific terrorist attack in the history of the world was perpetrated
against the people of the United States of America. Some have compared
this attack to Pearl Harbor, but I do not. While Pearl Harbor was
awful, it was a surprise attack against a military installation.
Yesterday's cowardly attack was targeted solely against civilians. This
was no Pearl Harbor, but something far worse.
Our nation, especially the people of New York City, are not in a
position to begin to understand the catastrophic amount of death and
grief which this one day has wrought upon us. It will take time before
many of us can fully evaluate the true atrocities that have taken place
and begin the process of absorbing and then accepting the events of
September 11, 2001. But no one was untouched by these events. All of
our lives have been altered forever.
I was in New York at the time of the attack on the World Trade Center
and saw with my own eyes the complete destruction that befell a once
great structure. Worse than that, I saw the trauma on the faces of the
people who may never see or speak to their loved ones again.
What we have witnessed are unforgettable sights. For the rest of our
lives, and beyond, people with watch video of a plane crashing into the
World Trade Center, of the Pentagon burning uncontrollably, and perhaps
most terrible of all, two one hundred-ten story buildings tumbling to
the earth. These are horrible images, burned forever into the American
conscious.
But beyond those ghastly sights, yesterday also provided us with
sights I will never forget. Inspirational visions of Americans coming
together to help fight these cowardly acts; coming together to show
that even though terrorists can bring down buildings, terrorism cannot
defeat the freedom and patriotism in the hearts of all Americans.
People commonly saw how hard and cynical New Yorkers are--but yesterday
New Yorkers lined up to give blood, donate supplies and cook meals to
help the rescuers and the rescued alike. New York's firemen and
policemen came to the rescue and saved many lives, while sacrificing
far too many of their own.
These acts of compassion have brought our nation together.
Every member of this body will come out today and denounce these
events, calling upon our government to strike back, and show that we
will not bow down to terrorism, that the people of the United States
will fight back against whatever terrorists throw our way.
As I watched the people lining up to give blood, and heard the
outspoken anger of people across this country on every news station, I
realized that America has already begun to strike back. The way
terrorists win is to frighten innocent people, to make them change
their lives. The American people have demonstrated a complete
unwillingness to let that happen.
Mr. Speaker, we grieve for the thousands of people who lost their
lives in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, and my heartfelt
sympathy goes out to all of the families throughout our country who are
today mourning a missing loved one. But we do not grieve for America or
for the ideas of freedom upon which our country is based. They continue
to thrive and without a doubt, they will guide us through these
troubled times.
May God bless America and all Americans.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 will long stand as
one of the darkest days in U.S. history. But in the aftermath of those
heinous attacks on our nation, the world has seen us in what may well
be our finest hours.
With each passing hour after of the attacks on our nation's most
enduring symbols, we learned about Americans reaching out to help their
neighbors. All across the land, people were lining up to donate blood,
giving their time at hospitals to treat victims and offering an untold
amount of assets to the common cause of the disaster recovery. And we
now know that the earliest heroes of this unprecedented tragedy even
sacrificed their lives to spare far more Americans and their government
from further horror. We thank all those who have risen to the
challenge, and the many more sure to come to our aid in this time of
crisis. You all exemplify what is best about our country and why we
endure in good times and bad.
Diverse and independent as we Americans are, we have never lost our
underlying national unity. Our freedoms allow us to question other's
views, and to publicly criticize our government. We are able to
challenge the underlying principles of every public policy, and we are
proud to do so for all Americans and the world to view. Some perceive
those differences of opinion as a sign of weakness to be exploited, but
they are what weave together the broad tapestry that is America and
allows it to thrive as a superpower.
Indeed, we are a people of many heritages, customs, religions and
political viewpoints. It is not surprising that we have often found
ourselves disagreeing on social policies, programs and personal value
issues. But no one should mistake that for a lack of the most important
traditional ``family value'' of all--that as Americans.
No matter what our religious beliefs, we can join together for a
moment of silence. We can still pray together for friends, neighbors,
our community and our country. No matter where we stand on any raging
debate of the day, we are still able to start each ballgame standing
together to sing the national anthem. Despite our political
differences, all members in the House of Representatives and students
across America start each day together saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
And even when we disagree with our government, citizens still fly the
American flag with pride. And yes, we can even reach fever pitch
debating the federal budget and our economic future. But in the end we
work together trying to develop a plan that will best protect our
future. And we have seen just that in recent weeks. The ties that bind
us may be flexible, but they are stronger than ever. It should be clear
today that we will always join together when our national security is
threatened, and we will do what is necessary to protect our interests.
Unfortunately, some individuals are more committed to extremism in
the name of religion rather than freedom. They will go to any lengths
to achieve their goals and show their commitment to the cause.
Undercutting adversaries--whether real or perceived--is more important
than abiding by the laws of their religion. They are threatened by the
United States, and our willingness to defend other freedom-loving
people under seige. But they are not able to take us on in the open, in
the naked light of world opinion, because they know they are destined
to lose that battle. And they don't have the capability or he human
resources to confront us military. So they strike out in the kind of
cowardly acts of violence we saw yesterday--seeking desperate revenge
on those who challenge them and hoping to undermine our will.
It should be clear to everyone following this tragedy that the
terrorists have not succeeded in their suicide mission. In fact, world
opinion has totally turned against them. Those who supported this
deadly mission and any future would-be terrorists need to understand
one thing: their attempts to undermine us has only strengthened our
resolve to protect our interests. And protect them we will.
Our nation is grieving its losses, and I share in offering my
sympathy to the many families and neighbors who have lost loved ones to
this senseless crime against humanity. We are grateful for the many
individuals who have come to the aid of their fellow citizens, and are
humbled by the acts large and small. But as we respond to this tragedy,
we will not ignore the need to protect our security interests. We will
stand one hundred percent behind our government in its efforts to
respond. Rest assured, we will dedicate no less effort or resources to
tracking down the perpetrators of these deadly attacks than we have to
the humanitarian cause. We will exact a price for those who acted
against our country and all who enabled them--wherever they may be. We
will not relent until we are satisfied that all have been accounted for
and brought to justice, and that the world understands that the cost of
threatening our freedoms is too high.
Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, yesterday will forever mar American history.
We will long remember the horrible tragedy that was inflicted on
thousands of innocent men, women and children. While the hearts and
prayers of our nation go out to the victims and their families, we must
very firmly fix our sights on finding those responsible.
They must be brought to justice and they must pay the price. In
listening to the President's address last evening, I wholeheartedly
endorse his statement that any persons, groups or nations that played a
role in either carrying out these horrific deeds or sheltering those
who are responsible must be held accountable.
