Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 116 Part 4.djvu/722

 116 STAT. 3150 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—SEPT. 11, 2002 Sept. 11, 2002 SEPTEMBER 1ITH TERRORIST ATTACKS—FIRST^ [H. Con. Res. 464] ANNIVERSARY Whereas on September 11, 2001, while Americans were attending to their daily routines, 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 the valor of the passengers and crew on the fourth aircraft prevented it from also being used as a weapon against America; 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, making these attacks the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States; Whereas when the gravest moments came, many regular Americans, relying on courage, instinct, and grace, rushed toward the flaming buildings in order to rescue or toward terrorist-controlled cockpits in order to resist; Whereas by targeting symbols of American strength and success, these attacks clearly were intended to assail the principles, values, and freedoms of the United States and the American people, intimidate the Nation, and weaken the national resolve; Whereas while the States of New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania bore the brunt of the terrorist attacks, every State and Territory and all Americans were affected and mourned these tragic losses; Whereas Americans reached out to help strangers who had lost loved ones, colleagues, and their businesses; Whereas local. State, and Federal leaders set aside differences and worked together to provide for those who were attacked and to protect those who remained; Whereas Americans continue to repair damage to buildings and the economy, while relishing the freedoms they enjoy as Americans; Whereas on September 14, 2001, in Public Law 107-40, Congress authorized the use of "all necessary and appropriate force" against those responsible for the terrorist attacks; Whereas the United States Armed Forces subsequently moved swiftly against Al Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, whom the President and Congress had identified as enemies of America; Whereas, in so doing, brave servicemen and women left family and friends in order to defend the Nation; Whereas a year later, many servicemen and women remain abroad, shielding the Nation from further terrorist attacks; Whereas, while the passage of a year has not softened the memory of the American people, resolved their grief, or restored lost loved ones, it has shown that Americans will not bow to terrorists; Whereas the Congress has passed, and the President has signed, numerous laws providing additional resources for the overseas effort against terrorism, as well as additional tools for Federal,

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