Political Quotes

“this bill comes to us against the background of domestic and foreign terrorism that has caused countless murders of innocent men, women, children, and the elderly. So bloody, and so cowardly, a series of crimes that to ignore them and to ignore the frightening potential for future atrocities amounts, in my humble opinion, to a dereliction of duty. The World Trade Center bombing in New York prompted this legislation. That cost 6 lives, and it was a miracle that it did not cost 600. Had the bomb been placed differently, it might have knocked the entire building down. Mr. Chairman, this bill is spurred by the Pan-American 103 tragedy, which cost 270 lives. It was spurred by Leon Klinghoffer's murder on the Achille Lauro; by the American hostages in Lebanon; by the use of chemical warfare in mass transportation in Japan; by the Oklahoma City bombing that cost 168 lives; by the bombings in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem, and by the IRA in London. Mr. Chairman, as the tragedies mount, as the efforts at international intimidation mount, what is our response? We are told by some that we do not need any new laws. After all, we caught McVeigh, did we not? Yes, we did, we caught him speeding. Talk about lucking out. There is an old saying, ``God takes care of drunks, children, and the United States of America.'' I hate to rely on that for our future national security.”