The World Trade Center has been a target of terrorism in the past. We
have been warned that major terrorist activities would occur on U.S.
soil. Yesterday's attack required sophisticated planning and
coordination. Dozens, if not hundreds of people, had to be part of the
plot to bring these attacks into fruition. Others clearly assisted the
terrorists. They must be found and they must be punished.
We must not let any stone go unturned. We must follow any path
wherever it takes us and clearly determine responsibility for these
horrendous acts. Then, we must act swiftly and decisively. Anyone who
thinks they can commit barbarous acts such as these must feel the full
weight of the American people.
Today we stand as one. We are Americans--united and strong in our
resolve. Let no person, group or nation misunderstand that.
[[Page H5584]]
As tragic as yesterday's events are, we must learn from them and look
at America's intelligence and security apparatus with an objective eye.
Our intelligence and security agencies must be reviewed from the
perspective of how we failed to sense that a terrorist operation this
large was underfoot, and how our airport security could break down so
completely.
We must ask ourselves hard questions and then come up with honest
answers. We owe that much and more to the victims, their families and
the American people. While we grieve for our losses we must ensure they
can never happen again.
Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in response to this
attack on our American way of life and to this affront on our rights to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
On behalf of the people of Kansas, we offer our prayers and support
to those searching for survivors in the rubble and fighting the still
smoldering fires in New York and at the Pentagon. We also want to offer
deepest sympathies to those families suffering the loss of a loved one.
And, to all of us as Americans who are feeling a loss of safety and
security, I want to share the words found in the Bible in Daniel 3:17
which says,
If we are thrown into the fire, the God we serve is able to
deliver us from it.
I also offer these words to those who played any part in perpetrating
this terrible act and want to put each and every one of them on notice
that deliverance also means that justice will be served. We will
dedicate every resource and every fiber of our being to making it so.
Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, tonight, America is united in mourning
those lost in the faceless and cowardly attacks on Americans in our
nation. During this most difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are
with the victims, families, law enforcement, and medical professionals
that have been directly touched by this horrible tragedy.
But even as we try to make sense of what can only be described as a
senseless act of hatred, we must remain strong, vigilant, and
unwavering in our commitment to fight tyranny at every turn. And as the
President said our response will be swift--against those who carried
out the acts and those who harbor them as well. In doing so, together
we will work to bring the cowards responsible for these despicable
actions to justice.
We have seen unspeakable horror and evil. Today, we stand with
resolve and purpose to preserve justice, freedom, and democracy--the
very foundation of our great nation.
Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to fully support
this joint resolution today condemning the horrible acts of terrorism
committed against the United States on September 11, 2001.
I am both saddened and angered by yesterday's events. Like most
Americans, I have been watching these events in disbelief, and praying
for the families, the victims, the rescue workers, and those
responsible for finding the guilty parties. I, along with the people of
the Third District of Oklahoma, send condolences and prayers to those
affected by these senseless and cowardly attacks.
Make no mistake: our Nation is at war. The acts that were perpetrated
against the United States yesterday were a willful act of destruction
to destabilize our American democracy. The acts were meant to threaten
our freedom. In fact, they have failed.
The American people will not be intimidated by the threats of
faceless, cowardly terrorists. We will not live in fear. Our attackers
have underestimated the will and resolve of the American people. The
country is united today more strongly than before yesterday's terrorist
attack. We are united in our purpose: to hunt down and eliminate the
individuals and organizations who commit, support, and ferment these
acts of evil. We will not rest until we find and destroy all of the
terrorists who are responsible for committing these acts.
A free Nation cannot be truly free until the threat of terrorism is
extinguished. Any our Nation will be free--the United States of
America--shall pay whatever the price to remain free.
Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, as we move from the shock and anger of
yesterday's terrorist attack, we must take action to protect every
American.
We suffered an intelligence failure similar to Pearl Harbor. We must
identify how our intelligence missed the planning for this attack and
correct the problem. We must lift restrictions on our agents operating
abroad and provide them with the tools they need to defeat terrorists
who attack Americans.
Our aviation security system also failed. We need sky marshals on
every flight while applying the lessons from airlines like Israel's El
Al that operate safely under terrorist threat. We will work with
manufacturers, airlines and pilots to secure cockpits from any attempt
to commandeer the aircraft.
Our military and intelligence establishment won the cold war, but
must now be reformed to master the threats of a new century. Terrorism,
weapons of mass destruction, cyber-attack and ballistic missiles are
the new threats to our freedom.
We must build a Global Alliance Against Terrorism with our key allies
in NATO, the Middle East and Asia. If this attack was delivered by
foreign terrorists, we will hunt them down. Terrorists cannot operate
without the support of governments. if we find a foreign government
provided aid for this attack, that government will face the full might
of the U.S. military and our allies.
Our grandfathers and mothers of the Greatest Generation responded to
Pearl Harbor's call. This is our time. Standing behind our President
and our government, we will protect the American people, our allies and
the ideals we hold dear.
Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, at 9:43 A.M. on Tuesday, September 11, 2001,
I was atop the United States Capitol giving a tour of the Capitol Dome
when I saw a burst of fire, then a mushroom cloud and smoke billowing
out of the Pentagon.
At first, I though the explosion occurred in nearby housing
developments. It could not be the Pentagon. But no, it was much too
close. The Pentagon was on fire.
I left my office exactly one minute before the second airliner
crashed into the World Trade Center, and I did not know at first that
the United States had been the victim of terrorist attacks. Quickly,
though, I could see that something was terribly wrong and was ushered
out of the Capitol to safety.
Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened at the events of that
day. These were senseless and cowardly attacks on our freedom and our
liberty. These acts will not go unpunished.
We, as Americans, have a tremendous ability to join together and
unite in times of need. We have seen this in the record number of
citizens throughout the nation rushing to blood banks to donate blood.
My district office in Stockton, California, has been flooded with calls
from people wanting to help.
In 1994, when we were faced with the potential of sending United
States forces into Bosnia, and again in 1998 facing a potential
conflict with Iraq, I presented five parameters to guide decisions to
commit our armed forces to overseas conflict. We must:
1. Protect territories belonging to the United States.
2. Preserve our political and economic system from foreign
threats.
3. Keep sea lanes open for trade, and maintain free and
voluntary trade between the United States and trading
partners.
4. Prevent domination of strategic areas of the globe by
powers hostile to the existence and interests of the United
States.
5. Safeguard Americans and their property from acts of
terrorism.
These acts have hurt each and every one of us, but our resolve is
unshaken and our courage as a people is solid. And so, our duty as a
nation is to unite behind President George W. Bush to take whatever
steps necessary to apprehend these cowardly thugs and bring a swift and
just punishment.
To the families, who have either received the news of the death of a
loved one, or are holding out hope that their loved one will be
recovered safely, my prayers, and the prayers of all Americans are with
you. I knew one of the victims, and understand the pain.
