[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 57 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2564-S2568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, last night at about 9 o'clock, I received 
a call at my home in Springfield, IL, from Vice President Biden. It was 
kind of a surprising call on a Sunday night, and I was even more 
surprised when he said Osama bin Laden had been captured and killed and 
President Obama would be making a statement very shortly. I waited up 
to hear that statement. I was catching a plane early this morning, but 
I wanted to hear it firsthand.
  I guess every single one of us can remember where we were on 9/11. I 
know where I was. I was just a few feet away from here. We were in an 
office, a room just off the Capitol floor here--the Senate floor--in a 
meeting with Senator Daschle when we heard about a plane crashing into 
the Trade Center in New York and then another one. And then we realized 
this was not an accident. We watched, as America watched, and we 
wondered would we be next, this building, this big target of a 
building, the U.S. Capitol. Thank goodness the courage of passengers on 
a plane that was brought down in Pennsylvania probably saved many 
lives, maybe my own.
  But we came to know that behind it all was a man named Osama bin 
Laden who declared war on the United States of America and was prepared 
to kill thousands of innocent people to push his terrible extremist 
agenda. For 10 years, we have been engaged in the largest global 
manhunt in history to find this man. President Bush, I am sure, used 
every resource of the government to do that job, and I commend him for 
that effort even though he was not successful. But last night, because 
of the courage of Navy SEALs and our military, who stepped up, Osama 
bin Laden was captured and killed.

  I know, having spoken to people in the White House, that the 
President stuck his neck out on this because there was a question as to 
whether he was actually there. They believed there was enough evidence, 
and the President said: Go forward. We did it without any loss of life 
on the American side or any loss of innocent life of civilians.
  But it appears now that we have taken away the leader of al-Qaida. 
That is a good development for all of us. I do not know if it means 
there will be a more peaceful world. We probably should assume the 
opposite for at least the time being, that these terrorist 
organizations will now strike at the United States to establish they 
are still credible. Well, we have to be vigilant. We have to stop them 
before it happens. And we have to pursue every single one of them for 
whatever it takes to bring them to justice.
  Perhaps, though, it will go in another direction. Perhaps we will 
find that once al-Qaida, the head of the snake, has been chopped off, 
perhaps al-Qaida will start to wither, and I hope it does. If it does, 
maybe some other organizations will have second thoughts about the 
terrorism business. That would be the best outcome, even better if we 
could start bringing our troops home from Afghanistan.
  I commend the men and women in uniform, those yesterday who showed 
such courage, those in the intelligence community who have worked night 
and day for almost 10 years trying to find this man. I commend the 
President for showing the kind of leadership we needed to bring to 
justice the most dangerous terrorist criminal on the face of the Earth. 
It is something that I think speaks well for our government and for our 
people.
  There is one other point I would like to make, and the President made 
it last night in his statement. He repeated what had been said by 
President George W. Bush after 9/11. I had my differences with 
President Bush, but there were moments when I could not have agreed 
with him more and particularly the moment when he made it clear that 
our war against terrorism was not a war against Islam. It was not a war 
against Muslims or Muslim Americans. I was so glad he did it because we 
have seen ample evidence of discrimination against people of that 
religion who have had nothing to do with terrorism but, unfortunately, 
have been discriminated against. Last night, the President repeated 
what we all believe: Islam is not the enemy. Extremism and terrorism 
are the enemies. We will work with Muslim Americans and Muslims around 
the world to protect their religion, their honored religion, and will 
work with them to reduce terrorism.
  The President also reminded everyone listening last night that when 
it came to the victims of Osama bin Laden's terrorism, Muslim people 
were the victims time and time again. He was no friend of the Muslim 
community himself. His life, unfortunately, of killing and violence 
took its toll in many communities, including Muslim communities around 
the world.
  I commend those who continue to work night and day, at every single 
level--Federal, State, and local--to deal with the threat of terrorism. 
This eradication of Osama bin Laden is an important step, but there is 
still much more to be done in terms of fighting this battle. I take 
pride in the work that has been done, a pride that is shared, I am 
certain, by every resident of Illinois and people all across the United 
States.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, every one of us knows where we were at the 
moment we heard the tragic news of the attacks on this Nation on 
September 11. And I trust that all of us will long treasure the moment 
we first heard the great news last night that Osama bin Laden, after a 
decade of determined

