| Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in this
time of profound sadness and tragedy he joined with his colleagues last
night to adopt legislation condemning the terrorist attacks against the
United States and its citizens.
“My deepest condolences go out to the families who have lost their
loved ones as a result of these despicable acts,” Congressman Faleomavaega
stated on the House floor. “For those firemen and law enforcement
officers, pilots and stewardesses, who have made the ultimate sacrifice
and those who continue to risk their lives in order to save others, our
Nation stands forever grateful for their services and tremendous sacrifices.”
“I also express my absolute support for President Bush,” Faleomavaega
said. “We must support the President in using all means and resources
to identify, to pursue, and to punish the persons and organizations responsible
for these attacks.” As the Ranking Member of the House International
Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Congressman Faleomavaega
also noted that the world’s democracies must develop an effective strategy
to face international terrorism.
“We must call upon all the leaders of the world for a coordinated
international response to terrorism. This is no longer a national
or regional issue,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “This matter should
and must require the support of all freedom-loving nations of the world.”
In the aftermath of the vicious attacks that took the lives of thousands
of innocent Americans, Congressman Faleomavaega and other members of Congress
are attending daily, classified briefings conducted by the U.S. Department
Justice, the National Security Council and members of the President’s cabinet.
The classified briefings are intended to keep Congressional members informed
as to all matters pertaining to the recent attacks, including planned U.S.
responses.
In an effort to keep the people of American Samoa fully informed,
Congressman Faleomavaega has conducted radio and press interviews and as
of yesterday mailed video recordings of his House floor statements for
broadcast on local television stations. Borrowing from the words
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Faleomavaega also offered his assurances
that “we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make
very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
With confidence in our Armed Forces, with the unbounded determination of
our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.” |
![[United States Congress]](congress.gif)
