Russ Feingold: “1 month ago, we all were viciously attacked. I am pleased and grateful that both the domestic and international effort…”

“1 month ago, we all were viciously attacked. I am pleased and grateful that both the domestic and international effort to respond to these attacks is fully underway. As we recall, almost as soon as the attacks of September 11 ended, our public discussion turned to two issues: how the United States will respond to these terrorist acts and how we can protect ourselves against future attacks. Almost immediately, discussion of that second issue raised the question of how our efforts to prevent terrorism will affect the civil liberties enjoyed by all Americans as part of our constitutional birthright. I was encouraged by many of the reactions that our leaders and Members of this body had, but especially encouraged by the words of our colleague, Senator George Allen of Virginia who represents one of the States struck by terrorism. On the day after the attacks he said: We must make sure that as we learn the facts, we do not allow these attacks to succeed in tempting us in any way to diminish what makes us a great nation. And what makes us a great nation is that this is a country that understands that people have God-given rights and liberties. And we cannot--in our efforts to bring justice--diminish those liberties. I agree with Senator Allen. I believe that one of the most important duties of this Congress is in responding to the terrible events of September 11, in order to protect our civil liberties, which, of course, derive from our Constitution.”