I stand firmly behind our President in this hour of crisis. The
United States of America will continue to shine as a beacon of hope and
freedom to nations throughout the world. There is nothing any terrorist
can ever do to change our Democracy.
May God bless America.
Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor
of the bipartisan resolution sponsored by the House Majority and
Minority Leaders. Let me begin by expressing my profound sorrow and
deepest sympathy to the friends and families who have lost loved ones
in this tragic attack, or who are awaiting word of their friend or
family member's well being. I commend the efforts of the rescue workers
and volunteers who are working around the clock to aid and assist the
victims. Our Missouri FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team will arrive in
New York today to lend their expertise. Members of Congress and their
staff will be donating blood tomorrow to ensure survivors have this
vital resource. Our collective grief as a body is enormous and
impossible to quantify. We stand united behind our President. Just as
we rebuilt our belief in our NASA space program following the 1986
tragedy when the orbiter Challenger exploded after launch killing all
crew including teacher Christa McAuliffe, we can come together as a
people and strengthen our national security and work internationally to
rid the world of terrorist attacks in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I join with you and all members to remember the victims
of the terrorist attacks in New York City, rural Pennsylvania, and at
the Pentagon by observing this day, September 12, as a national day of
unity and
[[Page H5585]]
mourning as called for in this resolution. For the Record, I submit a
number of personal reflections from members of my congressional staff.
Jon Atlas, Legislative Correspondent:
In the wake of this disaster, our challenges are threefold:
First of all, we must continue to locate survivors of the
attack and work to comfort the friends and families of those
most affected. My heart goes out to all those whose family
and friends have lost their lives or are still missing in the
rubble. In this darkest of moments in history. I am
encouraged to know that rescue workers from around the
country have convened upon New York for no personal gain, but
rather to help save the lives of their fellow Americans. This
heroism is an example of our country greatest assets: our
spirit. In the face of this tragedy, our country will come
together: to help our neighbors cope, to ease the suffering,
and to restore American confidence. After watching
yesterday's rescue efforts unfold, I'm extremely honored to
call myself an American knowing that people with such a grand
spirit live within our borders. Secondly, we must ensure that
we prevent future acts of terror from reaching American soil.
The terrorists knew of our security weakness, and we must
close these holes. Our airports must be safe, our roads must
be safe, and our borders must be safe. One major area of
concern for me is that in an age of immeasurable
technological advancement, it is possible for a commercial
jumbo jet to simply ``disappear'' from FAA communication.
Each plane in the air should be accounted for at all time. By
restoring the secure feeling to which we have become
accustomed, America will proceed down the road of prosperity.
Finally, we must seek out those who have shattered the dreams
of so many innocent travelers, business people and federal
employees and punish them for their heinous act. Soon,
foreign governments will understand the consequences of
harboring terrorists. The United States will send a clear
message that these types of actions against our citizens will
not be tolerated or forgotten. Yesterday's victims go beyond
those within the area of the direct attack. America's
freedoms and way of life were under siege, but our ideals
held up. This morning, seeing the Capitol building with the
flags flying made me realize our country will not fold under
such massive disasters. Our citizens may have been attacked,
but our democracy will persevere.
Nicki Cardwell, District Aide:
From the heartland we send our hearts, prayers and support
for our fellow Americans personally suffering from this
terrible atrocity. In American tradition we will continue
with our daily work with heavy hearts and a quiet
determination to preserve the freedom that this country
represents. This injustice has raised an awareness of how
vulnerable people of a free nation can be and we will
preserver as generations before us.
Evan Pickford, Legislative Correspondent:
The terrorist attack yesterday was an incredibly sad event
for everyone in our country, particularly the families and
friends of the many victims of the attack. I feel incredibly
fortunate that everyone close to me lived through the
incident, but I am still deeply saddened by this tragedy. My
utmost condolences go out to everyone who was hurt or lost a
loved one from this terrible crime, and I hope for swift
action to punish those responsible for these incidents. I
hope that this tragedy brings together those survivors to
show their love for each other and their appreciation of the
value of human life.
Beth Rosenberg, Legislative Assistant:
September 11, 2001 will live forever in American history as
a day of infamy. Yesterday our country was victimized. New
York City and the Pentagon were transformed into scenes from
a war movie, and the United States witnessed events of a
magnitude never before seen in our country. While our country
was slowed yesterday by these incredulous attacks, we were
not stopped. As Congress convenes today, we demonstrate our
nation's resolve and our ability to rally together as we
condemn the perpetrators of these heinous acts. From Los
Angeles to Washington, DC, Miami to New York, business in the
United States will continue as usual. We will go on. We will
survive. Today, as we begin another chapter of America's
history, let us remember the innocent lives lost in
yesterday's tragedy. Let our hearts be with their families
and friends, and let our minds be on rebuilding our country.
Scott Stark, Special Assistant:
Broken buildings and shattered lives cannot shake the
foundation of America. We are stronger than any act of
terrorism and greater than any sneak attack could ever be. We
cannot and will not be intimidated by terrorists. Indeed, we
will continue to stand tall as a shining beacon of freedom
through the world. Our government is still running, our
American leadership is united and committed, and our
resolution is only strengthened by these acts of cowardice.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, America suffered the most heinous acts
of violence and cowardice in her history yesterday, and it is with both
a heavy heart and a strong will that I address this body here today.
As we mourn the loss of yesterday's victims and offer our hopes and
prayers to the families that have been shattered, it is important that
the United States remain resolute. Our friends and enemies alike must
understand that we will not, under any circumstances, be divided by
terror or deterred from the defense of freedom here and abroad. Our
spirits will not be broken, nor will the resiliency of this nation.
This nation, and this Congress, will unite behind our President to
deliver this message to the world with swift and certain punishment for
those who committed this crime against freedom.
In the meantime, I am moved by the country's outpouring of love,
support, and assistance in this time of need. And to those who
anxiously await and anguish over the unknown fate of their loved ones
in New York and here in Washington--I hope you can find some comfort in
Ezekial 34:11-13:
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will
search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks
after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I
look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places
where they were scattered . . . and I will bring them into
their own land.
God bless America.
Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable Chairman for
yielding me this time.
Today, first and foremost, our hearts go out to the victims and
families affected by yesterday's sad and shocking attacks. The stories
of tragedy, and the compelling stories of heroism, that have begun to
emerge from the smoke and shattered buildings will forever be a part of
this black day that has been burned into our national memory.
But let these days that follow be remembered not just for our sadness
and anger, but for our national resolve. As a nation, we must now pull
together to overcome this vicious attempt to break our national spirit.
Those responsible for yesterday's horrific events have seriously
miscalculated the strength and resolve of Americans. Our sense of
security may be temporarily unsteadied, but our unity is emboldened.
Our bonds of liberty, our bonds of freedom, our bonds of democracy are
stronger and run deeper than any individual, than any building, than
any monument. No act of violence, no knives or sharpened razors, can
sever them. We will not be intimidated by cowards.
