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WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today joined Congress in voting for a joint resolution expressing the Sense of Congress condemning yesterday's heinous terrorist attacks against the United States.  House Majority Leader Dick Armey and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt introduced the bipartisan joint resolution, which states that Congress "supports the determination of the President, in close consultation with the Congress, to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their sponsors."

"Our hearts and prayers go out to all who lost loved ones, friends, and colleagues in yesterday's tragic attacks," Ryan said. "As the terrible course of events unfolded yesterday, our nation drew together in shared grief and in strong support for one another – and especially for the families of those killed or injured. We need to do all we can to help them now and in the wrenching weeks ahead."

"We must preserve the solidarity now shared by all Americans and our allies in other countries in the wake of this horrific act of war. We are resolved to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice – swift and sure – and make clear that America, that freedom itself, will never be held hostage to terror. An act of war has been committed against the United States, and we are justified in declaring war in response, once we find out who planned, executed, and enabled yesterday's terrorist strikes.  In this, we stand ready to support our President as the Commander in Chief of our country," Ryan said.

The text of today's congressional joint resolution follows this advisory. 

107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION

Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked and destroyed four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.;

Whereas thousands of innocent Americans were killed and injured as a result of these attacks, including the passengers and crew of the four aircraft, workers in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, rescue workers, and bystanders;

Whereas these attacks destroyed both towers of the World Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously damaged the Pentagon; and

Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States, and, by targeting symbols of American strength and success, clearly were intended to intimidate our Nation and weaken its resolve: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress-

(1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorists who planned and carried out the September 11, 2001, attacks against the United States, as well as their sponsors;
(2) extends its deepest condolences to the victims of these heinous and cowardly attacks, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones;
(3) is certain that the people of the United States will stand united as our Nation begins the process of recovering and rebuilding in the aftermath of these tragic acts;
(4) commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers, volunteers, and State and local officials who responded to these tragic events with courage, determination, and skill;
(5) declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the people of America, but also at the symbols and structures of our economic and military strength, and that the United States is entitled to respond under international law;
(6) thanks those foreign leaders and individuals who have expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath of the attacks, and asks them to continue to stand with the United States in the war against international terrorism;
(7) commits to support increased resources in the war to eradicate terrorism;
(8) supports the determination of the President, in close consultation with the Congress, to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their sponsors; and
(9) declares that September 12, 2001, shall be a national day of unity and mourning, and that
when the Congress adjourns today, it stands adjourned out of respect to the victims of the terrorist attacks.

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