[[Page S2565]]

and diligent work by our Armed Forces and by the men and women of the 
American intelligence community, had at long last been captured and 
killed. The successful operation by the Navy SEALs team yesterday was 
the capstone of 10 years of distinguished and honorable service by our 
brave men and women in uniform.
  In Afghanistan, in Iraq, and around the world, literally tens of 
thousands of Americans over this past decade have faced battle 
resolutely, carried out their mission with valor, and made all of us 
proud. When I visited our troops in Afghanistan in February, I saw 
firsthand their determination, their level of professionalism, and 
their commitment to this important and long task.
  I hope, as we face the days ahead and the uncertainty of what will be 
the path forward in our continuing conflict with al-Qaida and all who 
would do us harm, there is no doubt about the determination of the 
American people about our resolve to pursue, capture, and kill all who 
would plan attacks on the United States and on innocent civilians 
around the world.
  I wanted to pause today and simply reflect on all who have sacrificed 
so much. There are hundreds of Delawareans currently serving in 
Afghanistan, some on active duty, some with the Reserves, some with the 
National Guard. My wife and I and our family pray every night, as so 
many do in our Nation, for those who serve us overseas, including 
personal friends of ours, Brooke James, Troy Baucus, and Jeff 
Steinberg, who are folks who are on repeat deployment, whose families 
we know, along with hundreds of others. They have made the sacrifice of 
deployment. There are many others--17 in the case of Delaware--who have 
made the ultimate sacrifice in this decade of conflict in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, including SGT Sean Moudy, who grew up next door to me, and 
SrA Liz Loncki, the first Delaware woman lost in combat, and many 
others who are mourned by their families and communities.
  Tomorrow, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee begins a series of 
six hearings on our path forward in Afghanistan and a review of our 
relationship with Pakistan, our alliances in the region, and the 
incredible investments that we need to continue to make to sustain our 
effort to take the fight to those around the world who would do us 
harm.
  I wanted to come to the floor today and, for a brief moment, pause 
and think about what this historic moment means to the American people.
  It was just a decade ago in the attacks of 9/11 that a group of 
determined and hardened terrorists, led by Osama bin Laden, believed 
they had struck a blow, believed they had hit their target when four 
aircraft that had been commandeered were turned into missiles and aimed 
at principal targets that they thought were the centerpieces of 
America. Two of them succeeded in striking the Twin Towers--knocking 
down columns of steel and glass. One of them succeeded in striking the 
Pentagon and setting ablaze the center of our military might. One more, 
were it not for the intervention of incredibly brave American citizens, 
might well have struck this very building we meet in today or the White 
House.
  They did succeed in tragically taking thousands of innocent lives. 
They did succeed in striking a tough blow to our economy. They did 
succeed in surprising us with an unexpectedly vicious attack on 
thousands of innocent civilians. But they utterly failed to strike at 
our spirit. They failed to knock down our resolve. I know that around 
the world many marveled while thousands of folks flooded out of the 
Pentagon and the Twin Towers, as hundreds of determined volunteers and 
public servants flooded in, risking their lives and, in many cases, 
sacrificing their own lives to try to save some of their fellow 
countrymen. Most important, in the months afterward, millions of 
Americans took up the cause of volunteering to rebuild and restore our 
communities, and thousands volunteered to serve in our Armed Forces.
  It is their resolve, their commitment, their professionalism, the 
great leadership of our Armed Forces, and the decisions made by 
President Obama and Vice President Biden in leading our Nation today 
that have brought us to this moment.
