[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3140-H3144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR PROMPT RESPONSE TO ATTEMPTED TERRORIST ATTACK IN
TIMES SQUARE
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1320) expressing support for the vigilance and
prompt response of the citizens of New York City, the New York Police
Department, the New York Police Department Bomb Squad, the Fire
Department of New York, other first responders, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, United States Customs and Border Protection, the United
States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the New
York Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department,
Detective Bureau, Patrol Division, and other law enforcement agencies
in Connecticut to the attempted terrorist attack in Times Square on May
1, 2010, their exceptional professionalism and investigative work
following the attempted attack, and their consistent commitment to
preparedness for and collective response to terrorism, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1320
Whereas on Saturday, May 1, 2010, an individual drove a
vehicle loaded with explosive materials to Times Square in
New York City and attempted to detonate a car bomb;
Whereas on the same day, two alert citizens, Mr. Lance
Orton and Mr. Duane Jackson, notified the New York Police
Department about a suspicious vehicle that was parked on 45th
Street in Times Square;
Whereas on the same day, New York City Police Officer Wayne
Rhatigan, while patrolling on horse, responded to the reports
of a suspicious vehicle and acted swiftly with his colleagues
in the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of
New York to thwart the detonation of the car bomb;
Whereas New York City first responders safely evacuated
hundreds of people from Times Square and responded in a
prompt and effective manner, as the result of extensive
terrorism preparedness efforts that are supported, in part,
by the Department of Homeland Security; and
Whereas in response to the Times Square incident, the
Transportation Security Administration has enhanced ongoing
efforts to increase security on various transportation modes:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the actions of Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane
Jackson for promptly alerting appropriate authorities about
the suspicious vehicle in Times Square on May 1, 2010;
(2) urges all Americans to remain vigilant about potential
terrorist or suspicious activity within their own communities
and report such activity to the appropriate authorities;
(3) recognizes the New York City Police Department, in
particular Police Officer Wayne Rhatigan of Mounted Unit
Troop B, the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police
Department Bomb Squad, led by Lieutenant Mark Torre and other
first responders, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United
States Customs and Border Protection, the United States
Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice,
the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bridgeport
Police Department, Detective Bureau, Patrol Division, and
other law enforcement agencies in Connecticut for their
consistent commitment to preparedness for and collective
response to terrorism;
(4) recognizes the exceptional professionalism and
investigative work by the New York Police Department, the New
York Police Department Bomb Squad, the Fire Department of New
York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States
Customs and Border Protection, the United States Attorney's
Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department
of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the New York
Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department,
Detective Bureau, Patrol Division, and other law enforcement
agencies in Connecticut in apprehending a suspect only 53
hours following the attempted bombing; and
(5) urges all Federal agencies to continue to work with
State, local, and tribal partners to bolster preparedness for
and prevention of terrorism.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and insert extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PASCRELL. I rise in support of this resolution, and I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution with my very
good friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) honoring and expressing
support for the vigilance and prompt response of the citizens and the
law enforcement agencies in New York and Connecticut as well as all the
Federal authorities and agencies to the attempted terrorist attack in
Times Square on May 1, 2010, their exceptional professionalism and
investigative work following the attempted attack, and their consistent
commitment to preparedness for and collective response to terrorism.
Mr. Speaker, I have long said that real homeland security starts on
our streets, not in the halls of Washington, D.C. That's never been a
truer statement than today. This shows yet again why we need to support
our local first responders--police, fire, EMTs. Another example. They
were first to respond before any Federal agencies got involved. That's
how it usually always is, be it a manmade catastrophe or a natural
catastrophe. These are the individuals who are the first on the scene
long before those Federal authorities show up. These are the people who
are the eyes and ears of our national security.
Fifty-three hours and seventeen minutes. This is what it took, Mr.
Speaker, for the Federal law enforcement agencies, including the
Department of Homeland Security, to identify and find and apprehend
Faisal Shahzad, the prime suspect for this attempted act of terror on
American citizens. In these 53 hours and 17 minutes, the New York
Police Department, working with Federal and State law enforcement
agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and others,
unraveled the tangled web that eventually led to Shahzad's arrest. I
thank them. We all thank them.
