[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6667-6673]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1830
            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 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.

                              {time}  1840

  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.

[[Page 6668]]

  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 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.

                              {time}  1850

  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.

[[Page 6669]]

  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 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

[[Page 6670]]

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 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

[[Page 6671]]

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 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

[[Page 6672]]

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 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

[[Page 6673]]

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.

                          ____________________