H. Res. 731 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
October 1, 2009. 
Whereas it has been 8 years since the horrific terrorist at-
tacks against the United States and its people on Sep-
tember 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 peo-
ple 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 tar-
geting 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 vigi-
lant, 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 pos-
sible 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 orga-
nizations 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, re-
sulting in significant numbers of casualties and dis-
rupting hundreds of thousands of lives, causing serious 
damage to our Nation’s critical infrastructure, and in-
flicting 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 enti-
ties, enhancing their capabilities with major new divisions 
emphasizing terrorism-related information analysis, infra-
structure protection, and science and technology, and fo-
cusing their employees on the critical mission of defend-
ing 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 infrastruc-
ture, 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 offi-
cials, the private sector, and ordinary citizens across the 
country have been working in cooperation with the De-
partment of Homeland Security and other Federal Gov-
ernment agencies to enhance our ability to prevent, deter, 
protect against, and prepare to respond to acts of ter-
rorism; 
Whereas all people of the United States can assist in pro-
moting our Nation’s overall terrorism and emergency pre-
paredness by remaining vigilant and alert, reporting sus-
picious activity to proper authorities, and preparing 
themselves and their families for potential terrorist at-
tacks; and 
Whereas all people of the United States should take the op-
portunity during National Preparedness Month in Sep-
tember 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 Depart-
ment 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 sac-
rifices and commitment of our law enforcement and 
emergency response personnel in preventing and pre-
paring to respond to acts of terrorism; 
(4) supports the goals and ideals of National Pre-
paredness Month as they relate to the threat of ter-
rorism; and 
(5) urges the Federal Government, States, local-
ities, 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 pre-
paredness to respond to acts of terrorism. 
Attest: 
Clerk.