We will remain committed until those responsible learn the steep cost
of taking innocent lives--innocent American lives--on American soil.
The flame of liberty remains bright and will continue to shine upon the
world, casting deep into that dark shadows of violence, intolerance,
and extremism. There will be no corner of the earth where the demons of
September 11th will be safe from justice.
For now, we must go on with our daily lives because to do otherwise
would be giving in to the evil behind these events. In our schools and
offices, in our neighborhoods and churches, we must begin the healing
process.
I urge my fellow Americans to donate blood, to volunteer, and offer
their prayers and assistance of help to those in need.
And as America recovers, we will also pursue our attackers and fight
on. Mr. Speaker, we are at war with the most vicious, most cowardly,
and most wicked enemy we have faced as a nation. But America ``will not
go gentle into that good night.'' For those we have lost and for the
future of our nation and the freedom we hold dear--we will strive, we
will persevere, and we will prevail.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the nation witnessed
an evil, unspeakable act by an evil, despicable, and cowardly enemy.
The terrorists who perpetrated these atrocities upon the United States,
killing perhaps thousands of innocent people, shall have no place to
hide. I am confident that this Congress will support whatever action
the President and his national-security team deem necessary to allow
our military and law-enforcement officials to bring these terrorists to
justice.
By now, we are all aware of the scope of this national tragedy. In
light of this, we have pulled together as a country, demonstrating our
resolve to the world that such actions against this nation will not
stand. The people of Indiana have joined their fellow Americans, and
indeed men and women of goodwill from around the world, to pray for
peace, calm, and justice. Our hearts go out to the victims, their
friends, and their families.''
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my profound sympathy for
the victims of this terrible tragedy and their families and friends. I
cannot begin to imagine their pain, but my thoughts and prayers, and
the thoughts and prayers of men and women across America are with them
during this difficult time.
It is hard to find words to express the sadness and outrage I feel
over this heinous act of terrorism and cowardice. This is an assault on
democracy and the very freedom that, until yesterday, many of us took
for granted. We must stand together to protect our freedom and to
ensure that the forces of terror do not diminish our spirit.
Congress and the President must now work together in a bipartisan
fashion to make sure
[[Page H5586]]
that our nation has the resources it needs to overcome this tragedy,
and to bring those responsible for these terrible crimes to justice.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to
express my condolences to the families of all the victims of
yesterday's terrorist attacks. The attacks that destroyed the World
Trade Center, damaged our Pentagon, destroyed four aircraft and claimed
thousands of lives shall not divide us. This is one of the worst
tragedies for the world community. The attempt of the actors on
yesterday was to strike a blow to democracy and freedom. They will not
succeed. We as a world community must unite and condemn terrorism
wherever and whenever it occurs. The world community has a
responsibility to promote peace and encourage diplomacy. We also have a
responsibility to bring to justice those responsible for terrorist
acts.
On behalf of all my constituents I want to commend the action of all
the rescue workers, volunteers, hospital personnel and others who
triumph over tragedy by their actions. Rescue workers who did their
jobs under extraordinary conditions. Their actions and sacrifices shall
not be forgotten. The thousands of people who have lost their lives or
been injured shall not be forgotten, or overlooked.
I stand with President Bush and my colleagues in condemning this
atrocious act of terror. I urge that we bring to justice all of those
involved in yesterday's despicable terrorist attacks. Finally, I urge
that we work to make sure that communities and agencies have the
resources to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future.
God bless America.
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution.
No words can express the sorrow and outrage we all feel in the wake of
yesterday's catastrophic events. The lives of countless Americans were
forever shattered by the most barbaric act of terrorism ever committed
against the United States. My prayers and profound sympathy go to the
victims, family, and friends of those affected in yesterday's tragedy.
In a very real way, all Americans and all people who believe in freedom
were victims of these atrocities.
There is absolutely no doubt that those guilty of this vicious and
devastating attack will be hunted down and brought to justice. Any
nations or individuals harboring or assisting them in any way will be
considered equally guilty of these crimes. It is also certain that our
nation will now embark on a relentless and unprecedented worldwide
campaign to root out terrorism and those who sponsor its vicious and
craven tactics.
This national nightmare will irrevocably alter how we assess our
nation's security; and though our national psyche is imprinted forever
with these devastating symbols of hatred, the madmen who perpetrated
this act made a terrible and irreversible mistake. Ultimately, this act
of violence will not weaken America, it will strengthen our dedication
to democracy and bolster our commitment to keeping all Americans safe
and free. We will reaffirm our Nation's fundamental values, and we will
be stronger than ever.
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this day of grief and mourning to
offer my condolences and prayers to all those who lost loved ones
during yesterday's heinous and cowardly attack. Our nation stands with
you, committed and resolute. Our prayers and hearts are also with the
brave men and women of law enforcement and fire rescue. These heroic
and fearless professionals have made America proud. We owe you our
gratitude and thanks, and we will be forever grateful to you for what
you have done.
Our country has been shaken and bloodied, but today the United States
Congress speaks with one, unified voice. We speak to our friends to say
we thank you for your support, aid, and prayers. To those responsible
for yesterday's unprovoked acts of war--today--we will declare war on
you.
You have awakened our anger, and you will be vanquished. You, who
have perpetrated these act's of terror will be brought to justice, and
we will leave you no quarter. The full force of America's might and
wrath is going to be brought to bear on those who assaulted freedom.
We have entered a new chapter in our national history--and as we have
done so many times in our past, we will be victorious. I urge my
colleagues to support this Resolution of Condemnation. God bless
America.
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, Americans must defeat evil and
uphold our Constitution. September 11, 2001 will be remembered in
history. September 12, 2001, is a national day of unity and mourning.
Today and in the days to come, we must unite in our response to an
unconventional asymmetric act of war against our freedom. We must unite
in our resolve to take the steps necessary to defeat the forces of evil
that deliberately targeted thousands of innocent men, women, and
children to perpetuate a barbarous attack upon America's and the
world's preeminent symbols of democracy, a free market economy, and its
military defense. We must equally be united and vigilant in our resolve
to protect and preserve the rights endowed upon us by our Creator.
We must reaffirm the purpose of our government in our democratic
republic as stated in our Constitution's Preamble:
``We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect
Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings
of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this
Constitution of the United States of America.''
In responding to this heinous attack, we must reaffirm our commitment
to uphold our Constitution, including the rights guaranteed to every
American in the Bill of Rights. These precious rights have been secured
by the blood and sacrifices of Americans for more than 225 years. I am
confident in the ability of today's generation of Americans to honor
those sacrifices and the memories of those killed in the attacks on
September 11, 2001. We have an obligation to overcome this latest
challenge to freedom while honoring our Constitution and preserving the
rights it guarantees for ourselves, our children, and our children's
children.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, as we come together today, in
continued shock and deep mourning our hearts go out to all who lost
loved ones, friends, and colleagues in yesterday's tragic attacks. As
the terrible course of events unfolded yesterday, our nation drew
together in shared grief and in strong support for one another--
especially for the families of those killed or injured. We need to do
all we can to help them now and in the wrenching weeks ahead.