  I want to close by saying that ultimately those who struck us on 9/11 
missed their target. They misunderstood our spirit and our resolve as a 
nation. Last night, on the other side of the world, justice was served. 
The tragedy of those who were lost and the sacrifice of those who chose 
to serve have never been forgotten. But last night, on the other side 
of the world, justice was served.
  Let there be no doubt among anyone around the world who would wish us 
harm, who would today plot to carry forward the terrible terrorist 
dreams of this now-dead man, Osama bin Laden: Our spirit is not broken. 
Our resolve is unbending. Justice will be served.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, John D. Rockefeller once said, ``I do not 
think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as 
the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even 
nature.''
  The hunt for bin Laden seemed to battle against the force of nature 
itself. And the perseverance of those that hunted bin Laden--our brave 
troops, our intelligence officers, and countless other Americans--was 
essential to their success.
  The brave Americans that hunted bin Laden battled a vast expanse of 
ungoverned territory across Afghanistan and Pakistan, central Asia's 
frigid mountains, endless villages in the most remote part of the 
globe. Their mission at times seemed impossible.
  But the perseverance of America's bin Laden hunters helped them 
conquer these challenges: perseverance; hard work; quiet dedication to 
duty. So many Americans worked so hard for so long to make this 
possible. I am so grateful to all those that serve, these quiet 
professionals have made all Americans very, very proud.
  Today, we must pause to reflect on what this means. We remember the 
suffering of the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. We remember the 
sacrifice by our troops serving in harm's way to keep us safe.
  It is fitting that bin Laden lived long enough to witness the utter 
failure of the strategy he masterminded. From his hideout, he saw a 
peaceful revolution in Tunisia. He watched as millions of young 
Egyptians peacefully and proudly demanded change. He learned of 
peaceful protesters embracing democracy, refusing violent extremism in 
every corner of the Middle East--without bombs, without violence, using 
their intellect, their courage, and their pride, these young protesters 
took a path bin Laden had failed to imagine--a path of peaceful, 
democratic change. The future of the Arab world is now in their hands.
  The success of these young democrats stands in stark contrast to the 
ideology of hate and violence that bin Laden dedicated his life to. How 
fitting it is that he saw this Arab spring with his own eyes; that he 
could witness such a thorough defeat to violent extremism.
  We must work hard in the coming years to see that the young 
demonstrators in Tahrir square and across the Middle East succeed. 
Their success will erase the narrative that radical Islam seeks to 
write. These peaceful demonstrations must lead to change and violent 
extremism must continue to fail.
  Looking forward, we face great challenges across the Middle East and 
Central Asia. Osama bin Laden's hideout location raises serious 
questions about our relationship with Pakistan.
  Since 2002, the United States has provided over $18 billion in 
foreign assistance to Pakistan. In 2009, Congress authorized up to $1.5 
billion a year for civilian assistance to Pakistan from 2010 through 
2014. U.S. economic and military assistance to Pakistan was the highest 
of any other country in 2009 except Iraq and Afghanistan.
  In spite of these massive investments, the U.S.-Pakistan relationship 
continues to fray. We seem to be near a breaking point. The Pew 
Research Center found that in 2010 the ``favorable rating'' of U.S. 
among Pakistanis hit 17 percent, the lowest opinion of the U.S. among 
any population on earth.
  During a visit to Pakistan last year, I made it clear to President 
Zardari and General Kayani that Pakistan must do more to eliminate safe 
havens within their own borders. We cannot accept excuses. We need 
results.
  Without progress in Pakistan, we cannot succeed in Afghanistan. 
American troops continue to serve bravely

