Expressing Sense Of The House Of Representatives On Fifth Anniversary Of Terrorist Attacks Launched Against The United States On September 11, 2001

EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 -- (House of Representatives - September 13, 2006)

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 994 states that America is safer today than it was on September 11th, 2001. This is hardly clear considering that the 9/11 Commission has given failing grades to how the government has responded to security needs.

Today, NATO lacks the troop strength in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban along the southern region. Today, we continue to fight a war of choice in Iraq longer than we have fought World War II. Today, 2,673 soldiers have died while our military continues to be stretched. And, today, Iran and North Korea continue to develop their nuclear technology unabated.

Here at home the situation is also troubling. Instead of debating any meaningful legislation for the American people, we spend our time debating things such as Horse Slaughter and Indian Gaming. We have yet to implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendations such as improving emergency communication technology that directly led to the deaths of many of our brave first responders on that sad day. Instead, the Majority party prefers to attempt to score some political points rather than doing the job the American people have sent us here to accomplish.

Today's resolution should have been a bi-partisan effort to honor those who died and the family and friends they left behind. Sadly though, the Majority party has made it yet another day of divisive politics.

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