[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H3050-H3056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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JUSTICE IS SERVED: THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 5, 2011, the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I want to really focus today on an extraordinary event that took
place on Sunday, that is, American time, but before I do that, I just
want to take a couple of minutes having sat here listening to the last
45 minutes on energy policy, just a couple of things.
The President is not suggesting that we raise taxes on fuel but that
we eliminate subsidies to the oil industry that has received, for a
century, American taxpayers' support, and those subsidies are no longer
needed given the extraordinary profits that they are making. We ought
to also consider that last year, ExxonMobil paid zero Federal income
tax, yet they had billions, about $11 billion, of profit.
The second point, the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is up this
year compared to the previous year, and even though there is more
production of oil out of the Gulf of Mexico, we've still seen this
spike in gasoline prices. So the notion that somehow more drilling in
the Gulf of Mexico will drive prices down is just not the case, because
we've seen more production and yet a spike in prices.
Finally, with regard to the bills that were just announced during the
middle of this discussion about drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the
Democratic Party wants to make sure that that drilling is done safely;
the President wants to make sure that drilling is done safely. And what
we have suggested, that when these bills come to the floor, they be
amended so that the recommendations made by the commission that studied
the blowout on the BP platform, that those safety recommendations be
put into the law. I guess that's not such a bad idea, but I want to
just get that out here just so we have some understanding about what
was discussed over this last hour.
But what I really want to do--and I see my colleague from South
Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) here--is focus on an extraordinary and extremely
important event that took place on Sunday, American time, and Monday,
Pakistani time. The United States persevered for a decade to get Osama
bin Laden. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, was
determined during his campaign for Presidency and in the very first
moments of his Presidency that he would focus like a laser beam on
getting Osama bin Laden. It took some time. It took an extraordinary
effort by the intelligence community, by the military, by this Congress
in providing the necessary support and by our colleagues in other
branches of government to get the job done. It was accomplished, and
finally that banner on that aircraft carrier has real meaning--Mission
Accomplished.
Mission Accomplished. Osama bin Laden is no more. The man that was
responsible for the biggest mass murder ever in this Nation's history
is no more. President Obama, we thank you. We thank the men and women
of this military and the intelligence community that made this happen.
We applaud the courage of all that were involved and the wisdom and the
determination to get the mission accomplished.
Let me now turn to our colleague from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).
Mr. CLYBURN. Thank you so much. Thank you for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend and give thanks to all those who
played roles in the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin
Laden.
First and foremost, President Obama who came into office determined
to renew the focus on Osama bin Laden, and he has delivered. His gutsy
decision to proceed with the raid as he did, as opposed to striking the
compound from the air, will go down in history as one of the great
Presidential decisions of all time.
Next, the Navy SEALs who carried out the mission. Their unparalleled
courage, dedication, and physical and mental strength are truly awe
inspiring and were crucial for the success of the operation.
We have been trying to eliminate the threat to our homeland since
1993, and
[[Page H3051]]
the effort has continued unabated as the White House and the Congress
have switched hands several times.
While nothing can bring back the lives lost in the World Trade Center
back in 1993, our Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, the USS Cole and the Twin Towers on September 11, last
Sunday's events serve as a modicum of closure for many Americans and
should be a reminder to those who wish to do us harm that America does
not waver in the pursuit of justice.
God bless the brave men and women, and their families, who work every
day to protect our Nation and its people.
Before closing, I want to also thank CIA Director Leon Panetta and
all the unsung heroes in our intelligence community who do their work
anonymously and seldom receive deserved accolades. Their families
sacrifice immensely so that they can serve our country.
God bless the United States of America. Thank you.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Mr. Clyburn, for your heartfelt
and very, very appropriate words.
The mission that was carried out was not something that came about
just in a matter of days. It had been planned over the course of many,
many years, and, with determination, the intelligence community, led by
most recently Mr. Panetta, worked tirelessly to track down Osama bin
Laden. It took a great deal of time and many, many years but ultimately
succeeded in ways that the news media is now beginning to report. We
can only give thanks and congratulations to that part of this mission
and their determination and steadfastness to stay on the track, to
follow every lead and to find every stone that needed to be turned over
so that ultimately success could be had in locating Osama bin Laden.
I think we all now know a great deal more about Abbottabad and what
it is, a community, not large, but what was this strange new compound
doing in that particular location? We found out precisely what it was
doing and we took the steps necessary.
I think all of us have seen pictures of the Situation Room at the
White House, with American leaders surrounding a table, looking at the
television screens, watching in real time what was going on half the
world away. I think all of us could see the concern on the faces of
those leaders, the President, the Secretary of State, Mr. Panetta and
others who were there who had spent their previous hours preparing for
the mission and making a very difficult decision.
