[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13278-13279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMEMORATING SEPTEMBER 11

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would ask all present to rise for 
the purpose of a moment of silence.
  The Chair asks that the House now observe a moment of silence in 
memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees 
on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, the Judiciary, 
Oversight and Government Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 
and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence be discharged from 
further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 391) expressing the 
sense of the House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks 
launched against the United States on September 11, 2001, on the 10th 
anniversary of that date, and ask for its immediate consideration in 
the House.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN.  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia, 
Mr. Cantor for offering this resolution regarding the terrorist attacks 
of September 11, 2001 and urge my Colleagues to pass it without delay.
  For the families of the over 3,000 victims of the murderous attacks 
of September 11, 2001, every day is painful. This Sunday marks the 
tenth anniversary of the events that changed our Nation forever, as 
violent international extremists struck in the streets of Lower 
Manhattan, the fields of Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon.
  In addition to making the collective pledge to join together to 
protect our communities, we should never forget that on September 11, 
2001, we saw good rise in the face of evil, and heroes rise in the face 
of danger. Many ran into the face of danger to help others escape it.
  When the day was over, and as we learned that 700 New Jerseyans lost 
their lives, we witnessed neighbors and friends consoling one another 
and watched as Americans from all walks of life stood united, side by 
side waving the Stars and Stripes, and lighting candles to honor those 
missing or lost.
  As America rebounded, we responded to these acts of terrorism with 
the skill and spirit of our military and our intelligence community. 
The war we continue to fight abroad began without provocation and 
without warning. It was not a war of our choosing but it became our 
priority. It was the slaughter of innocents by people with a twisted 
sense of religion who play by no rules.
  So many of our heroes currently fighting terrorism across the globe 
put their lives on hold on September 11, 2001, to join the National 
Guard and Reserve, serve our country, and defend our freedom. They 
serve side by side as we speak with the active duty military, all 
volunteers, all dedicated, all courageous, all Americans. We are 
grateful for their service and sacrifice, and that of their families, 
each and every day.
  May God bless those who continue to defend our freedom, and may God 
continue to bless America.
  I urge adoption of the resolution.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 391

       Whereas on September 11, 2001, while Americans were 
     attending to their daily routines, terrorists hijacked four 
     civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of 
     the World Trade Center in New York City, a third into the 
     Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and a fourth was prevented 
     from also being used as a weapon against America by brave 
     passengers who placed their country above their own lives;
       Whereas thousands of innocent Americans were killed and 
     injured as a result of these attacks, including the 
     passengers and crew of the four aircraft, workers in the 
     World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, rescue workers, and 
     bystanders;
       Whereas 10 years later the country continues to, and shall 
     forever, mourn their tragic loss and honor their memory;
       Whereas these attacks destroyed both towers of the World 
     Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously 
     damaged the Pentagon;
       Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist 
     attacks ever launched against the United States, and, by 
     targeting symbols of American strength and success, were 
     intended to assail the principles, values, and freedoms of 
     the United States and the American people, intimidate our 
     Nation and weaken its resolve;
       Whereas memorials have been constructed to honor the 
     victims of these attacks at the Pentagon, in Shanksville, 
     Pennsylvania, and on the World Trade Center grounds, so that 
     Americans and people from around the world can visit to mourn 
     those lost and to pay tribute to the heroic action and 
     sacrifice of those who have served our communities and our 
     country in the years since the attacks;
       Whereas 10 years after September 11, 2001, the United 
     States continues to fight terrorists and other extremists who 
     threaten America and her friends and allies;
       Whereas successive Congresses have passed and President 
     Bush and President Obama have signed numerous laws to assist 
     victims of terrorism, protect our Nation, combat terrorism at 
     home and abroad, and support the members of the Armed Forces 
     who courageously defend the United States;
       Whereas by the tireless efforts of our intelligence, 
     military, and law enforcement professionals, the United 
     States has been able to significantly degrade the al Qaida 
     network, by taking into custody or killing senior al Qaida 
     leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators, and owes 
     a debt of gratitude to the focused and persistent efforts of 
     all those personnel involved in the removal of Osama bin 
     Laden;
       Whereas the terrorist attacks that have occurred around the 
     world since September 11, 2001, remind us of the hateful 
     inhumanity of terrorism and the ongoing threat it poses to 
     freedom, justice, and the rule of law;
       Whereas United States law enforcement and intelligence 
     agencies and allies of the United States around the world 
     have worked together to detect and disrupt terrorist networks 
     and numerous terror plots since September 11, 2001, and have 
     ensured that no attacks have been carried out on American 
     soil since that day;
       Whereas the Nation is indebted to the brave military, 
     intelligence, law enforcement, and civilian personnel serving 
     in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in advancement of United 
     States national interests;
       Whereas thousands of families have lost loved ones in the 
     defense of freedom and liberty against the tyranny of terror; 
     and
       Whereas the passage of ten years has not diminished the 
     pain caused by the senseless loss of nearly 3,000 persons 
     killed on September 11, 2001: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page 13279]]

       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes September 11 as a day of solemn 
     commemoration;
       (2) extends again its deepest sympathies to the thousands 
     of innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist 
     attacks, and to their families, friends, and loved ones;
       (3) honors the heroism and the sacrifices of United States 
     military and civilian personnel and their families who have 
     sacrificed much, including their lives and health, in defense 
     of their country;
       (4) credits the heroism of first responders, law 
     enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, 
     and others who aided the victims of these attacks and, in so 
     doing, bravely risked their own lives and long-term health;
       (5) expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders 
     and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to 
     stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism 
     in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and 
     asks them to continue to stand with the United States against 
     international terrorism;
       (6) commends the military and intelligence personnel 
     involved in the removal of Osama bin Laden;
       (7) reasserts its commitment to opposing violent extremism 
     arrayed against American interests and to providing the 
     United States military, intelligence, and law enforcement 
     communities with the resources and support to do so 
     effectively and safely;
       (8) vows that it will continue to identify, intercept, and 
     disrupt terrorists and their activities;
       (9) reaffirms that the American people will never forget 
     the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001, and will never bow 
     to terrorist demands; and
       (10) declares that when Congress adjourns today, it stands 
     adjourned out of respect to the victims of the terrorist 
     attacks.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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