107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 464

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas on September 11, 2001, while Americans were attending to their daily routines, terrorists hijacked and destroyed four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into

the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City,

and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.;
2

•HCON 464 EH

Whereas the valor of the passengers and crew on the fourth

aircraft prevented it from also being used as a weapon

against America;

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, making these attacks the deadliest

terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States;

Whereas when the gravest moments came, many regular

Americans, relying on courage, instinct, and grace,

rushed toward the flaming buildings in order to rescue or

toward terrorist-controlled cockpits in order to resist;

Whereas by targeting symbols of American strength and success, these attacks clearly were intended to assail the

principles, values, and freedoms of the United States and

the American people, intimidate the Nation, and weaken

the national resolve;

Whereas while the States of New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania bore the brunt of the terrorist attacks, every

State and Territory and all Americans were affected and

mourned these tragic losses;

Whereas Americans reached out to help strangers who had

lost loved ones, colleagues, and their businesses;

Whereas local, State, and Federal leaders set aside differences and worked together to provide for those who

were attacked and to protect those who remained;

Whereas Americans continue to repair damage to buildings

and the economy, while relishing the freedoms they enjoy

as Americans;
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•HCON 464 EH

Whereas on September 14, 2001, in Public Law 107–40,

Congress authorized the use of ‘‘all necessary and appropriate force’’ against those responsible for the terrorist

attacks;

Whereas the United States Armed Forces subsequently

moved swiftly against Al Qaeda and the Taliban regime

in Afghanistan, whom the President and Congress had

identified as enemies of America;

Whereas, in so doing, brave servicemen and women left family and friends in order to defend the Nation;

Whereas a year later, many servicemen and women remain

abroad, shielding the Nation from further terrorist attacks;

Whereas, while the passage of a year has not softened the

memory of the American people, resolved their grief, or

restored lost loved ones, it has shown that Americans will

not bow to terrorists;

Whereas the Congress has passed, and the President has

signed, numerous laws providing additional resources for

the overseas effort against terrorism, as well as additional tools for Federal, State, and local law enforcement

and judicial systems to protect Americans at home; and

Whereas the Government reexamined the need for domestic

security and the Congress is currently considering legislation to create a Department of Homeland Security with

the specific mission of preventing further attacks: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—
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•HCON 464 EH

1 (1) recognizes September 11 as both a day to

2 remember those taken from their families, loved

3 ones, and fellow citizens and a day for Americans to

4 recommit to the Nation, to their freedoms, and to

5 each other;

6 (2) extends its deepest sympathies to the count7 less innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, ter8 rorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved ones;

9 (3) honors the heroic actions of first respond10 ers, law enforcement personnel, State and local offi11 cials, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent

12 victims and, in so doing, bravely risked their own

13 lives and long-term health;

14 (4) stands in great debt with the American peo15 ple to the members of the Armed Forces serving

16 both at home and abroad;

17 (5) praises the people of the United States for

18 their patriotism, compassion, prayers, and generosity

19 in donating time and money to support the innocent

20 victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,

21 their families, friends, and loved ones;

22 (6) expresses thanks and gratitude to the for23 eign leaders and citizens of all nations who have as24 sisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the
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•HCON 464 EH

1 United States against terrorism in the aftermath of

2 the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;

3 (7) discourages, in the strongest possible terms,

4 any effort to confuse the war on terrorism with a

5 war on any people or any faith;

6 (8) commends the President and the brave serv7 icemen and women of the United States Armed

8 Forces in the successful effort to oust the Taliban

9 from power;

10 (9) remains resolved to pursue all those respon11 sible for the terrorist attacks of September 11,

12 2001, and their sponsors until they are discovered

13 and punished; and

14 (10) reaffirms that Congress will honor the

15 memory of those who lost their lives as a result of

16 the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and will

17 defend bravely the citizens of the United States in

18 the face of all future challenges.

Passed the House of Representatives September 11,

2002.

Attest:

Clerk.

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 464

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks launched against

the United States on September 11, 2001.