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They knew that this was an extremely risky program that could quite
possibly fail, and I'm sure they had the failure of the mission that
President Carter ordered three decades before to go into Iran to rescue
the hostages, I'm sure that weighed heavily on their minds.
But nevertheless, the President made a very, very courageous decision
to accept the risk of failure and quite possibly to succeed in finally
dealing with the mass murderer Osama bin Laden. We must keep in mind
that it wasn't just Americans who were murdered here on the shores of
this Nation, but in Pakistan and in other countries around the world,
al Qaeda murdered far more people in those countries.
I notice now that I'm joined here by my colleagues. I'd like to turn
to my colleague from San Diego. Susan, if you would care to join us,
thank you.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Thank you. I'm delighted to join you, and I
want to thank you so much for taking this time today.
We know that the events that occurred just a few days ago were really
the result of multiple government agencies working together over a
number of years, but today, at this time, I want to rise to honor one
of our Nation's finest fighting forces, our Navy SEALs.
My district is home to Coronado, which houses both the Coronado Naval
Amphibious Base, where all SEALs undergo basic training, as well as the
Naval Special Warfare Command; and over the years, I've had the
pleasure of meeting these brave young SEALs who are willing to do a job
that most of us would rather not even imagine, and, quite frankly, we
can hardly imagine many of the things that they're asked to do. And,
you know, the most amazing thing to me is they do this job so quietly.
They really don't talk about their work, but you can see it often on
their faces and the fact that they are very proud of what they do and
they are very proud to be Americans.
These men ask nothing in return for the work that they do, a quality
that I certainly admire in them, not only among our Special Forces but
among our brave men and women in uniform across the services.
So I rise to say a very big and grateful thank you. You ably and
swiftly removed one of the most heinous criminals this world has ever
seen, and I simply want to say thank you to our SEALs for a job very
well done, and I'm very proud to represent you. Hoo-yah.
Thank you.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Representative Davis. I share
your enthusiasm. Not too long ago, I also represented San Diego but in
a different role, not as a Representative but as Lieutenant Governor.
Indeed, Coronado is an extraordinary place, and the naval forces that
are such a prominent part of San Diego did play a role in this in many,
many ways. I was trying to recall whether the aircraft carrier that
ultimately did the final burial at sea was stationed in San Diego. I
think it was a San Diego aircraft carrier.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Yes, it was.
Mr. GARAMENDI. So what we have here is another way in which the
American Armed Forces, in the many different ways, in the case that you
talked about, the role of the Special Forces, the special operations,
and the SEALs that actually participated, carried out the mission, and
the aircraft carrier, and then in between the Air Force and the Army,
all of them playing a role. It's an extraordinary example of the way in
which military power, properly focused on a very important task, is
able to carry it out.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Yes.
I think the other thing that we realize, and those of us in San Diego
are so aware of our Navy, but all the other agencies that work well
together, that's important. And over the years it hasn't always been
that way at the level that it is today, and I think that's why they
were so successful. And as we've had an opportunity to read newspapers
throughout this country and to have some opportunity as well to speak
to the people who were key in carrying out this operation, that's
something that they're very proud of, that the communication, that
the--we use the word ``synergy'' a lot, but people came together on
many different levels and, quite honestly, it's something that probably
would not have been possible quite a number of years ago, but it is
today. And I think that it's something I hope that our enemy is paying
attention to because we are a lot abler, a lot more smart, a lot more
capable of carrying out these kinds of activities, and it should make
those who want to do us harm think twice.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Absolutely correct, and I thank you so very much for
your participation tonight in honoring and congratulating President
Obama and the special operations and the American intelligence
community for what they were able to accomplish. Finally, mission
accomplished.
I'd like now to turn to our new colleague just a little less
experienced than myself, Mr. Clarke from the State of Michigan and the
city of Detroit.
Mr. CLARKE of Michigan. Thank you, Representative Garamendi.
I, too, want to commend the Obama administration, our military
forces, the national security and intelligence team for mission
accomplished by taking out America's public enemy number one, Osama bin
Laden. And while I believe it's important that we continue to work to
eliminate terrorist breeding grounds and safe havens for terrorism that
exist in foreign countries, because bin Laden is now gone, this is the
time to reassess our mission in Afghanistan.
