[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NEW YORK JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS, SEPTEMBER 6, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, America watched with horror 
as the tragic events of September 11 unfolded here in New York City and 
in our Nation's capital. On that morning, already aghast at the attack 
on the Twin Towers, I looked out the window of my Capitol Hill Office 
and gasped in horror as I watched the black smoke billow out of the 
Pentagon and drift across the clear blue sky. Still stunned, I was 
quickly shuffled out of my office to safety.
  Today, as I reflect on the profound loss that our nation faced in 
midst of these horrific attacks, I am also heartened by the selfless 
acts of valor, community spirit, and national unity that have followed 
this tragedy. Despite the stresses that our nation has experienced, the 
ties that bind our diverse country together are stronger than ever.
  Immediately following, the terrorist attacks on America, President 
Bush called on all of us to volunteer to bring our country together and 
reestablish those local ties that often times are neglected. Americans 
responded. The resurgence of commitment to community can be found in 
our homes, our houses of worship, our schools, and our workplaces. From 
New York City to San Diego, citizens responded with soup kitchens, 
mentoring programs and charitable donations of goods and time. And the 
proud men and women of the U.S. military responded, allowing our 
country to take an aggressive lead in the War on Terrorism.
  I have heard many stories of outstanding individuals who have gone 
above and beyond this call to aid those in their community through 
extraordinary service and exemplary acts. While we reflect on the 
American spirit, it is also important to highlight the measures we have 
taken to prevent future attacks of this magnitude.
  The attacks on our Nation were motivated by intolerant and ignorant 
individuals seeking to forever change our way of life and destroy this 
great Nation. Much like Washington, Adams and Jefferson, we must seek 
to ensure that this country remains an example of democracy and 
freedom--we must be the Patriots of today.
  Since September 11, 2001, all levels and branches of government have 
cooperated to strengthen aviation and border security, stockpile more 
medicines to defend against bio-terrorism, improve information sharing 
among our intelligence agencies and deploy more resources and personnel 
to protect our critical infrastructure.
  At the same time, the changing nature of threats to our nation 
requires a new and reformed government structure to protect against 
enemies who can strike at any time with any number of weapons. As I 
write this column, no single government agency has homeland security as 
its primary mission. In fact, responsibilities for homeland security 
are dispersed among more than one hundred different government 
organizations. America needs a unified homeland security structure that 
will improve protection against today's threats and be flexible enough 
to help meet the unknown threats of the future.
  President Bush has proposed the most significant transformation of 
the U.S. government in over a half-century by consolidating the current 
confusing patchwork of government activities into a single department 
called the Department of Homeland Security. Changing threats require a 
new government structure to meet these threats. The Department of 
Homeland Security will have in one place all the resources needed to do 
what it takes to protect our country. The reorganization of America's 
homeland security infrastructure is crucial to overcoming the enormous 
threat we face today.
  The shocking and tragic events of September 11 reminded us of the 
frailty of life, but today's special session demonstrates our 
resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Thousands went to 
work on September 11 thinking about their jobs, their families, their 
friends--most likely not contemplating their own mortality. Yet in an 
instant, death and injury met them face to face. We must never forget 
those who perished, and we honor them again today. We owe it to their 
memory to ensure that we never face such a loss again. Regrouping as 
individuals and as a nation, we must continue rebuilding, and working 
to defeat the terrorists by growing even stronger as a nation.

                          ____________________