[[Page S2566]]

under the most difficult conditions every day, without weekends or 
holidays, carrying heavy loads over mountain passes, hunting down the 
Taliban and protecting villages.
  This July, the U.S. will begin to hand over security responsibilities 
to the Army and police force of Afghanistan. I urge the President to 
make this transition robust, orderly, and persistent until all of our 
troops come home. It is time for the Afghan government to step up and 
take responsibility for this mission. American troops should not be 
doing the work that Afghans should be doing for themselves.
  Beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan, our world is rapidly changing. 
Popular movements are transforming the Middle East. Breathtaking 
Chinese growth rates are reshaping East Asia. New technology is 
bringing citizens across the globe closer together: to cooperate, and 
to compete.
  Amid these these changes we are facing enormous challenges at home--
massive deficits, bitter partisanship, rising health care costs, high 
unemployment. We need to work together to make sure the 21st Century is 
the American century. We need to focus on improving education, 
rebuilding roads and bridges, and making the American economy the best 
place to do business in the world.
  The death of Osama bin Laden marks a turning point in history. Today 
is indeed a great day for America. I salute the brave men and women who 
made this day possible. My thoughts are with the hundreds of Montanans 
serving our country overseas. May God Bless America and may He keep our 
brave troops safe.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today is a memorable day in our Nation's 
history. Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the deaths of 
thousands of innocent victims, including so many Americans who were 
lost on September 11, 2001, has been killed.
  I commend President Obama and his national security team for the 
careful planning of this operation, as well as the members of our 
intelligence agencies who have spent years collecting information that 
made it possible.
  As many of us know, when the President nominated Leon Panetta to be 
the Director of the CIA, he told him that his first directive must be 
to find Osama bin Laden. I have known Director Panetta for nearly 30 
years. I know this is a man who, when he takes on a task, takes it very 
seriously. I commend him and all those men and women who have worked 
with him on this. I know he gave singular attention to this issue.
  I join Americans across the country in praising the brave team that 
stormed the compound where bin Laden appears to have been hiding for 
years. They completed their mission without loss of American lives, 
while taking care to avoid civilian casualties.
  I have had the privilege of watching the special forces train. I have 
seen the tremendous level of training the SEALS and the Joint Special 
Operational Command undergo to prepare for dangerous missions like the 
one conducted yesterday. They are remarkable people. Every member of 
that team had to go into the compound yesterday knowing that they may 
not return.
  We remember today the victims of all of the attacks perpetrated by 
the man who more than any other represents the face of international 
terrorism. The September 11 attacks are at the forefront of our minds. 
Nearly 3,000 lives were lost, including those victims of the World 
Trade Center, in the Pentagon, and on the four airplanes. I remember 
that day as vividly as though it were yesterday.
  We remember with gratitude the first responders who rushed in to 
saves lives, even knowing they were risking their own. Many died while 
trying to save others in amazing acts of heroism. And we remember the 
passengers on Flight 93, who put the lives of Americans on the ground 
ahead of their own.
  We also remember the 6 victims of the 1993 World Trade Center 
bombing, and the victims of the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania 
in 1998, which left 224 dead, including 12 Americans. We remember the 
lives of the 17 sailors killed in the bombing of the USS Cole in 
October of 2000. The death of Osama bin Laden will not bring them back 
to us, but we all hope it may help bring closure to family members and 
friends who still grieve their loss.
  Today we remember the lives of the brave American servicemembers who 
have served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the sacrifices 
made by their families, who mourn their loss, or help them recover from 
their injuries.
  Vermonters have answered the call to serve--some for multiple 
deployments with the Vermont National Guard and many most recently with 
the 86th Infantry Brigade, which returned last December. Of course, we 
thank the brave men and women who have worked tirelessly to protect 
American soil from additional attacks.
  Osama bin Laden cloaked his attacks in anti-American rhetoric, but 
his murderous and criminal path took the lives of innocents around the 
world, including many of his own faith. He proved himself to be a cold-
blooded murderer whose indiscriminate attacks led to the deaths or 
maiming of Muslims and people of other faiths all around the world. 
Regrettably, he leaves behind followers who are committed to the same 
message of hate and destruction. They have no regard for the values 
that unite the rest of humanity in common cause.
  President Obama pledged that we would bring bin Laden to justice. 
Last night, we learned that bin Laden has suffered the consequences of 
his atrocities. Justice has been served. Now I hope that Americans will 
claim this moment to stand side by side, as we did in the weeks and 
months following the September 11 attacks. We must transcend our 
differences and stand in unity, unified in our support for the victims 
of bin Laden's crimes and in our resolve to keep our great Nation safe. 
We should also stand united in our commitment to the rights and 
principles that define us as a democratic nation that respects the rule 
of law. That respect is what distinguishes us from those who seek to 
harm us. It is what will ultimately enable us to succeed against them, 
and it is what people around the world expect of America.
  Regrettably, the September 11 attacks, and other acts of 
international terrorism, have often been used to justify policies which 
strayed dangerously from those rights and principles. This has damaged 
our global reputation, hurt our credibility, and made it more difficult 
to build the broadest alliances against terrorism.
  We must also remember, as so many military leaders have told us, that 
military force, while at times necessary, as it was in the operation 
against bin Laden, is not in and of itself a counterterrorism strategy.
  We have seen how, nearly 10 years after 9/11, and after spending 
hundreds of billions of dollars to combat terrorism, the recruitment of 
terrorists among disaffected youth continues apace around the world, 
including in our own country.
  We have also seen how much more we have to do to counter the 
misperceptions and misinformation fomented by extremists about the 
United States and our intentions. Addressing these challenges should be 
a priority as we go forward.
  I urge all Americans to support our President in this continuing 
effort, and I urge all of us in Congress to join together for the good 
of the country and all Americans.
  It is remarkable what this country accomplishes, and how strong and 
brave we are, when we stand together. Now is the time to stand 
together. We have done it before. We can do it now. And we are a better 
country when we do it.
  Mr. President, I see the very distinguished Senator from California 
on the floor. I yield to her.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I thank Senator Leahy for his eloquent 
statement he made about the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden and 
the impact and the need for us to come together as one Nation.
  Mr. President, almost 10 years ago after the horrific attacks of 9/
11, I voted to go after Osama bin Laden, as all of us did in the Senate 
at that time, to make sure justice would prevail. Now we know and the 
world knows that Osama bin Laden has paid the ultimate price for what 
he did.
  His death does not lessen the tragic loss of all those killed by al-
Qaida or