We acknowledge, however, a few people and groups. First, the
alertness and awareness of Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane Jackson for
``seeing something'' on the streets of New York which were out of
order; for ``saying something'' to law enforcement; and not hesitating
to do so. If it were not for these men, many others could have been
hurt and
[[Page H3141]]
Shahzad might not have been apprehended. Think about it. This is the
kind of vigilance which is vital to homeland security efforts. We were
seconds away from an ignition, a fireball. Who really knows the measure
of death and destruction if that incendiary would have been ignited.
Who really knows to this day.
I want to thank the citizens of New York for helping and cooperating
with law enforcement during the precautionary evacuations in the
vicinity of Times Square. I want to acknowledge New Yorkers and their
resilient nature and ability to return to life as normal. Perhaps I
cannot do justice to it as my brother Mr. King would do, but you will
have to accept me for now because he's not here.
I want to express my deep appreciation for the professionalism and
collective response of the following law enforcement agencies: the New
York City Police Department. Always there. Always on duty. Always
knowing that their city is a target. Always looking to find out
information to prevent anything from happening to their citizens.
{time} 1115
How about Police Officer Wayne Rhatigan of the Mounted Unit Troop B,
the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department Bomb
Squad. Look, they put their lives on the line. They could have gone
much slower, that's not their job. That--no one knew--could have been a
deep bomb explosion. They put themselves on the line. We respect them.
Rather than simply pat them on the back, we must commit ourselves--both
sides of the aisle--to make sure that we are always there for our first
responders and not simply be there to say thank you, but beforehand,
give them the resources that they need to defend America and its
neighborhoods.
The New York Police Department Bomb Squad, beyond the regular day of
duty, led by Lieutenant Mark Torre, and other first responders; the
Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Customs and Border
Protection--we know how this character was finally corralled, at the
airport on a plane; the Transportation Security Administration, TSA;
the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New
York; the Department of Homeland Security; the Department of Justice;
the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which has been a model for the
rest of this country; the Bridgeport Police Department, who did so much
work in cooperation with Federal authorities to go to the former home
of the perpetrator, the alleged perpetrator, whichever you desire; the
Detective Bureau; the Patrol Division up in Bridgeport; and other law
enforcement agencies in Connecticut.
Finally, I want to thank our private sector partners, too. If
Emirates Airlines did not comply with Federal procedures, we might not
have apprehended Mr. Shahzad as he was fleeing the country.
Mr. Speaker, while I know others may say that we just got lucky, I
say that they're missing the point. Our post-9/11 efforts to foster
greater vigilance among our citizens and a culture of preparedness and
collaboration among our first responders and law enforcement paid off.
We stayed true to our cherished constitutional principles as we
initiated this wide-scale collective response to terrorism.
Simply put, Mr. Speaker, while the time line for identifying and
apprehending the suspect--53 hours and 17 minutes--is impressive, it is
the continued vigilance and demonstrated commitment to working together
to keep our country secure which is really impressive, and in awe it
leaves us.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume,
and I would like to certainly associate myself with the comments of my
good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) on this occasion.
I rise today, as do many others in this Chamber, in support of House
Resolution 1320, which commends the vigilance of the many individuals
and organizations that helped prevent what could have been a
catastrophic terrorist attack in Times Square this past weekend.
We should all be extraordinarily thankful that alert street vendors
saw something out of place and promptly alerted authorities, who took
immediate action to secure the scene and ensure the safety of the many
people who are in and around Times Square, which has been called the
``Crossroads of the World.''
This incident is only the most recent in a string of attempted
attacks on New York City. This attack and recent plots to blow up the
New York City subway trains and pipelines at JFK Airport--which have
also been disrupted--show that Islamic terrorists have their sights set
squarely on New York City.
This whole notion of homegrown radicalization is something that we
are all deeply concerned about. There is the radical cleric in Yemen,
Anwar al-Awlaki, for example, who has been involved with many of the
attacks or attempted attacks, including Major Hasan at Fort Hood,
Texas, or Abdulmutallab, the so-called ``underwear bomber,'' and his
attempted Christmas Day attack. And we have others out there, too, who
are homegrown radicals, and it is an increasing concern. Now the most
recent radicalization that we've seen here is, of course, Mr. Shahzad.
But these plots should have served to reinforce our efforts to secure
New York City and every other city in America from devastating
terrorist attacks.
