[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            REMEMBERING 9/11

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in a few moments we will recess to gather 
on the steps of the Capitol. It is an annual event that commemorates 9/
11. The leaders have spoken to their memories of that day, and I 
associate myself with their remarks and the sadness we all feel as we 
reflect on the lives lost, some 3,000 Americans--to this blatant act of 
terrorism.
  We can all recall that moment. I can recall looking down the Mall 
toward the Washington Monument and watching the black smoke billowing 
across the Mall from the Pentagon because of the deadly crash there 
that took the lives of passengers on that plane and innocent people 
working in defense of America. That was a moment that will never be 
forgotten.
  Over the weekend there was an indication of a new memorial in New 
York City that will commemorate 9/11 as well, and soon it will be open 
as a lasting tribute to not only those who fell and the families we 
grieve with, but also to the paramedics and first responders who did 
such a remarkable and courageous job that day.


                                 Syria

  It is in keeping with that theme that we reflect today on what the 
majority leader told us. We had a visit yesterday from the President of 
the United States who spoke directly to the Senate Democratic caucus 
and Republican caucus luncheons answering questions from Senators. The 
President came to speak to us about the situation in Syria, about the 
use of chemical weapons, the deadly impact it has had on innocent 
people, and the obvious breach of norms of civilized conduct which the 
world has agreed to for almost 100 years.
  The President made it clear that we have a chance now, an opportunity 
for a diplomatic solution because of the suggestion of the Russians 
that the Syrians come forward, surrender their chemical weapons, submit 
to inspections, and have real enforcement. Nations around the world are 
working with the United States to craft a resolution for the United 
Nations to consider. I am hopeful and I pray they will be successful. 
If that occurs, the President will have achieved his goal without the 
use of military force, which is something he made clear to us yesterday 
that he hopes to pursue--achieving his goal without the use of military 
force. Over and over again yesterday he told us: I am not a President 
who looks forward to the use of military force. I don't want to do it 
unless I have to. I believe that, because I know the man. I have known 
him for many years and I know what is in his heart.
  However, we have to acknowledge the obvious. Had the President not 
raised the prospect of military force, this conversation on an 
international level would never have occurred. It was the President's 
leadership, even without majority support among the American people, 
that precipitated this action by President Putin, and I hope it will 
lead to a diplomatic solution. It is where it should be--in the United 
Nations. It was only the threat of veto by Russia and China and the 
Security Council which kept President Obama from turning to the United 
Nations first. But we have a chance, and I pray it is successful.
  We will now move forward with other items on the Senate agenda very 
quickly, as we should, and still the possibility that if this 
diplomatic effort fails, we will have to return to this critically 
important debate about the future of Syria.
  It is important to recall, though, even after the chemical weapons 
are gone--and I pray that happens with diplomatic efforts soon--there 
will still be a civil war in that country that has claimed 100,000 
lives over the last several years. The sooner that comes to an end, the 
better. The humanitarian crisis on the ground in Syria is terrible, but 
the impact on surrounding nations is awful as well.
  Last year I visited a refugee camp in Turkey where Syrians, fearing 
for their lives, moved by the thousands into Turkey. I reflected on the 
generosity and compassion of the people of Turkey, accepting 10,000 
people in one of these refugee camps, providing for them shelter and 
food and medical care and education for their children. It was an 
amazing humanitarian gesture on their part.
  Then we go to the nation of Jordan. Jordan is overrun with refugees 
from the Middle East, and it has created serious economic challenges 
for that country and threats to political stability. The sooner this 
war ends in Syria, the sooner normalcy comes to the Middle East, the 
better for Jordan and the better for the entire region. So we pray that 
occurs soon.
  This has been a rough few weeks as we have considered chemical 
weapons in Syria. As Senator Reid said yesterday, the objects and 
visions we saw on this film and video--the victims of these chemical 
weapons--remind us of how horrible this is. When those who turn to 
weapons of mass destruction are not held accountable, there are more 
innocent victims.
  I hope we can solve this issue on a diplomatic basis. We will stand 
down now in terms of any congressional effort until that effort in the 
United Nations has a chance to reach fruition, and I pray it will.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Georgia.

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