For example, we've been spending in recent years in total military
and civilian aid to Afghanistan approximately $100 billion. That's
billion with a ``B.'' We could take a share of that money, a share of
those billions, redirect it to the United States to better protect
Americans right here at home, invest that money in homeland security,
for sound intelligence, to better
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protect our borders, and also to support our first responders. And what
I'm talking about is our local police officers, our local firefighters,
our emergency medical providers. They need resources now because State
and local governments really don't have the money to properly fund
those operations. They need money. They need our support because our
local police and fire, that's our first line of defense against
terrorism here in the United States. Let's return some of that money
here to protect Americans in the homeland, because it's American tax
dollars in the first place that we're spending in Afghanistan.
Similarly, we spend billions of dollars in economic assistance to
help rebuild Afghanistan. I am not taking great issue with that, but we
could take a portion of that money to help rebuild our cities, rebuild
our manufacturing capacity, repair our roads and bridges, build
industrial parks and new schools. We're doing all of this right now in
Afghanistan. We can do more of that right here at home for Americans.
So I want to thank, again, the Obama administration for a job well
done, taking out our number one public enemy. This now provides us an
opportunity to reassess how we're spending our money overseas,
especially in Afghanistan, to redirect more of those funds right here
at home because Americans, we need it. It's our money in the first
place.
We can create jobs if we invest some of that in manufacturing, invest
some of that in cities like the city of Detroit which are the basis of
our manufacturing capacity, those types of industrial cities all around
the country. And we know we need the industrial parks and schools.
Afghanistan, yes, we're rebuilding that infrastructure there. Let's
do the same thing. Let's do more of that right here in the United
States. That's how we can help all of us make it in America, and that
makes the world a better place to live.
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Finally, the real homeland security comes from within. When you take
care of Americans and you make America stronger, that's the best way to
fight off terrorists. The best way to defend ourselves against a threat
that comes from overseas is to make sure that we are as strong as
possible right here at home. Let's return some of that money to help
serve Americans because, again, it's American tax dollars in the first
place. I appreciate you giving me this opportunity to speak on these
issues.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Mr. Clarke.
Your concern about the economy of Detroit and, in a larger sense, the
economy of the United States is very, very well founded. There is no
doubt that the economic and social strength of America is the
foundation upon which every other aspect of the war on terrorism must
be fought. We have to deal with our economy. And you're quite correct
about the allocation of resources.
I notice that New Jersey and Rush Holt, who has been a stalwart in
dealing with the policies of protecting America in many ways, energy
policy and the rest, has joined us. Mr. Holt, if you would care to join
in and share your thoughts on this most important event, the
elimination of the world's greatest mass murderer.
Mr. HOLT. Thank you, Representative Garamendi, and thanks for setting
aside some time tonight to recognize this work by some great patriots.
When I heard the news on Sunday, my thoughts turned immediately to
those harmed by bin Laden's vicious attacks on our embassies, our
ships, planes, the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the many
thousands of deaths caused by the havoc he sewed. Our hearts go out to
those families.
Certainly in central New Jersey, we lost hundreds and hundreds of
people on September 11, but we mustn't forget those who died in the
embassies a couple of years before that, those who died in the wars
that followed. Middletown, New Jersey, lost more people on September 11
than any other single town, except New York City. They went off to
work, not understanding that this evil was at play, that Mr. Bin Laden
was plotting just the most dastardly thing that you can imagine.
America's military and intelligence services demonstrated why they
are known as the best in the world. Bin Laden's removal was of course
not immediately the end of the threat of terrorism against the United
States, but his death represents a crippling blow to the organization
responsible for these many attacks over the last 13 years. It really is
appropriate that we congratulate President Obama and the dedicated and
brave members of our military and intelligence services for acting as
they did.
The President showed that he understands intelligence efforts and
military operations, and the Special Forces showed that they have
skills and equipment like no others. The hunt for Zawahiri and other al
Qaeda leaders will continue. I suspect that the information gathered in
the assault on bin Laden this week will speed that search. I spent a
number of years on the Intelligence Committee here in the Congress and
learned a great deal about the dedication and skills of these people
that work behind the scenes.
When the United States began its military campaign in Afghanistan
nearly a decade ago, our goal was to bring to justice bin Laden and
other al Qaeda leaders that were responsible for the attacks. It's
worth noting that the senior most al Qaeda leaders have been captured
or killed not in Afghanistan but in Pakistan. That fact only reinforces
my conviction that the time has come for the United States to begin a
swift and orderly withdrawal of our combat forces from Afghanistan, and
I hope the President will heed the call of people all over the country
and, I would say, all over the world to do precisely that.
As we celebrate the courage and the work of the Special Forces, we
must also talk about the intelligence services, where they combine
enormous skill and brain power and perseverance and, yes, courage. They
are frequently only one intelligence leak away from losing all their
work or sometimes their lives.