[[Page S2567]]

the pain of their loved ones, but it closes a chapter on his 
unspeakable acts, and there were more than one. They go back to October 
2000. They go back to 1998 when their operatives attacked our people on 
the USS Cole and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and there are 
other attacks that occurred as well.
  What I want to do in a few minutes today is go back to some of the 
things I said on September 12, 2001, from a different seat, because I 
did not have much seniority. I was somewhere over on the front row. The 
reason I want to restate and read from the Record as to what I said on 
that day is because I think it is important for me, for myself, to get 
the type of closure I wanted to get when I cast that vote to go after 
Osama bin Laden, to go to war and get him. It reminds me of that thirst 
for justice we all had on that day and that we still have.
  This is what I said on September 12, 2001:

       Today I rise with pain in my heart and great emotion to 
     offer my prayers and my condolences for the people in this 
     country who have been directly hit by an act of war, people 
     in the State of my birth, New York, looking at that skyline, 
     the people who work at the Pentagon every day who have chosen 
     to work to protect our Nation, and the people of California, 
     my State, who were on those planes that were hijacked and, of 
     course, to every other individual who was directly affected 
     and to all of us who have been affected.

  I went on to say this:

       One of our colleagues said we remember where we were when 
     tragedy hit this country. I remember too many things--not as 
     many perhaps as Senators who are older, but I certainly 
     remember where I was when I saw John Kennedy go down and 
     Martin Luther King go down, the Challenger disaster, and 
     yesterday the image of those planes, commercial and American 
     planes, four of them going down, crashing into buildings, 
     being used as lethal weapons against our people--an image 
     that has shaken us but has not shaken our resolve.

  I went on to say:

       I am going to make a very strong statement. When we look 
     back into history and what happened in Bosnia, people 
     suffered genocide because of their nationality, and to the 
     Holocaust, people suffered annihilation because of their 
     nationality. People were killed yesterday because they were 
     Americans. People were killed not because they were bad 
     people--they were good people--they were killed because they 
     were Americans.

  That is what I said on the day after 9/11/2001. Then I said:

       It is time for us to say we will fight and stand up for 
     them and their memories. We will take a stand against 
     inhumanity that occurred on our own soil. We are resolved to 
     honor those who died. We are resolved to make our Nation as 
     safe as it can be from those acts. We are resolved to hold 
     those who planned these attacks and who harbor these people 
     absolutely 100 percent accountable. We will hold them 
     accountable.

