[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2400-H2401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SMART SECURITY, PREVENTING FUTURE ACTS OF TERRORISM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, almost 3 years ago, on September 11, the

[[Page H2401]]

United States faced the most deadly terrorist attack in our history. 
Thousands of people died on that painful day, a day which we will never 
forget as long as we live.
  After September 11, our Nation faced a great challenge, the likes of 
which have not confronted us since the dawn of World War II. Americans 
had a choice, either rise up and directly challenge terrorism at its 
very heart, or pass the buck and leave the problem to someone else. In 
the months that followed September 11, American leaders chose the right 
path. Democrats and Republicans worked together to provide supplemental 
funds for New York City, for Washington, DC, and for the unfortunate 
Americans who tragically lost loved ones that day.
  We also confronted a regime in Afghanistan that harbored many of 
those who helped plan the attacks. But we have been thrown off our path 
in the last 2 years. We did not stay the course in Afghanistan, where a 
sturdy commitment to peacekeeping would have done a great amount of 
good. Instead, the Bush administration shifted focus, taking pains to 
link al Qaeda with Saddam Hussein and with Iraq. This flawed shift in 
strategy culminated 1 year ago when the President of the United States, 
without just cause and without being provoked, made the decision to 
invade Iraq.

                              {time}  2015

  Over 700 Americans have given their lives for this war, roughly 10 
each week, not to mention the thousands wounded, the billions of 
dollars spent, and the good will squandered internationally. There has 
to be a better way, and there is, one that emphasizes brains instead of 
brawn, one that is consistent with American values. I have introduced 
legislation to create a SMART security platform for the 21st century. 
SMART stands for sensible, multilateral American response to terrorism. 
It treats the war as an absolute last resort, it fights terrorism with 
stronger intelligence and multilateral partnerships, it controls the 
spread of weapons of mass destruction with a renewed commitment to 
nonproliferation, and it aggressively invests in the development of 
impoverished nations with an emphasis on women's health and women's 
education.
  We must prevent future acts of terrorism. SMART security is more 
vigilant than the President on fighting terror. Instead of emphasizing 
military force, SMART security focuses on multilateral partnerships. 
SMART security is stronger in its intelligence capabilities and it 
makes it easier to track and detain terrorists. Unlike the defective 
and oppressive U.S. PATRIOT Act, SMART security focuses on tracking and 
arresting those involved in terrorism and in terrorist acts while 
respecting human and civil rights.
  Terrorism is an international problem and so it makes sense that the 
fight against terrorism should involve the international community. 
That is why SMART security calls for working closely with the U.N. and 
NATO to achieve its goals. Only by actively involving other nations in 
this fight can we hope to prevent future acts of terrorism.
  The Bush doctrine has been tried and it has failed. It is time for a 
new national security strategy. SMART security defends America by 
relying on the very best of America, our commitment to peace and 
freedom, our compassion for the people of the world and our capacity 
for multilateral leadership. SMART security is tough, it is pragmatic, 
and it is patriotic. SMART security is smart, and it will keep America 
safe.

                          ____________________