The administration, unfortunately, had proposed cutting funding for
or eliminating critical Homeland Security initiatives in New York and
elsewhere. There are many initiatives that need to be addressed
immediately, such as the Securing the Cities program, which is a
successful State and local partnership to help prevent nuclear and
radiological terrorism in and around New York. The House has passed
legislation to authorize funding for this important initiative, for
which the administration has proposed eliminating.
The administration has also proposed dismantling the U.S. Coast
Guard's New York City-based Maritime Safety and Security Team, which
strengthens the maritime security in and around the city. These
reductions are being proposed at the same time that the administration
has pursued trying alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in
civilian court just blocks away from where the World Trade Center once
stood.
We should be more concerned about properly funding counterterrorism
initiatives and finding every way possible to make sure that New York
and our entire country is as secure as possible instead of bringing
terrorists to America and granting them rights to which they are not
entitled.
We all owe a huge debt of gratitude, of course, to the New York
Police Department, to the Fire Department of New York, the FBI, Customs
and Border Protection, and alert citizens who saw something and said
something to help us dodge a potentially very deadly bullet.
I hope that Congress and the administration get serious about
properly funding important initiatives that will strengthen the
security of New York City and our entire country because we may not be
so lucky the next time New York or any other city comes under attack.
Again, I want to commend everybody involved with helping to derail
this attempted attack, especially the Police Department of New York and
the FBI, and everybody else who was involved. I commend Mr. McMahon for
bringing this legislation to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. May I inquire as to how much time we have remaining on
both sides?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New Jersey has 12
minutes. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 16 minutes.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Mr. Hall from New
York.
Mr. HALL of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
I rise today in support of H. Res. 1320, honoring the brave Americans
who acted quickly and professionally to keep the attempted bombing in
Times Square last Saturday from becoming a tragedy.
The people of New York City, the New York Police and Fire
Departments, the New York Bomb Squad, and others worked together to
identify the attack, evacuate civilians, and then defuse the device.
[[Page H3142]]
In particular, I would like to call attention to the actions of Duane
Jackson and Lance Orton, both disabled Vietnam veterans who work as
street vendors in Times Square. I have the honor of representing Mr.
Jackson, who lives in the town of Buchanan in Westchester County. His
and Mr. Orton's quick thinking turned what could have been a tragedy
into an example of American heroism. All New Yorkers and Americans owe
them a debt of gratitude that there were no grieving families on
Saturday night. They served their country once again and showed the
remarkable character of the men and women who wear the uniform of this
country and continue to serve long after they take that uniform off.
Events like this are calculated to strike fear into our hearts, even
when they fail. However, they also serve as a reminder that in this
great Nation we are surrounded by everyday heroes like Lance Orton and
Duane Jackson.
Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlelady from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding and thank him for
bringing this resolution to the floor so that we can all rise and sing
the praises for the vigilance and sense of community of New Yorkers,
the courage of our first responders, and the professionalism,
commitment, and determination of our local, State, and Federal law
enforcement officers. We salute them. They were prepared. They were
ready to act. They calmly did what was necessary. And because of their
swift action, the people of New York and the entire Nation remain safe.
I thank Congressmen McMahon, Himes, Hall, and all of our colleagues
who have sponsored this resolution, recognizing the bravery and, again,
the vigilance of individuals and officers of New York and Connecticut
as well as the leadership of the FBI, the Department of Homeland
Security, the Department of Justice, and the Obama administration.
In the wake of this foiled terrorist plot, we are inspired by the
true character of the American people. We recall that our country's
spirit can always be found in the hearts and deeds of its citizens,
people like Lance Orton and Duane Jackson, ``two alert citizens''--and
aren't we fortunate for that--as this resolution calls them, who
notified the NYPD of a suspicious vehicle in Times Square. The whole
country learned of their vigilance and their sense of community.
Our country's resolve rests with police officers such as Wayne
Rhatigan of the NYPD, who responded immediately to the scene and, with
his fellow officers and with the men and women of the New York Fire
Department, thwarted the detonation of the car bomb.
Our country's strength remains with first responders who run into
danger when others run out, who safely and promptly evacuated Times
Square, protecting those in harm's way. Our country's determination
lies with law enforcement at the local, State, and Federal levels who
worked together, pursued leads, and detained the bomber within 2 days
of the attempted attack, never resting until the job was done.
