[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   EXPRESSING SENSE OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING 
            TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2001

  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the history 
of our great nation was altered forever. Four jumbo-jet airliners 
carrying hundreds of Americans were used as missiles to end the lives 
of thousands of friends, neighbors, and loved ones. The terrorists 
controlling these aircraft completely destroyed New York's World Trade 
Center and devastated the Pentagon. These images are indelibly scarred 
in our national psyche, the swift and deadly work of cowards.
  Now is the time to rescue those alive and trapped, aid those whose 
lives have been torn apart, and help those who have lost friends and 
loved ones. All of us can help by donating blood and money to the Red 
Cross and to keep those involved in your thoughts and prayers. Mayor 
Rudy Giuliani, speaking for the citizens of New York City, is deeply 
grateful for the outpouring of support, donations, and volunteers. 
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff General Harry H. Shelton have pledged that the Pentagon 
remains functional and American military might is prepared and ready to 
respond when so ordered.
  Civilized nations and people of the world have been unwilling 
participants in a war of terrorism. Whether fueled by religious 
extremism, cultural bias, or political philosophy--thugs, cowards, and 
opportunists have waged a war against innocent civilians. These enemies 
of good have struck out against symbols of America's political, 
military, and financial might. The full array of America's will and 
power will now be brought into this unconventional, yet nonetheless 
real, war. In the process, the U.S. will no longer make a distinction 
between those who commit these acts and those who provide them safe 
harbor, whether they are nations or individuals. The goal of this 
barbaric act was to destroy American morale and unity. Their mission 
has failed. Americans now are filled with a sense of violation and an 
unwavering resolve.
  The President, his Cabinet, and Congress are now focused on aiding 
those in need, understanding how these events occurred, taking action 
to prevent similar acts, and restoring confidence in our safety. I ask 
every American to fully and completely support of our nation's 
leadership in these efforts and future action necessary to exact swift, 
lethal, and measured response to these acts of war.




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