[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6166-H6167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO TERRORISM

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H6167]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, this great and powerful Nation of ours is 
about to respond. We will respond mightily. We will respond, not just 
against the terrorists themselves, but against those who harbor and 
protect them.

                              {time}  1015

  The Taliban of Afghanistan is at the very top of the list. As we 
prepare to deal with them, we have to remember the civilians of that 
country. We must be careful to minimize the impact on the innocent 
people of Afghanistan.
  Mr. Speaker, I am a veteran. I know that sometimes innocent people 
die in war, but in the case of Afghanistan, perhaps more than any 
other, we will be at war with the terrorist organizations and with the 
government that aids and abets them, not with the people.
  The people of Afghanistan are victims too. They have been brutalized 
by the Taliban, by the communists who were there before them. They have 
not known peace for decades. Millions have starved and become refugees. 
We will need to help those surrounding countries that will be impacted 
by the refugees. We need to communicate to the people of Afghanistan, 
reach out to them and let them know that we are their friends, and that 
once Osama bin Laden and the Taliban are gone, and they will be gone, 
we want to be a friend and ally to the people of Afghanistan.

                          ____________________