At moments like this, Congress reaffirms our responsibility, as we do
each day, Mr. Speaker, as we pledge to protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and
domestic. That responsibility is to protect the American people as
well. That is our first responsibility.
As this resolution states, we ``urge all Americans to remain vigilant
about potential terrorists or suspicious activity within their own
communities.'' We must follow the example of the people of New York
who, as President Obama has said, ``have reminded us once again of how
to live with their heads held high.''
Mr. Hall, in his closing remarks, said that the attempt by this
terrorist to instill fear was thwarted. The goal of terrorists is to
instill fear. The damage is one thing to them, but the fear is really
their goal. In that way, in both parts of the attempt, it was thwarted.
The violent attack was thwarted, but also, as the President said, we
will not be intimidated.
This past weekend, everyday Americans joined our police officers,
firefighters, first responders, Homeland Security officials, FBI
agents, and other law enforcement personnel as heroes. They are all
heroes, and we salute them as such on the floor of the House. Their
efforts represent the best in America. Their response serves as an
inspiration to us all to stay prepared and do everything we can to keep
our great country safe.
Again, I thank Mr. Pascrell for bringing this resolution to the floor
and join in a bipartisan way in saluting the heroes of New York.
Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New Jersey has 10 minutes
remaining.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Himes), a member of the Homeland Security Committee.
{time} 1130
Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the vigilant citizens
and law enforcement officials of New York City and Connecticut whose
efforts resulted in bringing Faisal Shahzad into custody a mere 53
hours after his failed bomb attempt in Times Square this past weekend.
From the alertness of Lance Orton and Duane Jackson, noticing a
suspicious vehicle in midtown Manhattan on Saturday, to the response of
the NYPD to the report, to the arrest of Mr. Shahzad late Monday
evening, to the ongoing investigation into how the bombing happened,
local, State, and Federal law enforcement officials have led a
coordinated effort that will bring the facts forward, allow us to learn
and improve, and bring the terrorist to justice.
Without this interagency communication, this incident could have
escalated into a far more serious and dangerous incident. We must
continue to work with State and local partners to bolster preparedness
and terrorism prevention efforts.
To my constituents in Connecticut, I know that the discovery that the
suspect in the Times Square bombing attempt has been living in
Fairfield County is a jarring reminder that, due to our proximity to
New York City, we face special and uncertain security concerns.
Fairfield County was uniquely impacted by 9/11, and this incident is a
timely reminder that we must remain sensitive and alert to our unique
vulnerability.
I want to specifically recognize the Bridgeport Police Department,
including Captain James Viadero and members of the detective bureau, as
well as the Bridgeport Police Department's patrol division and members
of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, supervised by Sergeant Juan
Gonzalez, Jr., for their role in the events of the last few days. I
thank all who helped avert a catastrophe.
Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I wonder what would have happened if
Officer Rhatigan was not on the scene to be alerted by the two citizens
I mentioned before. This is exactly why we need to fund our first
responders based on security needs. We need no other barometer.
America's intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies, are critical
to the task of protecting our citizens and our neighborhoods. But also
on duty every day are our first responders--that local responder is the
first. On 9/11 they were the first to respond. And a few days ago they
were the first to respond after being alerted by two citizens of New
York. Keep this in mind every day when we see the EMTs and the
firefighters of our local towns and our police officers on duty. They
need more than a pat on the back. They need more than our
encouragement. They need our votes to make sure that we sustain the
resources necessary for them to protect all of America.
I know when these things happen, we rise up and then a few days later
we might just forget, but we cannot forget.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have presented this resolution today
along with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent).
Mr. NADLER of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1320.
[[Page H3143]]
H. Res. 1320 describes what happened on Saturday, May 1, 2010,
concerning the car bomb discovered in Times Square. As the Member of
Congress who represents Times Square, I am particularly concerned about
these events. We came perilously close to a terrible tragedy, with
widespread injuries and loss of life.
As described by this resolution, it was thanks to the alertness of
two fellow New Yorkers, Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane Jackson, that we
first became aware of the car bomb. They brought it to the attention of
the New York Police Department, NYPD. The heroes of the NYPD and FDNY
then secured the area, took care of the bomb, and safely evacuated
those nearby.
