[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN RECOGNITION OF CANADA'S STEADFAST SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 
  AND THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING TERRORISTS ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 
                                  2001

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our northern 
neighbors, the people of Canada.
  Next week, I will be addressing the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in 
Ottawa, Canada. While there, I will have the high honor of meeting with 
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and my colleague in the Canadian 
House of Commons, Speaker Peter Milliken. With both great leaders, I 
will express our heartfelt thanks for their tremendous support during 
these challenging times.
  At this time, I would like to submit for the Congressional Record two 
documents sent to me from Speaker Milliken. The first is a letter he 
wrote to me detailing ``the profound sorrow and sympathy'' Canadians 
have for the families and friends of the victims in September 11th's 
harrowing attack.
  The second is a Resolution passed in the House of Commons on Monday, 
September 17, 2001, that in part reads: the people's body of Canada 
reaffirms ``its commitment to the humane values of free and democratic 
society and its determination to bring to justice the perpetrators of 
this attack on these values and to defend civilization from any future 
terrorist attack.''
  In closing, I look forward to my meetings with the NATO Parliamentary 
Assembly so I can personally deliver America's thanks to the leaders of 
the free world, especially our friends across our northern border, the 
people of Canada.

                                             House of Commons,

                               Ottawa, Canada, September 19, 2001.
     Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker,  on behalf of all members of the House of 
     Commons of Canada, I would like to convey to you, and to the 
     Members of the House of Representatives of the United States, 
     the profound sorrow and sympathy of the Canadian people for 
     the families and friends of the victims of the September 11th 
     attack on the United States of America.
       At this most difficult time, Canadians and Americans have 
     found solace in the strength and endurance of their 
     friendship. On September 14th, a National Day of Mourning in 
     Canada, I stood with my colleagues from the House, shoulder 
     to shoulder with 100,000 Canadians on the lawn of Parliament 
     Hill in Ottawa, grieving the incalculable loss the world has 
     sustained. Throughout our country, in similar ceremonies. the 
     citizens of Canada echoed, and shared, the sadness of the 
     American people.
       The United States and Canada have often taken their 
     relationship for granted; somehow, today, that seems right. 
     There is, after all, much comfort to be had in the unwavering 
     support of our friends during dark times, In fact. former 
     Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said: ``The friendship 
     between our two countries is so basic, so non-negotiable, 
     that it has long since been regarded by others as the 
     standard for enlightened international relations.'' In the 
     difficult days that lie ahead, I trust you will continue to 
     count on that friendship, as we count on yours.
       I have attached the resolution that was adopted by the 
     House of Commons on September 17th, 2001, and signed by the 
     Clerk, as well as the day's Hansard, the transcript of the 
     Commons' proceedings. I hope they will serve to convey to you 
     some of the sentiments expressed by your Canadian colleagues 
     in the House of Commons, as well as their heartfelt hope that 
     the United States will draw strength from its many friends 
     and allies around the world.
           Yours truly,
                                                   Peter Milliken,
                                                      The Speaker.

                               Resolution

       Resolved,--That this House express its sorrow and horror at 
     the senseless and vicious attack on the United States of 
     America on September 11, 2001;
       That it express its heartfelt condolences to the families 
     of the victims and to the American people; and
       That it reaffirm its commitment to the humane values of 
     free and democratic society and its determination to bring to 
     justice the perpetrators of this attack on these values and 
     to defend civilization from any future terrorist attack.

     

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