Ronald Dellums: “Mr. Speaker, I have tried to listen diligently to all of the remarks of my distinguished colleagues as they have marched…”

“Mr. Speaker, I have tried to listen diligently to all of the remarks of my distinguished colleagues as they have marched into the well to address themselves to House Concurrent Resolution 200. First with respect to the general issue of terrorism, yes, Mr. Speaker, it is here, it is real, it is alive, it is expanding, it is evolving, and it will be a threat that America and the world will have to deal with on an increasing basis as we move into the 21st century. That is a matter that we must come to grips with and address in significant terms. It will require the highest and the best in us. It will require our best thinking, our best judgment and our best thoughts. There will also be recriminations about who did what and who was responsible. That also is an integral part of the process. But that is not why we are here today. We are here today for a very simple, thoughtful, and compassionate reason; not to politicize, not to demagogue, not to point fingers, but simply to pause as human beings and to attempt to put our emotional arms around people who have experienced great tragedy.”