Subsequently, agents and officials with the NYPD, Department of
Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland
Security, DHS, and other law enforcement agencies worked quickly and
diligently to apprehend the alleged perpetrator, Faisal Shahzad. Due to
their speed, they apprehended him before he could flee the country. I
want to salute all of those involved in addressing this situation and
acting to protect the public. I sincerely thank them for their service.
The events of this past weekend should be a loud wake-up call to all
Americans. It is a stark reminder that there are sick people in this
world who think it is right to murder innocent men, women, and children
to make political points. It is a stark reminder that these sick people
will stop at nothing to bring this war of terror to America. And, it is
a stark reminder that New York City is a prime target.
To protect New York City, and the millions of people who live, work,
and visit each day, we need more antiterrorism funding directed there.
The formulas used to distribute such funds, while improved, still
ignore the reality that New York City is the number one target.
Increased funds could be used, for example, to support more and better
surveillance cameras for public places, as well as for a larger police
presence.
More money also could be used to fund the Securing the Cities
Initiative. This effort is designed to prevent a radiological or
nuclear device from coming into a major city like New York. The horror
of what could have happened if the car bomb in Times Square had
contained radiological or nuclear material is unimaginable. I have
supported efforts to properly fund this program, and I will continue to
do so.
Further, it is important to remember that our ports, including New
York City, remain vulnerable. I fought for, and we enacted into law, a
requirement that 100 percent of shipping containers coming into the
United States be scanned electronically before they arrive in this
country. If we wait until a container with a radiological or nuclear
device gets to our shores, it is already too late. We need to stop such
shipments before they are here. The 100 percent scanning requirement
takes effect in 2012, but DHS has indicated they likely will miss the
deadline. I call on fellow Members of Congress concerned about
terrorism to help me see that it is implemented fully, and as soon as
possible.
These are just a few ways we could make our country safer. The
attempted attack on Times Square tells us we have no time to waste. To
protect ourselves and our country, we must act now.
I want to thank Representative Michael McMahon for introducing H.
Res. 1320. I also want to again thank the heroes who acted so quickly
to take care of what otherwise could have been a deadly situation. I
urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to urge my colleagues to pass
H. Res. 1320, a resolution honoring the citizens of New York City, the
brave men and women of the NYPD, the FDNY, and all our federal and
state partners in law enforcement and homeland security for their
vigilance and prompt response to the attempted terrorist attack in
Times Square this past Saturday, May 1, 2010.
I heard the news of the Times Square incident while traveling in
Afghanistan and Pakistan, examining the connections between extremism
across the world and terrorist attacks on our own soil.
And given the events of this past week, and the arrest of Faisal
Shahzad the link is far too clear.
This resolution, which I introduced with my colleagues Congressman
Jim Himes, and Congressman John Hall, along with the entire New York
delegation, is in honor of New York City's local law enforcement teams,
federal agencies and vigilant citizens for keeping our city, people and
country safe. We commend their excellent, professional police and
investigative work that led to the quick arrest of this terrorist.
Unfortunately, the fear of terrorism is never far from the mind of
any New Yorker.
On Saturday, we were all reminded of the heart-felt loss that we
endured nine years ago on September 11, 2001 and how much our world has
changed since that tragic day.
New York City remains our nation's number one terrorist target--our
greatest symbol of freedom, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit. It
is our nation's financial and cultural capital and as New York Police
Commissioner Ray Kelly said yesterday, the terrorists are going to keep
trying to attack us in New York City again and again.
That is why the federal government must increase homeland security
funding and protection for New York City. Anti-terror funding must be
distributed in a way that prioritizes those areas that are most at risk
for future attacks.
I urge this body to increase funding and security programs in high
priority areas like New York because protecting the homeland is just
too important for politics as usual. Found immediately after the
botched attack was a map on the Metro North Railroad to Connecticut
identifying my own beloved Staten Island Ferry as a target and the
subway stops that serve the Manhattan terminal as potential targets.
Walt Whitman once said that ``The genius of the United States is not
best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors
or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its
newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.''
On Saturday, two Times Square vendors--Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane
Jackson--saw smoke billowing out of a SUV parked on West 45th Street in
Times Square and took action.
They immediately contacted New York City Police Officer Wayne
Rhatigan who started evacuating the area and called for additional NYPD
and FDNY support, including the bomb squad.
These people saw something wrong and said something--and their
actions saved lives and led to the arrest of a man who was seeking to
kill countless numbers of innocent people.
