[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE 
              FOR RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, as you know, I traditionally do not support 
the use of military force to pursue our national objectives. In the 
past, I felt that we often resorted to military force too early, 
resorting to military reprisals before we explored all of our 
diplomatic options or fully questioned our motivations for such action. 
But today we are facing a different situation altogether.
  I will support this resolution. The attacks on America only three 
days ago, without a doubt, were an act of war and unmitigated 
aggression against our country. I will not spend another day of my life 
without remembering the nightmare of that day. And I, like every other 
American, know that such assaults on our freedom cannot go unanswered. 
We have no other option but to respond.
  Still, I hope that the president will fully realize the awesome power 
he has been given and that he uses its full strength only after all 
other options to protecting our freedoms and bringing our attackers to 
their knees have been exhausted. The president must use this power 
prudently and with the understanding that many of us who vote today to 
approve this power do so with a heavy heart.
  Nonetheless, we have no other option. I never thought I would find 
myself in this situation, where I would agree with many of my more 
eager peers, that force would be a legitimate option. But I, like my 
colleagues, know that we have no other choice. Faceless aggressors have 
challenged our society's core principles and I am confident that the 
ideals of our great land will prevail.
  We will complete our objective and will not yield until we find and 
mete out justice to those nations, organizations or persons behind 
those horrific attacks. Yet I remain confident that we will not fall to 
the level of the terrorist. I know that the president will use our 
military force to make the world safer for free peoples and be careful 
not to wantonly crush innocent souls purely to make a point. Our 
motivations are right, our goals are just and I know that we will use 
our awesome military power to make the world better for all of us who 
embrace freedom in our hearts.

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