We must preserve the solidarity now shared by all Americans and our
allies in other countries in the wake of this horrific act of war. We
are resolved to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice--
swift and sure--and make clear that America, that freedom itself, will
never be held hostage to terror. An act of war has been committed
against the United States, and we are justified in considering a
declaration of war in response, once we find out who planned, executed,
and enabled yesterday's terrorist strikes. In this, we stand ready to
support our President as the Commander in Chief of our country.
With a fresh awareness of our vulnerability, we must move forward to
secure our nation. With hope that cannot be defeated, we must turn to
what is best within us, put aside our differences, respond to the
continuing crisis and begin the process of rebuilding. In searching for
this hope, amid the sorrow, we need only turn to the firefighters,
police officers, medics, and rescue workers who have put their lives on
hold--and often in mortal danger--to respond to this crisis. Their
courage, determination, and action are examples for us all.
Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to denonunce
the savage, senseless and cowardly attacks upon our citizens, our
property and two of our most endearing symbols of national strength in
yesterday's terrorist attacks on Washington, New York City and our
nation's passenger airlines.
We have lived for years under the threat of terrorism and have
thwarted several significant plots. We have invested a great amount of
time and money to try and create an effective system of
countermeasures. Unfortunately, we have now seen just how far some
people will go to harm the United States and what we stand for.
No political or religious agenda could ever justify the hideous
atrocities committed yesterday, and America will have to respond
appropriately to ensure that those who would use terror against this
country are never again in the position to strike us.
As an international hub of commerce, the World Trade Center contained
the offices of individuals from around the world who have suffered as a
result of this attack. For that reason, this was not only an attack on
America, but on all the nations of the world that trade with us.
The mood is somber here in Washington today, but we are here and our
government is working. Because of our society and our freedoms, we are
always going to be susceptible. This heinous act will undoubtedly gain
a new urgency to reduce the risks we face from terrorism.
It is also critical for our allies and the entire world community to
speak in one voice and say ``Terrorism in any form is wrong, and it
will no longer be tolerated anywhere in the world.
America has been hurt by these attacks, but we are far from defeated.
We will care for our wounded and we will mourn those who lost their
lives. We will then repair the physical damage to our institutions and
seek out those who have perpetrated this obscenity upon us. We will
have justice and we will emerge from this catastrophe stronger than
before.
As Ohio's Seventh District Representative to the Congress of the
United States, my
[[Page H5587]]
thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by these
attacks and their families. I would ask for all Americans to continue
to pray for our nation in the difficult days ahead.
Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to express my
deepest sorrow for the victims and the victims' families of yesterday's
tragedy. Although I know that it offers little solace, I hope that the
families of those maimed and murdered in this tragedy know that the
prayers and thoughts of our entire nation are with them in their time
of grief.
Make no mistake about it, we will find and punish those responsible
for this horrific act. Today we grieve, Mr. Speaker, not just for the
slain victims and their families, but also for all Americans. America
has been attacked through a cowardly act of war. Unlike previous
conflicts, we now face a nameless and faceless enemy.
There is an old saying: you can run, but you can't hide! To those
responsible for yesterday's atrocities--we will hunt you down and the
punishment will be swift and severe.
Throughout her history, America has always been resilient. As Ronald
Reagan often said, ``America stands as the shining light on the hill
for all the world to see.'' Unfortunately, as the symbol of freedom and
democracy, we serve as a constant target for the forces of evil around
the globe. America will rise from these ashes stronger and more
resolute than ever!
We often find that rather than be beaten, times of tragedy bring out
the best in Americans. This strength is what made our nation great--and
what will ensure America's continued greatness. The efforts of the
first responders in New York and Washington have been nothing short of
heroic. I have said time and again that it was not a matter of if a
terrorist attack of epic proportions would hit our nation, but when.
Sadly, the ``when'' occurred at 8:45 Tuesday morning. Had it not been
for the trained first responders, the loss of life could have been
double or triple the current known death toll. Sadly, many of those
evacuating the World Trade Center became casualties in the buildings'
collapse. Our gratitude and prayer and go out to them and all the
victims of this senseless act of terror.
Those who have perpetrated this crime must know that the United
States will not allow this injustice to go unpunished. Today we grieve
with words, tomorrow we will respond with actions! I urge my colleagues
to support this resolution of condemnation.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday America suffered a cowardly attack
upon freedom itself.
Today, our first responsibility must be to tend to the victims, and
their families, in their hour of greatest need. This barbaric act is
horrible in both its enormity, and in its closeness. We have all been
touched forever. Brady Howell, the husband of one of my office family
members, is still among the missing. Our prayers are with Liz and all
of the families who grieve today.
As we have been so painfully reminded--freedom is never free. It is
now our duty to remind the world that freedom is also never afraid.
We must send an unmistakable message to the world that we will spare
no expense or effort to track down all those responsible and ensure
they never strike again.
These attacks were an act of war, not a crime, and should be met with
a swift and overwhelming response.
The world must know there is no middle ground in this war, you either
stand with us against terror, or you stand with the terrorist. Our
friends will confidently stand with us--our enemies should fear us.
America's reach is long, our memory is longer and our resolve is
unshakeable. Our fury will be clenched in an iron fist that will rid
the world of this evil in a swift and terrible blow.
All Americans must stand united with our President in condemnation of
these unspeakable acts. Our strength is not in our buildings and
symbols but in our people and principles. Let us join together, in this
moment of national tragedy, to show the world our true power. We have
seen evil yesterday and we shall defeat it.
God Bless the United States of America.
Mr. KERNS. Mr. Speaker, today, our Nation mourns the loss of life of
so many innocent people as a result of this cowardly, insane attack.
Today, we cannot fully understand or explain this vicious act, but we
can pray that the tragic loss of life and injuries to so many will not
be without some redemption. This tragedy can and must bring the nations
of the free world together--united to bring an end to terrorism in the
world. This may not be easily accomplished, but we must lead the
effort. Rest assured, freedom and the powers of good will prevail.
We, the people of west central Indiana, we in the Congress stand
united with the President to spare no expense or resource to bring to
justice those responsible for this unjustifiable, heartless act. This
evil must be removed from our world. Anything less is unacceptable.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support the
resolution.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's horrific, cowardly attack on the
United States was a senseless act of terrorism by enemies who abhor
America's principles of freedom and justice. The terrorists who
perpetrated this attack, however, have a miscalculated view of America:
they believe we are weak, but we are strong; they believe we will cower
in fear, but we will stand tall in solidarity; they believe they can
break our resolve, but our unity will only be strengthened.
