Expressing the Sense of the Senate on the Second Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks Against the United States on September 11, 2001

EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I know we have a moment of silence to be observed at 10:06. I will make a few remarks preceding that and, if necessary, I will complete those following the moment of silence.

Mr. President, I wish to say a few words to supplement the eloquent comments made by the Senator from New Jersey, the two Senators from Virginia, and the others who have spoken today on the second anniversary of the tragedy of September 11.

I was not serving here in Washington at that time, as many were, but as were so many Americans, I was at home in Texas preparing for work when I heard the terrible news and then saw the terrible images—the clouds of flame from a plane that ripped a hole in the bright, blue sky and took down the World Trade Center in New York. I will never forget that site as long as I live, nor should any of us forget it.

I know many of my friends and colleagues who were here on that horrific day feel a very deep and personal debt to the heroes of September 11, particularly those on Flight 93. As was noted, the brave passengers on that flight did more than just save the lives of their fellow citizens. Absent their courageous sacrifice, it is likely that Flight 93 would have reached its final destination in this very building, an attack that would have virtually eliminated an entire branch of the United States Government.

Even as we dedicate ourselves to fighting terror at home and abroad, even as we hope and pray that the tragedy of September 11 will not be repeated, we must always remain conscious of our oath as Senators, as representatives of the people, to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States, and make sure the Constitution has representatives here arguing for laws and appropriations and defense that is needed on behalf of the American people.

In the aftermath of September 11, it is clear that our current system of providing for the continuity of our Government in the event of a disaster is inadequate to address the reality of a post-9/11 world. As unthinkable as another attack of that magnitude might seem, we in this branch must be ready for the worst. We must provide for the stable continuance and function of Government, despite all possible calamities.

Even if we in this body fall, we should not leave our Nation's citizens without representation, without order, without defense. We owe it to the American people to ensure that our Government remains strong, even in the face of disaster.

Two years ago, our Nation was attacked by evil men who wanted to leave us weak, vulnerable, and divided. Instead, they saw a world strong, determined, and united. They gravely underestimated America's resolve. America will never surrender to tyrants or terrorists. We will not cut and run in the face of danger.

Instead, we are taking the fight to freedom's enemies, fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and wherever else necessary so that terrorists can no longer export their evil to our streets or those of our allies. Many challenges lie ahead, but now is not the time to stop or show a lack of confidence or resolve.

While we mourn our dead and wounded in the war on terror, we must remain dedicated to finishing the job in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever terrorists or their allies spread their doctrine of hate. Here at home, we must support our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day for the cause of security and freedom.

Two years later, it is clearer now how the world grew so much smaller on September 11. We can no longer allow for the evildoers to plot and scheme in nations on the other side of the globe. We cannot wait to be attacked again. We cannot allow for another tragedy.

We must hunt down the enemies of freedom wherever we find them, or we risk the spilling of blood again on our own soil.
Like the passengers on Flight 93, we must not sit back and allow our destiny to be determined by freedom's enemies. No, we must take the fight to them. The minions of terror have shown their capability for inhumanity, and we cannot underestimate their desire to do so again.

In July, Prime Minister Blair, speaking before a joint meeting of Congress, reminded us of our duty as a powerful nation to take great care regarding what kind of world we leave for our children. I believe that task falls to us at this moment in history to continue spreading the blessings of liberty.

Mr. President, I understand in 1 minute we will observe a moment of silence, and certainly I will pause in my remarks to do so. But I will say before then that I believe now that the task falls to us at this moment in history to continue making sure that others may enjoy the blessings of liberty that we in this country even on occasion take for granted.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the hour of 10:06 a.m. having arrived, the Senate will observe a moment of silence.

(Moment of silence.)

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Texas.

Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in our own streets and cities, we must labor on undeterred, always confident in pursuit of our ultimate goal. We seek not domination, not occupation; we seek a just, free, and peaceful world for ourselves, for our allies, and for future generations, no matter where they may be found on this planet.

The passengers on Flight 93 were everyday Americans, men and women with jobs, with families and dreams. Like all of us, they made promises to their loved ones before they boarded that plane; perhaps promises of vacations and baseball games, of presents and anniversaries, birthdays—small promises and big ones.

We know that some promises don't come cheap. Some cost us nothing. Others require that we risk all, even our very lives.

The crash site of Flight 93 in the quiet hills of Pennsylvania is filled with memories of the promises those heroes made and will, sadly, never keep. But we have made a promise that we are dutybound to keep—we, the living—a promise to the Nation we love and to all our countrymen and to the loved ones these heroes left behind: a promise that says the story of freedom will not end here in the violent acts of evil men. It will persist, it will endure, and it will not be destroyed.

Those of us left behind must fulfill that promise. We must prepare for all contingencies as we continue to hunt the agents of terror and dedicate ourselves, once again, to ensuring that the promise of freedom shall not perish from this Earth.

I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum