Date: 2011-05-04
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the distinguished gentleman from California. and would say to him what a contributor he has been to really improving the lives of all Americans. I have enjoyed coming to the floor and engaging in important discussions on behalf of our colleagues. Really. we are speaking to our colleagues. And we hope that all of those that are represented by the many colleagues here would realize. when we are on the floor. we are trying to help set policy to improve the lives of Americans. We traveled just 2 or 3 days ago to another exciting venture. and that was of course the set time for Endeavor to launch into space. And I think it connects very well. I enjoyed meeting your wife and having discussions about how great America is. and as well knowing that our dear friend and colleague was able to travel. Congresswoman GIFFORDS. and that a Texan. her husband. was going to be the commander of Endeavor. We looked forward to it going. But I mention that because of course many of the astronauts are military personnel. And I could imagine when President Kennedy challenged us to go into space. into outer space. which seems like a fiction but was real. no later than 1969 we landed on the Moon. This is a great country. and we have the ability to be resilient and persistent. As all of us reflect on where we were on 9/11. and I know that you could say where you were. We were right in this place. We were meeting and huddled around issues. I remember it as clear as day. Small Business. We were not on the floor. but we were huddled in a room right underneath this Chamber discussing how do we help small businesses. And all of a sudden we heard such a sound. such a shrill. "Get out of here." It was something we had never heard before. But I say that only that you would have thought in that experience. a 21st century experience. that America would have been brought to her knees. That was the intent. It was to put us in such panic and such intense depression that we can never rise again. And many of us who have flown into New York over the years always remember the very special view of the two towers. So come now almost 10 years later. 2011. and as each President talked about making sure that they would find Osama bin Laden. even as President Clinton experienced the first World Trade towers bombing in 1993 and he responded. and even as President Bush made the comment of going to get him. we are so grateful that in all of those disappointments of not finding Osama bin Laden. that America never gave up. So today I am delighted to join you to salute and honor all of the principals that were involved: President Barack Obama. his national security team. the Joint Special Operations Command. JSOC. the Navy SEALs. and all of the courageous men and women of the United States military as we were detailed this very intricate and very. very difficult and dangerous mission. how proud we were to understand the willingness of the Navy SEALs to sacrifice or to stand up and say. "Let me be counted." I am hoping that we will have an opportunity to debate a resolution on the floor of the House. I am hoping that we will be able to do it in a bipartisan manner. I have introduced H. Res. 240 with 50 Members of Congress now joining in and asking for what might be a waiver this one time to allow us on this historic opportunity to debate on the floor of the House as our friends have in the other body. But even as we speak tonight. and I want to thank our leader Congresswoman PELOSI for having the insight knowing that Members wanted to come and to express themselves. So let me just quickly say these words as I come to a close. I like this comment. "The world is safer without bin Laden." says Obama. President Obama. And then this other comment that I think is so very important speaking about this Nation and recognizing how we have never given up. the President has indicated that this is a country that is continuously resilient. And as we are resilient even in the face of obstacles and the continued threat from the USS Cole that happened. from the bombing in Africa. the embassies that were bombed. all of those incidents. and we never gave up. And it is important for America to know that there were voices who opposed decisions that were made. And not in any way to be negative. but they doubted what was being presented. This was not an easy decision. This was a courageous decision. This could have been a calamity. This could have been the worst decision that anyone ever made. But. fortunately. there was a President who had a team who came together. And on behalf of the American people they acted bravely. courageously with sensitivity. astuteness. talent. genius. And I am so very proud to stand on the floor today to offer to the American public my outpouring of congratulations to each and every one. I close with this. I dont know all of the facts. but I understand that one of those actors. one of those military personnel may have been the child of an immigrant family. a recent immigrant family. How great it is to be able to take those young people who love this country and let them serve this country. Mr. President. in finality. never give up. never give in. and never give out. You are serving the American people. and as Commander in Chief we salute you. To all of those who worked. the military. the national security team. the intelligence community. JSOC. Secretary of State. Secretary of Defense. and others not named. we thank you. because we realize that you stand in the shoes of those men and women that are forever brave. To their families I say thank you. and to this leadership I say thank you. I would like to congratulate President Obama. his National Security team. the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). the Navy SEALs. and all of the courageous men and women of the armed forces and intelligence agencies that contributed to the successful implementation of the mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. I would also like to congratulate President Obama on his successful policies on the war on terror and in homeland security. President Obamas leadership. resolve. and perseverance led to the killing of Osama bin Laden. the man and symbol of evil behind the September 11 terrorist attacks. The death of Osama bin Laden has been a crowning moment in our Nations war against terrorism and has sent a clear and significant message to terrorists around the world that the United States will not cease in our pursuit of justice for those terrorists who seek to do harm to this Nation and its citizens. Following the death of Osama bin Laden. the family and friends who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks on September 11 are able to achieve a greater sense of comfort and closure. After months of meetings with the National Security Council and intelligence officials. led by President Obama who directed intelligence officials to zero in on Osama bin Ladens whereabouts. intelligence officials devised and carried out a clandestine operation which had frequently been rehearsed in an effort to minimize casualties. both civilian and military. As CommanderinChief. President Obama gave the final authorization to commence the operation to capture or kill the most wanted terrorist in a manner that would provide proof that the right man was captured or killed. The highly trained and brave members of the Navy SEAL Team and intelligence officials that entered the compound did so under the highest levels of patriotism and service to the United States of America. and they were successfully able to identify and kill Osama bin Laden with no military losses and minimal civilian casualties. Upon hearing the news of Osama bin Ladens death. there was an incredible outpouring of unity and defiance of the terrorists who still seek to destroy our free way of life. and there was an impressive show of unity amongst lawmakers regardless of party affiliation. President Bill Clinton led the Nation during the terrorists attacks on the USS Cole. United States embassies. and the first attack on the World Trade Center and President George W. Bush led the Nation during the September 11 terrorist attacks. and both leaders pledged to defend freedom and seek justice for the horrendous attacks on the United States of America. and President Obama had the strength and wherewithal to see that pledge through to fulfillment. Osama bin Laden was the symbol and inspiration for terrorism which resulted in acts of violence around the world. His actions resulted in the murder of thousands of America civilians and the men and women of the United States military. I believe that the strategic. successful operation which led to his death should be commended along with the important leadership of President Obama. who worked with his national security team and ultimately authorized this mission. Further. I want to honor and recognize all of the men and women of the military and the intelligence agencies that contributed to the successful implementation of this mission. This completed mission shows the resilience of the American people and the American government to find the man that caused such death and brutality. Now. we hope that our ideals of democracy. justice. and freedom will prevail so that peace can come to the world.