  That is what I said on September 12, 2001.

       They must pay because this is the test of a civilized 
     nation. We lead the civilized nations of the world. We will 
     not back down.
       I stand proudly with my colleagues on both sides of the 
     aisle and with our President. We will be resolved to do 
     everything--and do it well and do it right--to bring justice 
     in the world.

  Later that day, to the press I said:

       I've never been at ground zero in a war, but, after this, 
     war is not an overstatement. The people who perpetrated this 
     are the scum of the Earth, and their views, their philosophy, 
     their version of civilization, if you can call it that, will 
     not stand.

  I am going to conclude my remarks by saying that in my heart, the 
flames of justice are burning bright today. I thank our President for 
his resolve, for ordering this attack--a successful attack--on bin 
Laden's compound. To the bravest of the brave, I understand they were 
Navy Seals who went in there, not thinking 1 second about their own 
lives. The fact that the President ordered this, that he kept it quiet 
while he had to be distracted from things that, let us say, he should 
not have been distracted with--but he did it. He kept his focus.
  It is an important moment in our history. The message is going out to 
anyone who would hurt us: They will be held accountable. They can run, 
but they are never going to hide from us and from justice.
  We know we cannot let down our guard. We know that. But we also know 
we are not going to cower in a corner because we are fearful that 
somebody may try to hurt us. We are prepared. We are going to do 
everything we can to be prepared. But this is quite a moment.
  I will never forget seeing the Pentagon on fire, flames shooting out. 
I was in an office right near here and looked out the window. We were 
told to evacuate the Capitol. That is seared in my memory.
  Anyone who cares about justice, anyone who cares about the truth, 
anybody who cares about fairness and responsibility has to say that 
yesterday was a day when justice was done.
  I am going to close by reading the names of the Californians who lost 
their lives because I told their families I will honor each one in 
every way I can. I think that ending my statement by paying tribute to 
them is important: David Angell of Pasadena; Lynn Angell of Pasadena; 
Seima Aoyama of Los Angeles; Barbara Aresteguis of Los Angeles; Melissa 
Barnes of Redlands; Alan Beaven of Emeryville; Berry Berenson of Los 
Angeles; Carolyn Beug of Los Angeles; Yeneneh Betru of Burbank; Mark 
Bingham of San Francisco; Deora Bodley of Santa Clara; Touri Bolourchi 
of Beverly Hills; Daniel Brandhourst of Hollywood Hills; David 
Brandhourst of Hollywood Hills; Thomas Burnett of San Ramon; Suzanne 
Calley of San Martin; Jefferey Collman of Novato; Dorothy Dearaujo of 
Long Beach; Darlene Flagg of Corona; Dee Flagg of Corona; Wilson Flagg 
of Corona; Lisa Frost of Rancho Santa Margarita; Ronald Gamboa of Los 
Angeles; Andrew Garcia of Portola Valley; Edmund Glazer of Chatsworth; 
Lauren Grandcolas of San Rafael; Andrew Curry Green of Los Angeles; 
Richard Guadagno of Humboldt County; Stanley Hall of Rancho Palos 
Verdes; Gerald Hardacre of Carlsbad; John Hofer of Bellflower; Stephen 
Hyland of Claremont; Barbara Keating of Palm Springs; Chandler Keller 
of El Segundo; Jude Larson of Los Angeles; Natalie Larson of Los 
Angeles; Daniel John Lee of Van Nuys; Maclovio Lopez of Norwalk; Dora 
Menchaca of Santa Monica; Nicole Miller of San Jose; Laurie A. Neira of 
Los Angeles; Ruben Orneda of Los Angeles; Jerrold Paskins of Anaheim 
Hills; Thomas Pecorelli of Los Angeles; Robert Penniger of Poway; Mari-
Rae Sopper of Santa Barbara; Alicia Titus of San Francisco; Otis 
Tolbert of Lemoore; Pendyala Vamsikrishna of Los Angeles; Timothy Ward 
of San Diego; and John Wenckus of Torrance.
  I said then on September 12, in the name of these Californians and in 
the name of the other innocent victims, it is time for the terrorism to 
stop.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington State.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to talk about 
the tremendous news our country received last night from President 
Obama.
  Almost 10 years ago on September 11, 2001, I too remember looking out 
a window in the Nation's Capitol and seeing the black smoke billowing 
in the air over the Pentagon. On that day, America was brutally 
attacked by terrorists who took aim at the financial, military, and 
political centers of our country. And although these evil men killed 
thousands of Americans and caused great devastation, they were unable 
to do what they wanted to do most: break our country's spirit.
  We came together as a community. We mourned, we rallied around the 
families of those who were lost, and we struck back against those who 
did us harm.
  Last night's tremendous news is the close of a major chapter in the 
war on terror. It is a great day for justice and for all Americans to 
remember the strength and resolve of our Nation. I applaud the superb 
work of our intelligence communities and the work of this 
administration that brought the mastermind of the worst attack in our 
Nation's history to justice.
  But today I want to pay special tribute to the men and women in 
uniform who have answered the call to serve after that fateful day 10 
years ago. Since the attacks on New York and Washington, DC, more than 
2 million American servicemembers have stepped forward to serve our 
Nation. Nearly half of these servicemembers have done more than one 
tour of duty abroad. Many who have served have come from the ranks of 
our National Guard and Reserves and have turned a part-time commitment 
into a full-time job protecting our Nation. These men and women who 
chose to join our all-