First and foremost, my heart goes out to the victims and the victims'
families of this terrible, horrific attack. The Congress of the United
States, along with all Americans, stands with you in this time of
sorrow and tragedy.
Our thoughts and prayers also go to the firefighters, police
officers, doctors, nurses, ambulance teams, hospital workers and all
public servants who are working to rescue survivors and to care for the
injured. Your heroic efforts will be long remembered.
Even as we care for our citizens who have been victimized by this
horrible crime, the resources of our government must now be directed
toward finding those who caused these acts of violence and bringing
them to justice. We must also examine the ways in which we protect
ourselves, and we, as leaders, must critically review how we allocate
our resources to defend this nation from terrorist attack.
In the meantime, our nation stands resolute in the face of this
crisis. We are confident in the foundations of our democracy and united
through out strength of spirit, which has withstood civil war, world
war, the Cold War and encounted acts of discrimination and prejudice in
our journey to becoming the strongest, most powerful, freedom-loving
country in the world. No despicable act of terrorism can diminish this
spirit or take it away.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's horrific and
cowardly display of terrorism against the United States has left the
country in a state of mourning for the loss of loved ones. This
unprovoked and barbaric attack against democratic beliefs must not go
unpunished. To test the resolve of the United States, one must be
prepared to encounter a proud and unified citizenry whose love for this
country will never be diminished by acts of terrorism.
The cowardly acts of violence against the World Trade Center in New
York and Pentagon in Washington, D.C. unite the country in sorrow. My
condolences and prayers go out to the families, many of which reside in
my district, for the loss of their loved ones. To those people, let me
say I've witnessed firsthand how individuals come together in a moment
of crisis, and I can assure you the country will be there for you in
your time of need.
As yesterday's horrific events unfolded, I watched brave
firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel risking their lives
to save others. I watched hospitals prepare for the wounded and our
armed forces go on high alert. I watched a stricken nation respond by
rushing to donate blood and volunteer their time to help the injured.
These are acts of honor and bravery that no barbaric act of violence
can penetrate.
Make no mistake, there is no honor in terrorism. It is the ultimate
form of cowardice that may shake a nation, but never tear down the
resolve of a proud country dedicated to the pursuit of freedom. This
Congress is unified behind our President who will guide our country
through this tragedy and hunt down those responsible for these
inconceivable acts of violence against the United States.
Let this resolution not only signify the beginning our healing, but
also our resolve to capture those responsible. We will find you, and
justice will be administered.
God bless America.
Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we all witnessed in shock
and disbelieve the worst terrorist attack in the history of this great
country. America was attacked by a faceless enemy, a coward in the
shadows. Many innocent lives were shattered by these horrendous acts of
terrorism. I fully support the President's efforts to find the
perpetrators and bring them to justice. I am confident that justice
will be served and that these crimes will not remain unpunished.
My deepest sympathies go to those who yesterday lost their loved ones
in Washington and New York. May God Almighty give them peace and
comfort them in their grief.
Terrorism will not undermine the strength of this nation and the will
of our people. There are still many questions in our hearts. As we look
for answers, let us work together through these difficult times.
America is at war against the forces of terror and destruction. Peace,
liberty, and democracy will prevail. America will prevail.
Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in complete unity with my colleagues
in this great body to condemn the most horrific acts of terrorism in
our world's history.
Our country mourns together today for the victims of yesterday's
brutal, cowardly attacks and our thoughts and prayers are with them and
their loved ones. We commend and thank
[[Page H5588]]
the heroic efforts of the thousands of rescue workers who at this hour
search tirelessly for the victims and survivors of this national
tragedy.
Make no mistake, what happened yesterday in New York City and our
nation's capitol was a deliberate Act of War against the United States
of America and as assault upon the freedoms of people worldwide. When
the hijackers steered our civilian airliners into the World Trade
Center and the Department of Defense, they not only targeted America's
financial and military centers, they attacked our culture, liberties,
and way of life.
Since our founding, America has served as a symbol of freedom and
stands today as the world's greatest, most enduring democracy. While
our democratic principles may make us a target for those fearful of
freedom, they also bond and unite us in the face of adversity. This
tragedy will only make our great nation stronger in rebuilding from the
rubble. There shall be no doubt that justice will find all of the
cowardly murderers who are in any way responsible or connected with
these atrocious acts.
This Congress and this government will work with relentless resolve
to bring the full resources of these United States and her allies to
bear upon the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. They will be
brought to justice. I look forward to working in steadfast dedication
with my colleagues and with the President in avenging these unspeakable
acts.
May God bless America.
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, it took only a matter of
minutes to forever change our nation. The worst fears of a free society
have come true, and we will live with both the physical as well as the
emotional scars from this tragedy for years to come.
Today is a day for rescue, grieving and investigation. We must do
everything within our power to help the rescue efforts in New York City
and at the Pentagon and to extend a compassionate hand to the victims'
families. The victims include not only the thousands who responded to
save lives only to become victims themselves.
As a nation, we took immediate steps yesterday to limit the scope of
devastation: we sealed off airspace, closed federal buildings and
heightened security across the country. Today we continue to safeguard
against the residual threats posed by these horrific events. Yet, a
nation whose people are truly free to travel and communicate will
always be vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
We need to investigate all the facts of yesterday's events so we can
determine who is responsible for this insidious action and respond
appropriately. As federal agencies and other government offices work
together, we can begin to match questions with answers. We must make
every effort to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again.
I have every faith that in this time of crisis and mourning, the
world will see that the American spirit of resilience remains
undeterred. Yesterday our nation came together as a united family.
Today, that bond remains stronger than ever. My heart and prayer are
with the injured, the victims, and all their families.
Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, like the millions of other Americans who
arrived at work Tuesday morning ready for another day, I was deeply
shaken and in utter disbelief at the nightmarish events which unfolded
before the nation's eyes in New York, Washington, D.C. and in rural
Pennsylvania.
America was the victim of a direct and coordinated attack that is
unprecedented in our country's history. Terrorist forces have declared
all out war on the United States and the American people, and in
response we must declare war on all terrorists regardless of what
banner they fly, or, what country they seek safe harbor in.
The innocence of this nation has been shattered and our peoples'
peaceful way of life has been forever changed. My thoughts and prayers
are with those injured, the families of the many who lost their lives
yesterday in these attacks, and those brave Americans desperately
trying to recover the victims.
In response to horrific injury, loss of life and destruction of our
national institutions, the government and the people have rallied
together to defend our country and our liberty.
I am very proud of our President for his quick response to this
national crisis and I fully support and endorse all efforts now
underway to track down and swiftly punish those responsible for these
despicable acts against America and her citizens.
