[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8864-H8866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TODD BEAMER POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3248) to designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 65 North Main Street in
Cranbury, New Jersey, as the ``Todd Beamer Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3248
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TODD BEAMER POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 65 North Main Street in Cranbury, New
Jersey, shall be known and designated as the ``Todd Beamer
Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the Todd Beamer Post Office Building.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann
Davis).
General Leave
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on H.R. 3248.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3248 introduced by our
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt). This
measure designates the facility of the United States Postal Service
located at 65 North Main Street in Cranbury, New Jersey, as the ``Todd
Beamer Post Office Building''. Members of the entire House delegation
from the State of New Jersey are cosponsors of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, many heroes emerged on September 11, from firefighters
and policemen to military personnel at the Pentagon to citizens such as
Todd Beamer. Todd Beamer, a resident of Cranbury, was one of the
passengers on the hijacked United Flight 93 who gave their lives
fighting the hijackers and denying them their deadly mission on
September 11.
Mr. Beamer was a husband, father, a businessman and a citizen. He is
survived by his wife, Lisa, and their two children and a third child
who is expected in about 2 weeks. His courageous acts and the acts of
all of the passengers on Flight 93 are an inspiration to all Americans.
Their acts saved countless lives.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 3248.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am
pleased to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo
Ann Davis), in consideration of H.R. 3248, legislation naming a post
office in Cranbury, New Jersey, after Todd Beamer.
H.R. 3248 was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt)
on November 7, 2001. I would like to begin my remarks by thanking the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for continuing the tradition of
naming post offices after individuals of accomplishment and people who
have given up much to the betterment of their community and of their
Nation.
Naming a postal facility after Todd Beamer sets a very high standard
indeed; for Todd Beamer not only accomplished much, he gave his life in
defense of our country.
The consideration of H.R. 3248 on the heels of H. Con. Res. 232 is
important, important because we in the Congress express our
appreciation to the passengers and crew of the hijacked United Airlines
Flight 93 for diverting the use of that aircraft from its intended
target, Washington, D.C., possibly headed for the White House or the
Nation's Capitol. As the resolution states, we in the Congress extend
our condolences to the victims, families and friends. We also place a
memorial plaque honoring the victims of Flight 93 on the Capitol
grounds.
{time} 1245
Acknowledging the heroic struggle aboard Flight 93 leads us to the
consideration of H.R. 324, and the fateful telephone call from Todd
Beamer to a telephone operator. Todd Beamer, along with other
passengers on the plane, organized resistance to the hijacking after
learning the fate of three planes, two of which flew into the World
Trade Center and one which hit the Pentagon.
Mr. Speaker, on September 11, Flight 93 took off from Newark, New
Jersey, bound for San Francisco, with Captain Jason Dahl in the pilot's
seat. Along the way, it suddenly and unexpectedly detoured, heading for
Washington, D.C.
Before I conclude my comments, I would like to express my sincere
condolences to the widow of Todd Beamer. She has handled the loss of
her husband extremely well. But in addition, Lisa Beamer has become a
real activist, organizing assistance for victims and the families of
those who were victimized. She is in Washington this day, trying to
generate support for the families of those who lost loved ones. Her
children and family can take great comfort in knowing that their father
and son was a hero and a master of his fate. His actions have left
behind a great legacy, a legacy of patriotism, a legacy of love, a
legacy of courage, and a legacy of leadership. Mr. Speaker, I often
define leadership as the ability to do what needs to be done, but to do
it first.
In closing, I am proud to support H.R. 3248. I thank the chairman of
the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Burton), and the ranking minority member, the gentleman from California
(Mr. Waxman), for moving quickly to schedule this bill. I also again
express my appreciation to my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Holt), for introducing this legislation.
In what has been quoted as the final immortal words of Todd Beamer, I
close, Mr. Speaker, by asking America, ``Are you ready? Let's roll.'' I
urge the swift passage of H.R. 3248.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), who is the sponsor
of this legislation.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Illinois
for yielding me this time, and I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 3248,
legislation to designate the United States Post Office in Cranbury, in
my home district, as the Todd Beamer Post Office.
I too want to express my appreciation to the chairman of the
committee, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), and the ranking
member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), as well as the
majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), for allowing
this bill to come to the floor; and I thank my colleagues for their
eloquent remarks.
[[Page H8865]]
This is, I think, very appropriate. America has found a hero in Todd
Beamer, one of the passengers on hijacked Flight 93. We all mourn the
loss of Todd Beamer and the others on that flight; and our hearts and
prayers go out to Lisa Beamer, who is here with us in the gallery now,
and to their two fine children, whom I have observed, and to all the
other families of people on that plane. We hold up the memory of Mr.
Beamer as one who represents what is good about America. All of America
knows of his reciting the 23rd Psalm, the Lord's Prayer, and his words,
``Let's roll.''