Although, the actions of everyone involved in preventing Saturday's
potential tragedy are remarkable, all Americans need to remain alert--
and we in the Congress need to support the brave men and women of the
NYPD, and law enforcement officers across the Nation with the resources
necessary to keep our Nation safe.
As Americans we learn not only from our mistakes but from our
successes. The capture of Faisal Shahzad is commendable, but we have to
examine why he was allowed to board an aircraft after being added to a
no-fly list and why it took until literally the last minute before
departure for him to be apprehended. We have got to get to a system for
our security and our protection where we track every single person both
entering and exiting our country.
In addition we must also continue to support our military and
intelligence operations abroad to dismantle these terrorist networks. I
just came back from Afghanistan and Pakistan and I can tell you the
front line of our security right here at home is in those two
countries. Our troops are the front line of defense in protecting the
homeland from terrorism and they deserve our support and appreciation.
I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 1320.
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1320,
a resolution which commends the vigilance of the many individuals,
first responders, law enforcement, and homeland security personnel for
helping prevent what could have been a very deadly terrorist attack in
Times Square last weekend and bring into custody the person who has
admitted responsibility for this failed attack. I am pleased to be an
original cosponsor of this resolution.
When Faisal Shahzad drove his bomb-laden SUV into Times Square on the
evening of Saturday, May 1, 2010, New York City and all America were
once again reminded of the thin line between security and tragedy.
This attack was just the most recent of 11 attempts since September
11, 2001, to visit terror on New York City. I cannot say enough about
the efforts of the New York Police Department, its local partners, and
the Federal agencies, particularly the FBI, that have worked to prevent
these incidents and keep the City safe.
The resolution highlights how two vigilant citizens, Mr. Lance Orton
and Mr. Duane Jackson, saw something and said something to an alert
NYPD officer, Wayne Rhatigan, who secured the scene and the safety of
those who were at what has been called the ``Crossroads of the World.''
We are also indebted to the New York Police Department and its Bomb
Squad, the Fire Department of New York, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other homeland
security and law enforcement personnel for helping to foil this attack
and capture the guilty terrorist.
Unfortunately, even after these 11 wake-up calls, not everyone
recognizes that New York City is the nation's top terror target and
that we must do everything possible to ensure the safety and security
of New Yorkers and those
[[Page H3144]]
visiting this great City. New York simply cannot be expected to prevent
terrorist attacks alone. Protecting New York City is not a local issue.
It is a national issue; a national security issue.
What if the bomb that Faisal Shahzad parked in Times Square had
detonated, and included radiological or nuclear material? How many
lives would have been lost? How long would it have taken for New York's
economy--and the nation's economy--to recover?
One of the best ways to stop that nightmare scenario would be to
properly fund the Securing the Cities Program, which is the only
Federal program of its kind to establish a ring of radiological
detectors on bridges, tunnels, and mobile platforms in the region to
prevent a radiological or nuclear attack. Unfortunately, the
Administration has eliminated funding for this key program, even though
in January 2010 the House of Representatives passed my legislation to
authorize and fund the program.
New York City Mayor Bloomberg testified in the Senate this morning
and stated: ``Since 1990, there have been more than 20 terrorist
plots--or actual attacks--against our City. That's why it's so critical
for Congress to fully fund homeland security programs like the Securing
the Cities--and to take other steps that will help us fight terrorists
and make it harder for them to attack us.''
NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly stated on Sunday that the Lower Manhattan
Security Initiative has yet to be extended to Midtown Manhattan because
of the lack of Federal funding. With just $50 million, this ``Ring of
Steel'' would give the NYPD a force multiplier throughout Midtown and
allow it to expand its reach across the entire city.
The Administration has also proposed eliminating the Coast Guard's
Maritime Safety and Security Team in New York City, weakening the
City's defenses against a waterborne attack. The Administration has
also proposed cutting funding for New York City-area mass transit and
port security.
The stark reality is that New York City is the number one target for
terrorists. New Yorkers live under constant threat of attack. But the
Federal government can minimize those threats by properly funding
counterterrorism initiatives based on risk and fund programs in the
places they are most needed, like New York City.
Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support this resolution to show
our gratitude to the brave and selfless efforts of the first responders
and everyone involved who helped turn into a triumph what could have
been a tragedy.
Mr. PASCRELL. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1320, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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