America's resolve has been put to the test like no other time in
living memory. We must respond to these terrible acts of cowardice and
evil with decisive and overwhelming military force to annihilate those
who planned and ordered these attacks on innocent Americans.
America is the greatest nation in the history of the world and its
greatness will not be diminished by these unspeakable acts of terrorism
and fear. To those who would seek to destroy our land, let me be clear.
We will not only survive these attacks, but will become stronger in the
process as citizens band together to show the world that Americans
cannot and will not be defeated.
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 will be a date forever
frozen in American history. We will never forget the sickening sight of
the World Trade Center and the Pentagon being attacked by hijacked
airplanes. We will not rest until the criminals who committed these
terrible acts are made to pay. We will always remember the thousands of
innocent people who were killed, and the heartbreak that weighs so
heavily on their families and friends.
But the terrorists did not win. Because while America mourns today,
we know from our history that liberty and decency ultimately triumph
over tyranny and hate. These fanatics struck with unimaginable might at
two symbols of our strengths--the financial district that fuels our
economy and the fortress of our national defense system--but the United
States still stands.
As the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, I watched
solemnly as the World Trade Center, a towering icon of American and
world finance, collapsed into clouds. But our capital markets will
survive and thrive, continuing their critical role in our economy. I
have been talking with federal regulators and financial industry
leaders, including Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan, and
plan to work with them to assure consumers, savers, and investors that
our systems remain fundamentally sound.
As a former FBI agent, I have long been concerned about terrorism. We
need to recognize, as the National Commission on Terrorism did last
year, that the threat is changing--from state-sponsored terrorism that
targeted Americans overseas, to the shadowy acts of mass violence
against civilians we experienced in its most evil force yesterday.
Everyone agrees that this cannot happen again. But to be taken
seriously, our vow must be backed up with adequate resources. Despite
space-age technological surveillance, my experience is that there is no
substitute for good ground-level intelligence. It's tougher to do, but
our intelligence communities need the resources and support that will
allow them to make the personal contacts that provide information you
can't get anywhere else.
One fear I have is that our law enforcement officials are falling
behind in their ability to monitor terrorist communications in the
wireless and Internet era. There was a newspaper article this year, and
maybe we will find it prescient, on Osama bin Laden's use of encrypted
messages. Our authorities will forever be a step behind the terrorists
if they do not have the legal authority and technical ability to
intercept such communications.
Sadly, we also must make sure that our communities are adequately
prepared to respond to terrorist acts. Think about the crushing demand
being placed on hospitals and emergency teams in New York City and
Washington. How would other communities with far fewer facilities and
trained personnel respond if they were made targets?
This Congress and President will do everything that must be done to
respond to these disastrous incidents. We will move ahead to protect
Americans in this suddenly-uncertain world. And we will continue to
mourn the loss of a new breed of patriot--the innocent civilian.
September 11, 2001 will indeed always be frozen in our memory as a
horrible day for America. But this day, and the days that follow, are
what we make of them, and history will judge us on our response.
Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the
victims of yesterday's terrorist attack, and to reiterate the United
States' firm resolve not to give in to terrorism.
I, like all Americans, am shocked and saddened by this horrible
attack. I want to extend my sympathy to the families and friends of the
victims. Even one death would have been tragic. A disaster of this size
is simply beyond human comprehension. And yet each of the thousands of
families directly affected by this attack needs our consolation and
support. We ache with grief for their loss, and we will work to hold
the individuals, groups, or states who participated in these despicable
attacks accountable for their actions.
In the wake of this attack, life in this country will inevitably
change. In big ways and small, we will have to adapt to a threat that
is ever-present and yet mostly invisible.
Terrorist attacks are so brutally effective in part because they are
usually unexpected, and because they are so difficult to guard against.
Consequently they can create uncertainty, fear, and even panic out of
proportion to the threat that they actually present.
We must work to protect our people from terrorist attack.
Accomplishing that goal will require the dedication of substantial
additional resources to combating terrorism. We must also accept the
probability that despite the
[[Page H5589]]
best efforts of our intelligence and law enforcement personnel, some
future acts of terrorism will succeed. But, perhaps the most important
of all, we must firmly resolve to prevent the terrorists from winning.
In particular, we must not let terrorists destroy the accomplishments
of which our nation should be the most proud. While changes in security
procedures are apparently required, we should not sacrifice Americans'
remarkable freedom or our civil rights in the battle against terrorism.
I also want to caution my fellow citizens against leaping to
unjustified conclusions or taking inappropriate action against other
citizens. In this regard, I want to remind the American people that our
first thoughts after the Oklahoma City bombing were that foreign agents
were responsible for the attack; we subsequently learned that that
horrible attack was home-grown. And even if, as has been suggested,
Osama bin Laden's organization is behind this attack, we should not
attack or discriminate against Muslims or Arab-Americans. By no means
are most or even many Muslims and Arab-Americans anti-American or pro-
terrorist. They are, rather, law-abiding and patriotic citizens who
deserve our respect and fellowship. They most definitely do not deserve
to be vilified or attacked.
As we consider what action we should take, we must carefully and
objectively evaluate the threats we face and the means we might use to
address them. It is essential that we not underestimate our enemies in
this conflict. They are dedicated, ruthless, and--as yesterday's
attacks proved--willing to sacrifice their own lives for a cause they
believe in. That being said, there are a number of reasons for
Americans to remain calm and confident. We must recognize that the
number of active terrorists is small, and that their resources are
limited. We must also remember that most people around the world are as
appalled by these attacks as we are, and that they are just as
interested as we are in stopping terrorism. We should also remember
that most Americans are still remarkably safe; while certain symbolic
targets may be attacked, the risk for most Americans of experiencing a
terrorist attack is still significantly lower than the risk of
experiencing commonplace mishaps like heart attacks or traffic
accidents. Finally, we must remember that most terrorist attacks are
thwarted before they can be carried out; I am certain that Congress
will provide the necessary resources to increase security and expand
our counter-terrorism operations. Consequently, I am confident that the
American people will demonstrate the resolve--and the wisdom--necessary
to win this fight.
We can take comfort from the fact that we have dealt with bigger
threats in the past. The threats posed by the Axis in World War II and
by nuclear weapons during the Cold War were real and potentially much
more devastating. The American people rose to those challenges, and
they did so admirably. They will rise to this challenge as well.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate my belief that our great
nation will prevail in this difficult but unavoidable struggle.
Mr. CHAMBLISS.1 Mr. Speaker, America is the most free, most open,
most democratic nation in the world and yesterday we paid tremendous
price for our freedom. Yesterday's vicious attack on the United States
was a heinous and despicable act of murder targeting innocent American
families. The devastation are unspeakable, the consequences are
unimaginable. Every single American has been touched by tragedy like no
other event in American history, and our national will has been seared
by images of death and destruction. Our hearts and prayers are with the
families of those whose lives have been lost. We have been hit at our
hearts and we mourn our national loss. Today, we put politics aside and
focus on our principles and our policy. We are not Republicans or
Democrats, we are Americans, speaking with one united voice against
this terror that has been perpetrated against us.
