Richard Gephardt: “first, I thank you and your colleagues for working so hard with all of us to present a completely united front to our…”

“first, I thank you and your colleagues for working so hard with all of us to present a completely united front to our foes and to the world in this time of grave emergency in our country. I rise to address my colleagues, though today we all know we are more than that. Today, we are all American brothers and sisters, because the family of America has been attacked, and we have gathered together to begin the process of healing and then defending our American family, our beloved Nation. What was the purpose of Tuesday's attack? Terrorism's simple goal is that it is embedded in the word ``terrorism'' itself. It is to create terror. That was the real goal of Tuesday's attack. Well, we can report to the world that we are fighting and winning the battle against terror in America today. In America today, there is a strong, clear, cold conviction. We will punish those who committed these acts, and we will make our Nation safe again. America is as united as it has been in its history. Death and tragedy was one result of Tuesday's attack. What the terrorists did not know is that they would create so much American unity. The act of terror and inhumanity has produced American heroism that few people have witnessed in their lifetimes.”