[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



STANDING UNITED IN OUR RESOLVE THAT ACTS OF TERRORISM WILL NOT DETER US

  (Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, yesterday America's innocence 
was shattered by unseen enemies. Cowards, terrorists, struck at the 
heart of our society, killing mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, 
indiscriminately in hopes of political gain.
  We stand united in our resolve that their acts of terrorism will not 
deter us. I want to offer my prayers to families who are still waiting 
to hear from loved ones who might have been at the World Trade Center 
or the Pentagon, or those families who have already lost loved ones in 
yesterday's tragic events.
  Words cannot express my gratitude to the countless police officers, 
firefighters, volunteers, blood donors, and health care providers who 
rushed to the crash scenes yesterday, putting their own lives in harm's 
way to come to the aid of their fellow Americans.
  Yesterday's television images will remain with us forever, not only 
because of the sheer terror they conveyed, but also because of the 
uniquely American spirit that was evident: our grit, our resolve, our 
unparalleled ability to rally together in the face of tragedy.
  I am proud of the members of the Fairfax County Urban Rescue Team who 
were among the first to tackle the difficult debris at the Pentagon. In 
addition, I want to thank all those who continue to help their fellow 
Americans by providing comfort and prayer to those injured and their 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, we stand together to ensure that the perpetrators and 
enablers of these cowardly acts are held accountable and pay the 
highest price for their actions.

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