The fact that this has taken more than a dozen years since the
bombing of the embassies to track down bin Laden and his evil
operations emphasizes the need for full reliable cooperation with other
countries, not intermittent sometime cooperation. It should have been,
America would have wanted, the world would have wanted that this be
completed sooner. So we need that international cooperation. This
demonstrates it.
As Mr. Clarke, our colleague, points out though, the day-to-day
protection of Americans won't be done by Special Forces. It will be
done by courageous Americans who do the right thing day in and day out,
our local first responders, the investigators. That's how most--in
fact, nearly all of the potential terrorist attacks that have been
beaten, undone, have been uncovered.
So this is sobering to think about what we have in front of us yet,
but we know we have good people working on it. We saw that this past
week, and we celebrate them and congratulate them and our leaders for
carrying it out.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Holt, thank you very much.
A couple of things about your discussion really struck me as being
very, very important. You reminded us of the men and women that died
not only on September 11, the impact on the community that you
represent there in New Jersey, and other communities but also the fact
that men and women died in the previous attacks that were sponsored and
planned by al Qaeda. You also reminded us that there were men and women
not of this country but of other countries, Kenya, Tanzania, Iraq,
Pakistan, and other countries, that were also the victims of the
vicious evil attacks that were planned and carried out by al Qaeda.
It's not just Americans that were the targets of this organization.
And you also reminded us of the importance of our own first responders
and police and others here in the United States. We know that the reach
of al Qaeda is not just Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan. It includes Yemen
and Somalia and other countries and America, that there are Americans
that have been radicalized by the message. We need to deal with that
and address those individuals and organizations that may exist within
our own country.
Mr. HOLT. If the gentleman would yield, I will add one more comment
which is, I hope that this will bring the world closer together. The
recognition
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that the killings, the evil worked by this man affected many
thousands--really, hundreds of thousands around the world. I'm sure
many of these people are grateful to families of those who have been
killed in other countries, and so forth, are grateful for the actions
of these brave Americans. But I hope that what this does is bring the
countries of the world and the peoples of the world more closely
together in fighting such evil.
Mr. GARAMENDI. If I might take it from there, you reminded me that in
the newspapers here in Washington and I think across this Nation, there
was what we call an op-ed, an article that appeared on the editorial
pages written by the President of Pakistan who congratulated President
Obama and the United States for ridding Pakistan of a terrible problem.
{time} 1900
I thought that that was a remarkable article that he wrote. He noted
that his own wife was the target of al Qaeda, not once, not twice, but
three times. The final effort resulted in her assassination.
So the point that you made about bringing all of us closer together
to deal with terrorism, wherever it may be, and whatever rationale it
may perceive itself to have, is a threat to every peaceful person and
every country that desires peace. Point well made and well taken, Mr.
Holt. Thank you so very much for joining us this evening.
You're welcome to stick around and join us after we hear from my
colleague from the State of California, Lois Capps, who represents the
Santa Barbara region of the Golden State.
Mrs. CAPPS. Thank you, Mr. Garamendi, for yielding me time and for
organizing us to have this conversation and this opportunity to pay
tribute this evening.
I rise, like my colleagues have risen, to commend the many people
involved in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. From all accounts, and
from what we heard from Director Panetta yesterday, it was a
meticulously planned and executed operation. I commend the President
and his national security team for their focus.
When the President was running for office, he said that if he were
presented with actionable intelligence on al Qaeda's leaders, that he
would act, with or without the host country's permission or assistance.
He got some heat on that commitment, if you'll remember, my colleague,
but it's clear he was correct.
The result is that the perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks has now been
brought to justice and the organization he has led has been further
weakened.
And I am so grateful to our colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for
calling to mind, again, as all of us felt as we heard the news of Osama
bin Laden's demise. We were immediately, at least I was, as well,
reminded again of that awful day, 9/11 and the image, where we were
when we heard the news, how we were riveted to watching the horror
unfold, explode in D.C., at the Pentagon, and New York City and in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
And I acknowledge that this was closure for those families who have
suffered and continue to suffer, and a good thing that they have seen
this person, this evil man brought to justice. But it doesn't lessen
their sorrow and their loss, and we're mindful of that. And it comes
back again to remind us that we have not, by any stretch, ended the
threat of terrorism, and we must remain vigilant.
Mr. Holt talks about all of the New Jerseyans who lost their lives
that day. And it was concentrated in our metropolitan areas surrounding
New York City. But these were trans-country flights, and some of the
passengers were bound for the west coast, and some of them were my
constituents as well as, I don't know about Mr. Garamendi, but others
in California I know, lost their lives and those families are still
grieving. So my heart goes out to them this evening.
