[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 120 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TERRORIST ATTACKS

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                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly condemn the 
cowardly act of violence that besieged our nation yesterday. Today, we 
stand as a nation resolved to continue our way of life. National 
symbols of power were shaken, but the true strength of the country, our 
people, remain solid.
  We will act swiftly to determine those responsible for this cowardice 
and retaliate against the perpetrators. We continue to support our 
Commander in Chief as he leads us through this truly horrible time for 
our nation.
  I commend those citizens of all walks of life who became America's 
heroes yesterday as they worked to rescue the injured and console 
families of victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are 
injured, those who lost their lives, and those who are courageously 
involved in rescue efforts. We will come together as a nation by giving 
blood, donating our time and services to help the afflicted, and flying 
our American flags proudly.
  Members of Congress and citizens across the country today refuse to 
be frightened and demoralized as we attempt to pick up the shattered 
pieces of our lives and restore some semblance of normalcy to our daily 
routines.
  However, this indeed is a dark time for America, which has generated 
grave memories that will last forever. What is important now is that we 
face and learn from this solemn chapter in our history. We must 
reassess our national security apparatus and come to terms with those 
lapses in security that allowed these terrorists to take root on U.S. 
soil. But, make no mistake, the rest of the world should know--and know 
so resoundingly--that the United States will not tolerate cowardly acts 
of terrorism.
  I agree wholeheartedly with the President that we will make no 
distinction between those who committed this barbaric act of cowardice 
and those who harbor and give them sustenance. All of the perpetrators 
of these dastardly deeds must come to feel the full force of our 
power--unleashed in all of its awesome might.
  Surely, the wounds inflicted upon our national conscience by this 
horrendous act of terrorism are deep. However, while we have suffered a 
tremendous loss, our resolve to confront and defeat the evil that 
brought about this tragedy has only been strengthened.
  I stand behind the President at this moment of national sorrow. As a 
nation we are united in our unyielding determination to prevail against 
terrorism and those who support it.

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