Tom Lantos: “Mr. Speaker, the horrifying acts of terrorism which occurred yesterday were a cowardly act of attacking America. We in…”

“Mr. Speaker, the horrifying acts of terrorism which occurred yesterday were a cowardly act of attacking America. We in Congress must be dedicated and determined to take immediate action in three ways: First, to help the victims and their families, and to make sure that all Federal resources that are necessary are available; Second, to ensure that our liberties as American citizens are protected and that the American public is safe; Third, to make sure that the perpetrators are discovered and punished. Our focus must be on the injured and their families and those who are offering medical assistance, and others who are helping in so many different ways. It has taken, unfortunately, these horrifying acts of terrorism to draw attention to the resources and needs of our intelligence and defense agencies, and we must address those needs immediately so that our Nation's citizens know that their freedoms are not being compromised. We need prayer also for the injured and the suffering and their families, for our law enforcement, our EMS units, and our medical and health care providers, for our military, which stands ready to go whenever and wherever it is needed, and wisdom for our government in the decisions that we yet have to make.”