With the aftermath of the attacks just beginning, Congress took the first step in healing America by reconvening Wednesday morning.
The topic of the devastating attacks dominated discussion, and each Congressperson was allotted ten minutes to make a statement about Tuesday’s events.
An identical resolution condemning terrorism was proposed by both the House and the Senate.
House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-TX, and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-MO, introduced the resolution. The House proposed the resolution and the Senate concurred.
“Both the House and the Senate are debating an identical resolution; all members are speaking,” Jerilyn Goodman, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI, said. “The vote on this resolution will come quite late.”
The resolution contains nine sections. The first speaks directly but generically about the terrorist acts of Tuesday.
“Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that the 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,” the resolution reads.
The resolution offers condolences to victims and their families, commends the heroic actions of those who aided after the events, thanks foreign leaders who have expressed solidarity with the U.S. after the attacks, and says the United States would stand united as we recover from this tragedy. It also commits to support the war to eradicate terrorism and finally states that when Congress adjourned late that evening, it was out of respect for the victims of the attack, in addition to declaring Sept. 12 a day of national mourning.
“[The resolution] declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the people of the United States, 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,” the resolution said.
Congress and President Bush will stand united in order to quickly expedite a response to the attacks.
“[The resolution] supports the determination of the President, in close consultation with the Congress, to punish the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their sponsors,” the resolution stated.
Congress reconvened Wednesday and attempted to operate in a normal fashion. Members of Congress, as well as the President, found it necessary to return to daily life.
The resolution showed all the members of Congress depicting their hope and determination to accelerate the punishment process.
“Yesterday was one of America’s darkest days,” U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, said. “We have lost lives, friends, landmarks, and our sense of unfettered security. But we have not lost our spirit or our will to fight for and keep our freedom. Every American, as he resumes his or her daily activities, is part of that fight. And I have no doubt that it is a battle against terrorism and tyranny that we will win.”