At a time like this, we seek to draw lessons for us Americans who are
left behind after September 11. For a couple of centuries observers
from around the world, from Alexis de Toqueville to Winston Churchill,
have spoken about the marvelous ability of Americans to rise to meet a
challenging situation, the ability of individual Americans to step from
their ordinary lives to do extraordinary things. You will notice I do
not say ordinary Americans, because, in fact, that is the essence of
what makes this country. There are no ordinary Americans. There are
Americans who will, at one time or another, rise to do extraordinary
things.
I attended a memorial service for Todd at the church in Plainsboro,
New Jersey, where the Beamer family worships. And from the remembrances
delivered lovingly by friends and family, I learned a lot about the
character of this national hero. He was an outstanding athlete who led
and inspired his athletes and who said he always seemed to somehow find
a way to come up with a critical run. He was a fine businessman who
stood out in a national company. He was an involved and loving father
of David, 3 years old, and 1-year-old Andrew, and was looking forward
to the upcoming birth of his third child. But especially, especially I
learned that he was a man of deep religious faith, a faith that allowed
him to look past death to act so courageously on board Flight 93.
We believe that the band of passengers who fought the hijackers,
Todd's father calls them freedom fighters, saved hundreds, perhaps
thousands of lives that would have been taken if that plane had made
its fiery descent into the hijackers' intended target. And it is worth
noting that none of those people whose lives were saved know who they
are. We will never know. But all Americans can be grateful.
Ours is a diverse country, with a rich religious tradition, a very
diverse religious tradition. And September 11 was a particularly tough
day for Muslims. They find that day hard because there were some people
who wanted to say that those were Muslims who hijacked the plane. But
good Muslims assure me that no follower of Mohammed would have done
that. Because it is written not only in the Judeo-Christian tradition
but also in the Koran. In the Talmud it says, ``Whoever saves a single
life is honored as though he saved an entire world.'' And in the Koran,
``If anyone saved a life, it would be as though he saved the life of
the whole people.''
The memory of the people on board Flight 93 reminds us that this is
not the last time that America will need heroes. Andrew and David can
grow up knowing that their father acted heroically. They can also see
it in the way their mother has borne this hard time. The survival of
American ideals, though, beyond the immediate Beamer family, depends
day in and day out on ordinary Americans stepping out of their ordinary
lives to do extraordinary things, courageous things. It is appropriate,
I think, that people will be able to find inspiration as they look at
the Federal post office in Cranbury and pause for a moment to reflect
on the essence of America, what we can extract from our diversity, and
also to reflect on the meaning of religious faith in our lives.
It is only fitting that a memorial for Todd be established in
Cranbury, where he and his family live.
First settled in 1697, the town of Cranbury is one of the oldest
towns in New Jersey. It derived its name from the brook on whose banks
it had its beginning. Over 80 soldiers from the Revolutionary War are
buried in the town. While it today is in close proximity to some of our
Nation's largest metropolitan areas, Cranbury retains its unique
village character.
The opportunity comes to every American to do courageous things. I
want to repeat that. To every American. Now, most of us will never have
the chance, thank God, to have to face down an armed hijacker. But many
will have the opportunity in their neighborhoods or among their friends
to face down bigotry, intolerance, or injustice. The memory of people
like Todd Beamer helps us meet those challenges.
This legislation is one small honor for Todd Beamer and for all the
heroes on Flight 93 and elsewhere around the country on September 11.
It is not the last time America will need heroes.
I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bill, and I also urge
that we honor the survivors and families left after the atrocities
through appropriate compensation and tax relief.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Although the Chair understands the
gentleman's sentiment, the Chair must remind all Members not to
introduce or bring to the attention of the House any occupant in the
gallery.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield
3\1/2\ minutes to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from
Virginia for yielding me this time.
Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R.
3248, to designate the United States Postal Service facility in
Cranbury as the Todd Beamer Post Office Building, and want to thank the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for sponsoring the legislation
that is before us today.
Mr. Speaker, when Congress names particular facilities in honor of
someone, we do it because they have made an outstanding contribution to
society. I can think of no one who deserves that honor more than Todd
Beamer. The accounts of his heroism aboard Flight 93 fill us with awe
and gratitude and inspire us. And by all accounts, it was Todd's faith
in the Lord that inspired him to act with such decisiveness and
tenacity and with such courage.
Todd's deeds and the actions of his fellow passengers aboard Flight
93 have become powerfully etched into the psyche of America itself.
Flight 93 has become a symbol of the American spirit, the spirit of
courage and selfless sacrifice, of standing up to cowards who would
kill in the middle of the night or by using aircraft as cruise
missiles.
When faced with the ultimate test of character, Todd Beamer did not
flinch for one moment. He took bold action to stop an act of terrorism
in progress. On his last phone call from the aircraft, Todd told Lisa
Jefferson, the GTE air phone supervisor working out of the Illinois
facility, that he and his other passengers aboard Flight 93 were
planning to overpower the hijackers and to stop their suicide attack.
Miss Jefferson cautioned him to consider carefully what he was saying:
``Are you sure that that is what you want to do, Todd?'' Todd's
response: ``It's what we have to do.''
