H. Con. Res. 464 Agreed to September 11, 2002

One Hundred Seventh Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the twenty-third day of January, two thousand and two

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.;

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;

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;
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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

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—

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

those taken from their families, loved ones, and fellow citizens

and a day for Americans to recommit to the Nation, to their

freedoms, and to each other;

(2) extends its deepest sympathies to the countless innocent

victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved ones;

(3) honors the heroic actions of first responders, law

enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers,

and others who aided the innocent victims and, in so doing,

bravely risked their own lives and long-term health;

(4) stands in great debt with the American people to the

members of the Armed Forces serving both at home and abroad;

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

patriotism, compassion, prayers, and generosity in donating

time and money to support the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and

loved ones;

(6) 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 September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;

(7) discourages, in the strongest possible terms, any effort

to confuse the war on terrorism with a war on any people

or any faith;

(8) commends the President and the brave servicemen and

women of the United States Armed Forces in the successful

effort to oust the Taliban from power;

(9) remains resolved to pursue all those responsible for

the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and their sponsors

until they are discovered and punished; and

(10) reaffirms that Congress will honor the memory of

those who lost their lives as a result of the September 11,
H. Con. Res. 464—3

2001, terrorist attacks and will defend bravely the citizens

of the United States in the face of all future challenges.

Attest:

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate.