H. Res. 731 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

October 1, 2009. 

Whereas it has been 8 years since the horrific terrorist attacks against the United States and its people on September 11, 2001; 

Whereas terrorists around the world continue to plot and 

plan attacks against the United States and its interests 

and foreign allies; 

Whereas, as evidenced by a suicide bomb attack in Jerusalem 

that killed 22 people and wounded 140 on March 27, 

2002, a car bomb that exploded outside a Marriott Hotel 

in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 5, 2003, killing 10 people and wounding 150, 10 bombs that exploded on 4 

commuter trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004, killing 

191 people, a major anti-terrorist operation by British 

Police disrupts an alleged bomb plot targeting multiple 

airplanes bound for the United States flying through 

Heathrow Airport, near London on August 10, 2006, and 

the shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai, India, on 

November 26, 2008, the thwarted terrorist attacks targeting the Brooklyn Bridge in March 2003, Herald 

Square in New York City in 2004, the PATH Tunnel 

trains in New York and New Jersey in 2006, the U.S. 

Army Base at Fort Dix, New Jersey in May 2007, JFK 

International Airport in June 2007, and the Air National 
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Guard base in Newburgh, New York and synagogues in 

Riverdale and the Bronx, New York in 2009, citizens 

across the country and in the world should remain vigilant, prepared, and informed; 

Whereas during the month of September, the Nation observes 

National Preparedness Month which is sponsored by the 

Department of Homeland Security, and encourages all 

citizens to prepare themselves and their families for possible emergencies by getting an emergency supply kit that 

will last 72 hours, making a family emergency plan, being 

informed, and getting involved in the community in organizations such as Citizen Corps, which actively involves 

citizens in making our communities and our Nation safer, 

stronger, and better prepared; 

Whereas acts of terrorism can exact a tragic human toll, resulting in significant numbers of casualties and disrupting hundreds of thousands of lives, causing serious 

damage to our Nation’s critical infrastructure, and inflicting billions of dollars of costs on both our public and 

private sectors; 

Whereas in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, 

and the continuing grave threat of terrorism, Congress 

established the Department of Homeland Security in 

March 2003, bringing together 22 disparate Federal entities, enhancing their capabilities with major new divisions 

emphasizing terrorism-related information analysis, infrastructure protection, and science and technology, and focusing their employees on the critical mission of defending our Nation against acts of terrorism; 

Whereas since its creation, the employees of the Department 

of Homeland Security have endeavored to carry out this 

mission with commendable dedication, working with other 
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Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies and 

partners at all levels of Government to help secure our 

Nation’s borders, airports, seaports, critical infrastructure, and communities against terrorist attacks; 

Whereas our Nation’s firefighters, law enforcement officers, 

emergency medical personnel, and other first responders 

selflessly and repeatedly risk their lives to fulfill their 

new mission of helping to prevent, protect against, and 

prepare to respond to acts of terrorism, major disasters, 

and other emergencies; 

Whereas State, local, territorial, and tribal government officials, the private sector, and ordinary citizens across the 

country have been working in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal Government agencies to enhance our ability to prevent, deter, 

protect against, and prepare to respond to acts of terrorism; 

Whereas all people of the United States can assist in promoting our Nation’s overall terrorism and emergency preparedness by remaining vigilant and alert, reporting suspicious activity to proper authorities, and preparing 

themselves and their families for potential terrorist attacks; and 

Whereas all people of the United States should take the opportunity during National Preparedness Month in September 2009 to take steps at home, work, and school to 

enhance their ability to assist in preventing, protecting 

against, and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(1) commends the public servants of the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal agencies 

for their outstanding contributions to our Nation’s 

homeland security; 

(2) salutes the dedication of State, local, territorial, 

and tribal government officials, the private sector, and 

citizens across the country for their efforts to enhance 

the Nation’s ability to prevent, deter, protect against, 

and prepare to respond to potential acts of terrorism; 

(3) expresses the Nation’s appreciation for the sacrifices and commitment of our law enforcement and 

emergency response personnel in preventing and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism; 

(4) supports the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month as they relate to the threat of terrorism; and 

(5) urges the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other 

entities, and the people of the United States to observe 

National Preparedness Month with appropriate events 
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and activities that promote citizen and community preparedness to respond to acts of terrorism. 

Attest: 

Clerk.