But I want to acknowledge also the comments and the contribution from
our colleague from Detroit, Hansen Clarke, who acknowledges for us all,
which I am very mindful of, that our need to remain vigilant includes
our homeland security. And that goes immediately to the role that our
first responders play, and the responsibility that we have in this body
to make sure that our front line defense in our cities, in our rural
areas, in our vulnerable places that we're all mindful of now with the
heightened security, because we know that this event that happened just
so recently is going to have some kind of effect, and we need to be
even more on guard.
But every day we want and need our first responders to be there in
our homes guarding our streets and guarding our communities and making
sure that we're safe. And we have a responsibility to see that they
have the resources to do that.
On the other hand, disrupting the operations of this murderous group
is such an important step to safeguarding our country.
But, Mr. Speaker, my main reason for wanting to contribute and add to
this discussion this evening is what I feel is our important duty to
pay tribute to these Navy SEALs who pulled off this operation and to
thank them. We don't know their names. We don't want to reveal their
identities for the safety of their families. But these brave
individuals serve, not for fame, not for fortune. They do it in some of
the most dangerous situations imaginable. They do this service for us
to protect our freedoms. They do it as they did this past weekend and
on so many countless other occasions to keep our country safe. While we
sleep, they are on watch. And for that, we owe them such a huge debt of
gratitude.
Finally, I believe that all Americans are rightly impressed and
grateful by the tireless work done every day by members of our
intelligence and our military communities. Indeed, it was that
relentless hard work that tracked down bin Laden and countless others
of his ilk. The dedication, the sacrifice of these men and women and
that of their families have been so critical to keeping our country
safe. It is a duty that's been particularly heavy in the days since 9/
11.
It's easy for us to go about our life and to resume our normal ways
of living, but not for them and not for their families. And now, as
this has occurred, we really want to call to mind all those who serve
our country, at home and abroad in the military, wearing the uniform
for love of country, for their patriotism. And we owe them so much.
Their service in Iraq and in Afghanistan, whether we agree with the
engagement or not, they are serving their country. And this has been
nothing short of amazing.
I think of my own naval base, Ventura County, where the Seabees ship
from, and the work that they have done and continue to do
reconstructing the war-torn areas and assisting the folks in Iraq and
Afghanistan and rebuilding their lives.
I think of the Air Force base at Vandenburg, which I'm also
privileged to represent, where so much of this intelligence comes from
as our operations are carried out with such precision and such skill.
The multiple tours of duty, the extended tours, the time away from
family and friends, the danger that goes along with every deployment.
These burdens are, quite frankly, something that most of us don't think
about enough. So much of what these brave men and women do goes
unnoticed and uncommented upon.
So, tonight, as we pay tribute to the courageous Navy SEALs who
stormed that compound in Pakistan, I want us all to recognize the daily
sacrifices of all of their brothers and sisters in arms, in the
intelligence communities and serving in uniform. Let us thank them for
the service that they have given and do give to us. Thank them for
carrying out their duty to serve their fellow citizens every single
day, and thank them also for calling to mind for us that they do this,
not as Democrats or Republicans. They do this in service to their
country.
And I believe that this action, such as we came together in 9/11,
calls for us to join together in this Congress and in this country in a
call to unity to rededicate ourselves to serving our country.
We have many pressing challenges today. Our involvement in
Afghanistan is one of them, and it's a major one, and in Iraq as well.
But we have our own homeland with our economic struggles that calls for
us to work together as well.
So your desire to bring us together, Mr. Garamendi, makes me think
about
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a great many things and, again, to say how grateful I am that we have
taken this important step in our war for freedom, against al Qaeda, but
for freedom and for this life that we can enjoy in this country.
{time} 1910
Mr. GARAMENDI. Representative Capps, thank you for your words. As you
were talking, you were talking about families. I remember a discussion
you and I had just a couple hours ago as we were sitting here in the
Chamber and you told me about the birth of your granddaughter.
Mrs. CAPPS. Grandson. Little Oscar Walter. But you are absolutely
right.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Congratulations on that. Our own tenth grandchild was
born just 8 months ago. And I was thinking about them in the context of
what has happened this last week and about what we here in Congress,
the people's House, representing 350 million, 360 million Americans,
about the task that we have to assure that those children of the next
generation will have a world that is peaceful, safe, in which they can
live out their dreams as we have been fortunate enough to do ourselves.
