Candice S. Miller: “Mr. Chairman, the legislation that we are going to be considering today deals with a very, very serious issue, the…”

“Mr. Chairman, the legislation that we are going to be considering today deals with a very, very serious issue, the possibility actually of a tragic attack that would result in the death of a significant number of our colleagues in the House. Though I think it is safe to say that none of us are eager to consider this issue, the events of September 11, 2001, forced this House to consider the ramifications of a successful terrorist attack against this body. On that fateful day, the enemies of freedom clearly targeted the pillars of our Nation. The terrorists attacked the World Trade Center which represented our economic freedom. They attacked the Pentagon which represents our military strength. And, by all accounts, Flight 93 was targeted either at the White House or at this building, both symbols of our form of democratic government and of our freedoms. In fact, only the heroic actions, the unbelievable bravery of those brave passengers on Flight 93 prevented that particular plane, that particular flight, from reaching its intended target. And so, Mr. Chairman, we begin to think about the unthinkable, to do our duty and to plan for every eventuality.”