H. Res. 842 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 9, 2016. 

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, DC, 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 the crewmembers of United Flight 175, American 

Flight 11, American Flight 77, and United Flight 93 

acted as first responders, reporting the first intelligence 

of a war the United States did not know it was fighting 

and sacrificing their own lives to protect the United 

States and the lives of countless others; 

Whereas 15 years later the country continues to, and shall 

forever, mourn their tragic loss and honor their memory; 
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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 15 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 
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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; 

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 15 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 

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; 
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(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; 
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(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. 

Attest: 

Clerk.