I notice that an extraordinary woman like yourself, Mrs. Capps, has
joined us representing the great State of Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee. I
think you would like to make some comments on the subject of the
extraordinary courage that our President and our intelligence and our
military have displayed this last few days.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentleman from
California, and would say to him what a contributor he has been to
really improving the lives of all Americans. I have enjoyed coming to
the floor and engaging in important discussions on behalf of our
colleagues. Really, we are speaking to our colleagues. And we hope that
all of those that are represented by the many colleagues here would
realize, when we are on the floor, we are trying to help set policy to
improve the lives of Americans.
We traveled just 2 or 3 days ago to another exciting venture, and
that was of course the set time for Endeavor to launch into space. And
I think it connects very well. I enjoyed meeting your wife and having
discussions about how great America is, and as well knowing that our
dear friend and colleague was able to travel, Congresswoman Giffords,
and that a Texan, her husband, was going to be the commander of
Endeavor. We looked forward to it going.
But I mention that because of course many of the astronauts are
military personnel. And I could imagine when President Kennedy
challenged us to go into space, into outer space, which seems like a
fiction but was real, no later than 1969 we landed on the Moon. This is
a great country, and we have the ability to be resilient and
persistent.
As all of us reflect on where we were on 9/11, and I know that you
could say where you were. We were right in this place. We were meeting
and huddled around issues. I remember it as clear as day. Small
Business. We were not on the floor, but we were huddled in a room right
underneath this Chamber discussing how do we help small businesses. And
all of a sudden we heard such a sound, such a shrill, ``Get out of
here.'' It was something we had never heard before.
But I say that only that you would have thought in that experience, a
21st century experience, that America would have been brought to her
knees. That was the intent. It was to put us in such panic and such
intense depression that we can never rise again. And many of us who
have flown into New York over the years always remember the very
special view of the two towers.
So come now almost 10 years later, 2011, and as each President talked
about making sure that they would find Osama bin Laden, even as
President Clinton experienced the first World Trade towers bombing in
1993 and he responded, and even as President Bush made the comment of
going to get him, we are so grateful that in all of those
disappointments of not finding Osama bin Laden, that America never gave
up.
So today I am delighted to join you to salute and honor all of the
principals that were involved: President Barack Obama, his national
security team, the Joint Special Operations Command, JSOC, the Navy
SEALs, and all of the courageous men and women of the United States
military as we were detailed this very intricate and very, very
difficult and dangerous mission, how proud we were to understand the
willingness of the Navy SEALs to sacrifice or to stand up and say,
``Let me be counted.''
I am hoping that we will have an opportunity to debate a resolution
on the floor of the House. I am hoping that we will be able to do it in
a bipartisan manner. I have introduced H. Res. 240 with 50 Members of
Congress now joining in and asking for what might be a waiver this one
time to allow us on this historic opportunity to debate on the floor of
the House as our friends have in the other body.
But even as we speak tonight, and I want to thank our leader
Congresswoman Pelosi for having the insight knowing that Members wanted
to come and to express themselves. So let me just quickly say these
words as I come to a close.
I like this comment. ``The world is safer without bin Laden,'' says
Obama. President Obama. And then this other comment that I think is so
very important speaking about this Nation and recognizing how we have
never given up, the President has indicated that this is a country that
is continuously resilient. And as we are resilient even in the face of
obstacles and the continued threat from the USS Cole that happened,
from the bombing in Africa, the embassies that were bombed, all of
those incidents, and we never gave up.
And it is important for America to know that there were voices who
opposed decisions that were made. And not in any way to be negative,
but they doubted what was being presented. This was not an easy
decision. This was a courageous decision. This could have been a
calamity. This could have been the worst decision that anyone ever
made. But, fortunately, there was a President who had a team who came
together. And on behalf of the American people they acted bravely,
courageously with sensitivity, astuteness, talent, genius. And I am so
very proud to stand on the floor today to offer to the American public
my outpouring of congratulations to each and every one.
I close with this. I don't know all of the facts, but I understand
that one of those actors, one of those military personnel may have been
the child of an immigrant family, a recent immigrant family. How great
it is to be able to take those young people who love this country and
let them serve this country.
Mr. President, in finality, never give up, never give in, and never
give out. You are serving the American people, and as Commander in
Chief we salute you.
To all of those who worked, the military, the national security team,
the intelligence community, JSOC, Secretary of State, Secretary of
Defense, and others not named, we thank you, because we realize that
you stand in the shoes of those men and women that are forever brave.
To their families I say thank you, and to this leadership I say thank
you.
I would like to congratulate President Obama, his National Security
team, the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), the Navy SEALs, and
all of the courageous men and women of the armed forces and
intelligence agencies that contributed to the successful implementation
of the mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. I would also
like to congratulate President Obama on his successful policies on the
war on terror and in homeland security.
