Max Baucus: “America, sadly, has a new date that will live in infamy for the rest of our lives and generations to come. Today, more…”

“America, sadly, has a new date that will live in infamy for the rest of our lives and generations to come. Today, more than 24 hours after the first terrorist strike that took the lives of countless U.S. civilians, we are only now beginning to realize that we will spend many days, weeks, months and years trying to come to grips with the magnitude of yesterday's attack on our freedom. We are left with searing images of a horror that could not be contained, acts of terrorism that unfolded before our eyes, gripping this Nation and the world in raw and vivid devastation, touching all of us with feelings expressed in public and in private; from panic to helplessness; helplessness to anger; and anger to loss. This morning we stand in this capital as one to condemn these attacks, comfort the victims and their families and commit our full support to bring those responsible to justice. Our heartfelt thoughts and fervent prayers go out to those who have been lost. Our response in the days ahead to the mass murderers who planned and carried out the attack and to any nation or nations that gave them aid must be as decisive as was our steadfast determination to defend our homeland and punish the aggressors in the immediate aftermath of a day that we will remember as one of the worst in American history. The challenge ahead will require strengthening U.S. defenses and intelligence at home in ways consistent with American values.”