Mr. Speaker, how often do we hear those words--this is something I
have to do--the notion that someone is acting out of a moral imperative
is astonishing in this day and age. Well, Todd did it and did it with
great distinction and courage.
Many in America before September 11 had become jaded about the notion
of selfless sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, of doing what is right even when
you know it may cost you your very life. We know from the Scriptures
that our Lord Jesus Christ said, ``There is no greater love than he who
lays down his life for his brother or for his sister,'' and that is
exactly what Todd Beamer has done. Surely he has, is and will be
greatly blessed in Heaven for his sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, the cowardly terrorists counted on both the element of
surprise and on the element of intimidation to achieve their awful end,
but they did not count on meeting face to face with the likes of Todd
Beamer. Todd Beamer was an extraordinary man on what should have been
an ordinary flight. And when faced with a horrific set of
circumstances, Todd stepped up to the plate and he did what had to be
done. And he never, not for a moment, by all accounts, even hesitated.
Instead, Todd drew his courage and strength from his faith. He told
Lisa
[[Page H8866]]
Jefferson, ``I don't think we're going to get out of this thing. I'm
going to have to go out on faith.'' Mr. Speaker, his last words, as we
all know, and as President Bush has quoted, was ``Let's roll.'' And
those words, I think, have mobilized and motivated and inspired all
Americans in our current fight in Afghanistan. ``Let's roll.'' Let's
stop these terrorists.
Let me finally remind Members of Todd's embrace of Psalm 23, which
surely was in Todd's heart in those final moments, where it is said by
King David, ``The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me
to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and staff they
comfort me.''
A post office memorializing Todd Beamer is the least we in Congress
can do to honor his supreme sacrifice. He was a great man; and we honor
his widow Lisa--a strong woman in her own right and his family.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Somehow or another, heroes arise in times of great need. Heroes arise
in times of great need. At a time of crisis and great need, Todd Beamer
and his fellow passengers rose up. And because they rose up, we have
the ability to continue to stand up on this floor and protect the
rights of Americans and of people all over the world.
So we take this moment not only to designate a post office in honor
of Todd Beamer, but we say, ``Thank you, Todd. Thank you, passengers
and crew of Flight 93.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1300
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo).
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, every time we hear of the deeds of the
folks like Todd Beamer on Flight 93, we are left with the kind of
introspection that can be very challenging. We have to say to
ourselves, what would I have done? How would I have reacted under
similar circumstances? We all want to think that we would have done
what Mr. Beamer and others did. We can only hope that is the case, but
we can also only hope that we will not have to face that challenge.
But if we do, if something like that ever comes up again, the fact is
that any American who has read the story, becomes acquainted with the
actions of the people on Flight 93, we can sincerely believe that the
possibility for us to do the right thing under those circumstances, to
do what they did, is greater because we know what they did, and because
of what it does for us internally, because of the way it changes us,
because of the courage, perhaps, that they have given us.
Mr. Speaker, we also are able to put faces together with names now of
people who were on the plane. I take this opportunity also to think
about and to speak for just a moment about Captain Jason Dahl. Mr. Dahl
chose to be on the plane that day. He scheduled himself for Flight 93.
From everything we have learned about Mr. Dahl, it is certainly
understandable and it is quite probable that it was his decision even
to take the plane into the ground rather than into any other edifice.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for
introducing this legislation and for working so hard to ensure its
passage. I encourage all Members to support this resolution. Mr.
Speaker, to quote Todd Beamer, ``Let's roll.''
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3248 and wish to
fully express my gratitude to the crew of United Flight 93, and
especially its captain, Jason M. Dahl. It was with immense sadness that
I learned that the Dahl family and indeed all of Colorado had been
robbed on September 11th of a good man and a good father. Mr. Dahl's
family, to paraphrase President Lincoln, must feel enormous pride for
having laid such a costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
According to a friend, Dahl learned to fly before he learned to
drive. A neighbor remembered Dahl's football and baseball games in the
street with neighborhood children and his commitment to his family and
his community. Having read the statements of those who eulogized him, I
cannot help but conclude that the gentleman flying that plane was one
of America's best--a great father and husband alkike. Since September
11th, America has rediscovered the importance of family, and turned to
family members for comfort and understanding. It is no small tragedy
that the Dahl family does not have this luxury, having been left
incomplete on September 11th.
Most of us saw evil on that day watching the pictures of the two
planes collide with the World Trade Towers in New York City. Jason Dahl
almost surely saw evil in a different form. He must have seen it in the
faces of the hijackers and known that it was in their hearts.
The loss of Mr. Dahl and all of the passengers aboard Flight 93 will
not be forgotten--certainly not by this body. This morning, we passed a
resolution calling for a plaque to be placed on the grounds of the
Capitol memorializing their deaths. I would suggest that their memory
will go much farther. The fact that this great building and its dome--
two irreplaceable symbols of American democracy--still stand today will
always be a living memorial to their sacrifice.
My prayers, Mr. Speaker, are with all of the innocent civilians who
died aboard that plane, and especially Jason Dahl and his family.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3248.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________