President Obama's leadership, resolve, and perseverance led to the
killing of Osama bin Laden, the man and symbol of evil behind the
September 11 terrorist attacks.
The death of Osama bin Laden has been a crowning moment in our
Nation's war against terrorism and has sent a clear and significant
message to terrorists around the world that the United States will not
cease in our pursuit of justice for those terrorists who seek to do
harm to this Nation and its citizens.
Following the death of Osama bin Laden, the family and friends who
lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks on September 11 are able to
achieve a greater sense of comfort and closure.
After months of meetings with the National Security Council and
intelligence officials, led by President Obama who directed
intelligence officials to zero in on Osama bin Laden's whereabouts,
intelligence officials devised and carried out a clandestine operation
which had frequently been rehearsed in an effort to minimize
casualties, both civilian and military.
As Commander-in-Chief, President Obama gave the final authorization
to commence the
[[Page H3055]]
operation to capture or kill the most wanted terrorist in a manner that
would provide proof that the right man was captured or killed.
The highly trained and brave members of the Navy SEAL Team and
intelligence officials that entered the compound did so under the
highest levels of patriotism and service to the United States of
America, and they were successfully able to identify and kill Osama bin
Laden with no military losses and minimal civilian casualties.
Upon hearing the news of Osama bin Laden's death, there was an
incredible outpouring of unity and defiance of the terrorists who still
seek to destroy our free way of life, and there was an impressive show
of unity amongst lawmakers regardless of party affiliation.
President Bill Clinton led the Nation during the terrorists' attacks
on the USS Cole, United States embassies, and the first attack on the
World Trade Center and President George W. Bush led the Nation during
the September 11 terrorist attacks, and both leaders pledged to defend
freedom and seek justice for the horrendous attacks on the United
States of America, and President Obama had the strength and wherewithal
to see that pledge through to fulfillment.
Osama bin Laden was the symbol and inspiration for terrorism which
resulted in acts of violence around the world. His actions resulted in
the murder of thousands of America civilians and the men and women of
the United States military. I believe that the strategic, successful
operation which led to his death should be commended along with the
important leadership of President Obama, who worked with his national
security team and ultimately authorized this mission. Further, I want
to honor and recognize all of the men and women of the military and the
intelligence agencies that contributed to the successful implementation
of this mission.
This completed mission shows the resilience of the American people
and the American government to find the man that caused such death and
brutality. Now, we hope that our ideals of democracy, justice, and
freedom will prevail so that peace can come to the world.
Bill Summary and Status
h. res. 240
Latest Title: Commending President Barack Obama and the men
and women of the military and intelligence agencies for the
successful completion of the operation that led to the death
of Osama bin Laden.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (introduced 5/3/
2011) Cosponsors: 40
Committees: House Armed Services; House Intelligence
(Permanent Select); House Homeland Security
Latest Major Action: 5/3/2011 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in
addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent
Select), and Homeland Security, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
COSPONSORS, ALPHABETICAL [*= original cosponsor]:
Cosponsor Statistics: 40 current (includes 40 original)
Rep Barrow, John [D-GA-12]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Bass, Karen [D-CA-33]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Berkley Shelley [D-NV-1]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Boren, Dan [D-OK-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Chandler, Ben [D-KY-6]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [D-WA-6]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [D-TX-20]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Lewis, John [D-GA-5]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]-5/3/2011 *
Rep Loebsack, David [D-IA-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-9]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Richardson, Laura [D-CA-37]--5/3/2011*
Rep Ross Mike [D-AR-4]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Schmidt, Jean [R-OH-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-16]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Shuler, Heath [D-NC-1 1]- 5/3/2011 *
Rep Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12]--5/3/2011 *
Rep West, Allen B. [R-FL-22]--5/3/2011 *
Rep Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]--5/3/2011 *
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4)
Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14)
Rep. James Moran (VA-8)
Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9)
Rep. Jim Costa (CA-20)
Rep. Alyson Schwartz (PA-13)
Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2)
Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (GU)
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Ms. Lee. Your comments are so
well taken and so well said.
I was thinking earlier when I was talking about the Situation Room
and what led up to the actual moment that the program was being carried
out, the extraordinary and very difficult decision that the President
had to make. But it was a decision that he had made months and years
earlier when he spoke to the American people as he was asking them for
their vote to become President that he was going to focus like a laser
on the man that caused the problem; that he was going to go wherever it
may take and do whatever is necessary to settle the score and to bring
to justice Osama bin Laden. And when the moment came, when the
information was presented and all of the potential disasters that could
occur, international relationship issues, loss of men, and even
thinking back on the Jimmy Carter incident in Tehran, he stuck by his
determination and completed a mission that was accomplished.
