Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, September 11, the House of Representatives considered and passed a resolution regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001.  Below are Mr. Berman's remarks on the resolution. 

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

"Mr. Speaker, this resolution pays homage to the lives lost on the 11th of September in 2001, and recognizes the anniversary as a time of solemn commemoration.  It extends deepest condolences to the friends, families, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks; it expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of other countries who assisted, supported, and stood by the United States in the aftermath of the attacks; and it honors the nation’s first responders, armed forces and others whose valiant efforts did credit to their country, and who continue to help keep us safe.

"Each of us remembers where we were on 9-11 when we heard the news. 

"We remember the days of unity that followed when we acted together to protect this country from those determined to harm us and to undermine our way of life.

"Last year, we took a major step in furtherance of that goal by enacting -- with bipartisan support -- legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9 /11 Commission, in both its domestic and foreign policy dimensions. By so doing, we addressed major security vulnerabilities and improved our homeland security across the board.   I call on the President to continue his work to fully implement that Act.

"Al Qaeda remains a serious threat to the United States. In particular, the Al Qaeda leadership that was responsible for ordering the attacks on September 11th has been reconstituted in the tribal areas of Pakistan.  From that safe haven, they continue to pose a danger to the world and increasingly threaten our troops in Afghanistan.

"And this is more than just a military campaign.  In the battle against extremists, ideas matter as much as ammunition, and this nation must employ its soft power -- its moral, economic, financial, diplomatic, and cultural resources -- to the fullest.

"The global realities of the 21st century require us to use the full range of non-military tools as a fundamental pillar of our national security.  We in Congress must support full funding for our international affairs programs.  They bolster our national security by allowing us to work with foreign partners to track down terrorists overseas, to secure dangerous weapons wherever they are found, and to help stabilize fragile states.

"Mr. Speaker, this country is in the midst of a competitive election campaign. The stakes could not be higher.  But today we set that aside to remember that what unites us is greater than what divides us.  We all love our country and seek to keep it safe in these perilous times.

"Mr. Speaker, none of us will forget what happened seven years ago. We will always remember the victims of 9 /11 and the loved ones who survived them.  We will always honor the first responders who lost their lives that day -- and those in uniform who risk their lives today and every day to defend America."

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