[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1734-E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I, like you, have been watching 
in disbelief and sadness the reports from New York City and Washington, 
D.C. in the aftermath of the terrible attacks launched against the 
United States.

[[Page E1735]]

  Never before in our history have Americans borne witness to such an 
egregious, savage, violent, and cowardly attack on American soil. The 
situation defies belief and embodies much of what had once been our 
greatest fear. I join with every American in support of our great 
country and am confident that our nation will overcome this challenge 
just as we have conquered past challenges.
  When I swore my oath to preserve, protect, and defend the 
Constitution of the United States, I never imagined that this country 
or I would be where we are today. Each member of Congress swears our 
allegiance to our constituents, to one another and to the country, yet 
the magnitude of our oath only is truly understood when we face 
situations like we face today. During trying times such as these, the 
American Spirit shines most brightly, and we find within ourselves the 
ability to overcome challenges once thought unthinkable and 
unimaginable.
  Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is a date so packed with tragedy and 
meaning, we have tremendous difficulty fully understanding the 
implications of what has been done to our country and our people.
  Not since the time of my father Stewart Udall's service in the 
Cabinets of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, have we faced such 
difficult and trying issues. From the fear and terror of the Cuban 
Missile Crisis to the national horror following the assassination of 
our President to the anguish of the Vietnam War, our nation was 
confronted with innumerable and difficult challenges. The strength of 
citizens overcame all these challenges, and it will once again overcome 
what lies before us today.
  As we see images of the devastation in New York City and at the 
Pentagon, we are flooded by emotions ranging from profound sorrow to 
unbridled anger. Yet we are also called upon to defend ourselves from 
unknown threats and invisible enemies. Ours is a responsibility to put 
our raw feeling and emotions aside and focus on the grim work at hand 
of responding to the attacks against us and doing everything in our 
power to ensure that such attacks will not be perpetrated against us in 
the future.
  The question now arises how we may best fulfill our duty to protect 
the citizens of the United States and, indeed, the citizens of 
countries around the globe. The scourge of terrorism affects more than 
just the United States homeland. For years our friends and allies in 
Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa have suffered the horrors of 
terrorism. While offering our support and solidarity, we always 
believed and hoped that America would be spared from the type of 
tragedy which befell us last Tuesday. We hoped against hope that New 
York, Washington, or any American city would not be added to the 
infamous list which includes London, Paris, Belfast, Beirut, 
Johannesburg, and Tokyo. Now the fight has been brought to us, and we 
will respond. We must respond.
  The question is how we respond. We will be quick to act, or will we 
be thorough, careful, deliberate, and patient?
  We first responded by granting to President Bush the authority needed 
to prosecute this effort with the strength the task requires. The 
Congress will appropriate money, grant authority, and rouse popular 
support for the President as we take each step against terror together 
and jointly exercise the Constitutional responsibilities invested by 
our Founders in both branches of the government.
  Our efforts require and are receiving the support of the 
international community of responsible nations. The support is a 
crucial component of any action which our government may take in 
defense of the American People. The world must not be seen as tolerant 
in the least of terrorists or those who support terrorists. The strong 
backing of our allies is a reassuring sign that our international 
partners stand beside us as we jointly face this danger.
  As we embark, we recognize that the Congress and the President are 
equal partners in the effort. We are making decisions and taking action 
only after tremendous consideration and deliberation. We have a 
profound understanding of the gravity of the situation which lies 
before us. We understand that the Constitutional principles upon which 
this great country is founded must be respected at every turn. As we 
defend the safety of Americans, we must also defend their liberties. To 
defeat terror in a way that robs us of our most cherished freedoms must 
be avoided. I believe that it is possible for America to be safe and 
free. As we continue to contemplate further actions and investigate 
those that have taken place, we must be vigilant in the defense of both 
our safety and our freedom.
  As we respond to the attacks, Americans will continue to unite as we 
have over the past several days and in ways that we have not seen for 
years. We draw strength from our tremendous diversity as a nation and 
from our myriad experiences and abilities. We defeat terror by 
embracing each other in the face of those who would terrorize us and 
rising above the petty differences that might once have separated us. 
Our unity will be our strength as we confront this new challenge. The 
American House in which we all live will not, as President Lincoln 
said, be divided against itself. We will continue on, stronger and more 
united than ever.
  The United States will meet this challenge as we have met previous 
challenges before. Our great nation will unite more strongly than ever, 
and we will prevail. My faith in our country is exceeded only by my 
admiration for those who place their own safety in jeopardy so that 
others will be free. America is great. God bless America.

                          ____________________