[[Page S2568]]

volunteer force come from all walks of life and from every corner of 
our Nation. In my home State, thousands have come forward to serve 
while thousands more have come to Washington State to train and make 
their home at our major military installations. These servicemembers 
have done everything we have asked of them and more.
  While it appears that yesterday's raid came without American 
casualties, that, of course, has not been the case for so many missions 
in our fight against terrorism. Since 9/11, nearly 6,000 servicemembers 
have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and more than 40,000 
have been wounded. For many of our servicemembers, the scars of their 
service are visible and for others they are invisible. Many have lost 
those closest to them on the battlefield and have come home with a 
burden that few others know. Others will need a lifetime of care from 
the Department of Defense and the VA. All have left families behind, 
who love and miss them, to protect our country. We cannot forget these 
families and the fact they have sacrificed right by our servicemembers' 
side. Moving from base to base, giving up jobs, putting their loved 
ones and their country before their own needs is a gift we must repay.
  As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it is 
my job to ensure that the lifetime of care that these servicemembers 
and their caregivers need will be delivered.
  So, today, as we appropriately take pride in the most significant 
victory yet in our fight against al-Qaida and terrorism, we should also 
take pause to honor all of the veterans and Active-Duty servicemembers 
who have paved the way to this day. We must also remember that this 
tremendous victory has come with a tremendous cost, a cost that we must 
bear as a nation for many years to come as our servicemembers return 
home.
  Mr. President, this is, of course, also a particularly meaningful day 
for the thousands of Americans who lost a family member or a friend or 
a loved one on September 11. We know this news can't bring back their 
loved ones, but our hope is that it can help ease the pain they live 
with each day.
  Like many Americans, my first thought last night after this news was 
of the victims and their families, and my thoughts and prayers remain 
with them during this time.
  Going forward we must remain vigilant and focused on the protection 
of the American people from terrorism wherever it may be, and we must 
continue to work in the interest of peace and security for all 
Americans.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate the men 
and women of our military for a courageous mission, and our 
intelligence community for accurate and important intelligence.
  I would like to congratulate the President for his persistence in 
bringing a mass murderer to justice, and I would especially like to 
salute the men and women of our military services who, for the last 10 
years, have fought the indispensable consequences of the actions of 
terrorism.
  All of us, as has been said by many Senators today, especially have 
in our hearts and minds the families of the victims of 9/11 and hope 
that somehow, in some small way, this event helps bring some closure to 
what has happened to their lives.

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