I commend President Bush and the administration for their steady and
unwavering leadership in this crisis and Gov. Pataki, Mayor Giuliani,
DC Mayor Anthony Williams, and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and all
the people who have answered the call of duty to respond in New York,
Washington, and Pennsylvania. America's first responders are our first
line of defense and these professionals deserve our gratitude and
praise for the work they are doing.
However, today it is pointedly clear that we continue to live in a
dangerous world with very real threats to our nation. There are still
terrorists who seek to destroy our country, chemical, biological, and
nuclear demons still hover, and enemies of freedom and democracy still
persist.
Terrorists are becoming more and more sophisticated and we have been
warned that terrorists acts against us are inevitable. The United
States has been tested. But our enemies should not be deceived. We are
firmly resolved to find the perpetrators and punish those involved in
any way in these despicable acts. Our determination is firm, our reach
is long, and our nation is united. This assault on our families and our
values and our Nation will not stand. It is important now that as we
rebuild we also recognize the road ahead of us. Much work must be done
to eliminate terrorist threats around the world and to protect our
citizens at home and abroad.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation was attacked, an act
of war that when all is told will have claimed thousands of American
lives. It was a day of disbelief, shock, and horror. I offer my most
heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of
this terrorist attack on our Nation and our people.
Today is a day of anger. The United States will not tolerate a direct
attack on its citizens. The full force and will of our government will
be dedicated to punishing the terrorists who are responsible, as well
as those who harbor and protect them.
We know who the most likely individual is behind these acts, because
he has acted before, killing Americans viciously and mercilessly. I
strongly support our President in the effort to lead us in a swift,
severe act of retribution that will leave no question that America will
not allow her citizens to live under the threat of terrorism.
Osama bin Laden is in the business of terrorism, backed by millions
of dollars of personal wealth. We already know that he is responsible
for a number of terrorists attacks that include the first attack on the
World Trade Center in 1993 and the 1998 attack on the U.S. embassies in
Kenya and Tanzania which killed over 200 people.
He has publicly declared war on the United States and stated that
``America will face a black fate . . . strikes will continue from
everwhere, and Islamic groups will appear one after the other to fight
American interests.'' It is time for this threat to be eliminated. and
if we find that someone else is responsible for yesterday's attack then
we should eliminate that threat as well.
The debate has already begun about the shortcomings of the American
intelligence--whether we should have known and been able to stop these
horrific events before they occurred. It is true that America has in
many ways become complacent about our security on our own shores.
We have come to rely heavily on the benefits of highly technical
intelligence capabilities. While these components are important in
keeping our people safe worldwide, it cannot replace the benefit of
investing in human skill to infiltrate the ranks of would-be
terrorists. Humans infiltrated our security yesterday, not high
technology. We must refocus on that lost component of our intelligence
and security efforts.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Japanese Admiral was heard to say
I hope we have not awakened a sleeping giant. That sleeping giant has
awakened again and it will rise quickly--Americans united behind our
President--to punish those who would cripple or destroy our freedom and
our people.
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today, I express my shock and outrage at
the attacks that took place yesterday. First and foremost I send out my
prayers and condolences to the thousands of American families most
directly affected by this tragic event and the millions of Americans
who feel the devastation of such a profound strike at the heart of our
Nation.
While our pain is immense our actions will be resolute. We will not
stand idly by while those who seek to destroy our democracy wreak havoc
on our country and the rest of the world. I say to those who have
perpetrated this attack: witness the American resolve evident in the
immediate aftermath of these horrendous attacks as our Nation's
citizens band together to help one another in time of need; witness the
increased sense of American unity, tradition, pride and patriotism your
actions invigorate in the American conscious; witness the undying sense
of hope and determination evidenced by the American people.
I say that your attack runs counter to your goals, whatever they may
be. You have only increased our determination to spread the American
spirit and our belief in freedom and justice to the far corners of the
world. You have only strengthened our condemnation of undemocratic
institutions, and you have resigned yourself to the retribution that
your evil acts warrant.
God bless America and God help the families and victims of
yesterdays' attack.
Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, the House is meeting today to lend 110
percent support to our Commander-in-Chief, President George W. Bush.
Every Member of Congress is completely unified in our support for
President Bush to do whatever is necessary to rescue the wounded and
attend to the victims and their families, and to identify those
responsible for this atrocity, hunt them down, and bring them to
justice.
These attacks are an act of war against the people of the United
States. We will eradicate these terrorists wherever they may be and
[[Page H5590]]
punish anyone who harbored them, anyone who gave them a nickel, and
anyone who gave them comfort and aid.
Members of Congress are furious and outraged, but we will be
thoughtful and deliberative in our response. Above all, we will support
our Commander-in-Chief.
As Congress and our President decide how America should respond, we
must be sure to remember Benjamin Franklin's warning that those who
``give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety.''
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). All time for debate has
expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the previous question is
ordered.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the joint
resolution.
The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third
time, and was read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the joint
resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 408,
nays 0, not voting 22, as follows:
[Roll No. 338]
YEAS--408
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Allen
Andrews
Armey
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldacci
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Barrett
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Becerra
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonior
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Bryant
Burr
Burton
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Coble
Collins
Combest
Condit
Cooksey
Costello
Cox
Coyne
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Cubin
Culberson
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Fletcher
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Frank
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Goss
Graham
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grucci
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Harman
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Herger
Hill
Hilleary
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Horn
Hostettler
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kerns
Kildee
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Luther
Maloney (CT)
Manzullo
Markey
Mascara
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Menendez
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mink
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Myrick
Napolitano
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Phelps
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Reyes
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Roemer
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roukema
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Sanchez
Sanders
Sandlin
Sawyer
Schaffer
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shows
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sununu
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Traficant
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watkins (OK)
Watson (CA)
Watt (NC)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--22
Conyers
Crowley
Davis (IL)
Dicks
Fossella
Gordon
Kelly
Kilpatrick
Largent
Lipinski
Maloney (NY)
McCarthy (MO)
Meeks (NY)
Murtha
Nadler
Payne
Rangel
Royce
Saxton
Souder
Weiner
Weldon (PA)
{time} 0107
So the joint resolution was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 338,
H. Con. Res. 61--Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the
terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11,
2001, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have
voted ``aye.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Pursuant to the order of the
House of earlier today, S.J. Res. 22 is passed.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider S.J. Res. 22 is laid on
the table, and H.J. Res. 61 is laid on the table.
There was no objection.
____________________