{time} 1920
As you were talking and as I was listening to your very fine
presentation, I noticed that an extraordinary leader had joined us here
on the floor of the House, a leader who, in her own way, set a very
unique circumstance for America--the very first woman Speaker of the
House, who led this Chamber and this Nation to accomplish tasks that
had not been accomplished in the previous 40 years but which were
highly desired by the United States citizens: a health care plan that
would provide service to nearly every American, Wall Street reform, and
women's rights in the workplace. It was a privilege for me to join
during the time she was the Speaker. Now she is the leader of our
caucus, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his very kind
words. I thank you for yielding your Special Order that you have
practically every night that Congress is in session to talk about jobs
for the American people and to, instead, allow us to use this time to
come to the floor to say, ``Hail to the chief. Congratulations and
thank you, President Obama. Many of us in Congress come together in
appreciation of your leadership, your determination, and your
commitment of resources in the fight against Osama bin Laden.''
I am pleased to join so many of my colleagues who have come to the
floor to express their appreciation for this historic achievement. We
all know that the death of Osama bin Laden is not the end of terrorism,
but it is a significant step. It sends a clear message that the
American people will pursue justice.
I would also like to express my gratitude to our former Congressman
colleague but now Director of the CIA and soon to be the Secretary of
Defense, Leon Panetta. He was tasked by the President and named by the
President in his remarks on Sunday evening as the person who had the
responsibility to get the job done.
Our colleague Congresswoman Jackson Lee has referenced the entire
national security team, some specifically. I want to associate myself
with her comments in that regard: the President's national security
team and the Special Ops team--the men and women in uniform and our
officers in the intelligence community. It is a testament to their
professionalism, their precision, and their talent that no American
lives were lost in this action; but it is indicative of, again, the
contribution that they and their families make to help us uphold our
oath of office to protect and defend. That's what we take an oath of
office to do.
We recognize that this achievement was not just the goal of President
Obama's, who said as candidate Obama and as President, If I have
actionable intelligence on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, I will
act upon them--and act upon them he did.
I called both former President George W. Bush and President Clinton
to
[[Page H3056]]
thank them for their work in this regard. In the '90s, President
Clinton declared Osama bin Laden to be America's ``public enemy number
one.'' He saw that danger long before 9/11. Then, of course, following
9/11, President Bush tried to pursue Osama bin Laden. Their work was
important, but I am here to commend President Obama in particular for
executing the plan to get it done in recognition of the foundation that
was laid by President Clinton and President Bush.
When we think of the symbol of Osama bin Laden and why bringing this
to closure is so important, we are venturing onto sacred ground, 9/11--
a shocking act of terrorism that affected our country very, very
deeply, but none more deeply than the families who were affected by 9/
11. We can never make them whole. We can never make up to them all that
they have lost, but I hope it is some comfort to them that at least
this has happened, however long it took. They used their grief for the
greater good at the time by supporting the 9/11 Commission to
investigate why this happened so endangering the lives of the American
people would never happen again.
I commend the 9/11 families for their sacrifice, yes, for their
patriotism, and for what they did to make a difference as we go into
the future. Who knows? Maybe the work of the 9/11 Commission
contributed to the success of this operation as well.
I know that our time is running out, and I just want to close, Mr.
Speaker, by saying that our colleagues in the United States Senate
unanimously passed a resolution to honor those who so successfully
carried out this mission, and I'd like to associate myself with the
language of their resolution. It says in part:
``The death of Osama bin Laden represents a measure of justice and
relief for the families and friends of the nearly 3,000 men and women
who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the men and women in the
United States and around the world who have been killed by other al
Qaeda-sponsored attacks, the men and women of the United States Armed
Forces and the intelligence community who have sacrificed their lives
pursuing Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.''
As they said, the death of Osama bin Laden represents a measure of
justice. With gratitude for this measure of justice, I again hail to
the chief, President Obama, for his great work. I thank him and
congratulate him and all who made this historic achievement possible.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you very much, Congresswoman and Leader Pelosi.
I'll say, ``Speaker.'' Is that okay? We thank you for your leadership.
We thank you for your remarks.
We have a couple of additional members of our caucus who would like
to speak. I think we've claimed the next hour. I believe that it will
be available. We're out of time at this point, so I will simply wrap up
with these three or four words, which are:
It is with gratitude that I and my colleagues congratulate all who
were involved in bringing to justice Osama bin Laden. A job well done.
Mission accomplished.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my
time.
____________________