[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REFLECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 11

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, on this tenth anniversary of the attacks on 
our country on September 11, 2001, I simply want to pay tribute to the 
American people, and to our country, and what it stands for: our 
enduring commitment to the freedoms we cherish, to liberty and 
democracy, and to our system of government and our way of life.
  The attacks on 9/11 against the World Trade Center in New York, the 
Pentagon here in Washington, and over the skies of Pennsylvania, took 
nearly 3,000 lives. It was the worst attack against the homeland since 
Pearl Harbor, and a higher death toll was inflicted on 9/11 than even 
on that date in 1941 ``that will live in infamy,'' as Franklin 
Roosevelt memorialized for the nation.
  On this 9/11, our sole responsibilities are the simple, sacred acts 
of remembrance and rededication: remembrance of those whose lives were 
taken, and rededication to our country and its future.
  Those who perished will never be forgotten; their names are called 
out every year. And if anything, American patriotism is stronger than 
ever.
  The 9/11 attacks were directed at our freedoms, our way of life, and 
modern civilization itself. It was an assault against American 
leadership in the world, against the ideals that have guided us since 
the founding of the Republic, and against the rule of law and any sense 
of morality.
  But the fact is that those responsible for 9/11 could never--and will 
never--defeat the United States of America. No act of terrorism can 
overcome the spirit of the American people and our pursuit of our 
destiny.
  Our resolve from that terrible day was clear: to pursue and defeat 
those who perpetrated this evil, and to make sure they can never again 
threaten the United States of America and those who live here.
  As we commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we must note that 
the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have now lasted longer than the Civil 
War and World War II combined. We have suffered substantial 
casualties--over 6,300 dead and 35,000 injured in Iraq and Afghanistan 
since 2001. The financial cost of the two wars is over $1.2 trillion--
nearly equal to this year's Federal budget deficit. President Bush did 
not ask the American people for a tax increase to finance these wars, 
so we have not only a legacy of great human casualties, but also one of 
immense financial debt.
  The American involvement in the war in Iraq is drawing to a close, 
and I support President Obama's stated intention to remove all American 
combat forces by year's end.
  But I also believe it past time to end our involvement in 
Afghanistan. We should bring our troops home now. There is nothing more 
for our forces to achieve there. There are other fronts in the war on 
terror, such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Sudan, and we need to continue our 
efforts to combat violent extremists in those countries. But there is 
no overriding purpose served by continuing military involvement in 
Afghanistan. Let us leave Afghanistan to its people, and reserve the 
right to strike at any foe arising from Afghanistan that poses a threat 
to our country and its people.
  As a nation we grieve for those whose lives were so brutally taken on 
9/11. We honor their memory, and we support their families. And I hope 
that all our military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan will be brought 
home to us very soon.

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