*EPF406 09/13/01
Text: Gephardt Vows to Bring Terrorists to Justice
(Pledges to honor victims by defending land, freedom) (660)

Describing himself as united in mourning with all Americans, House Democratic Minority Leader Richard Gephardt says that the terrorist attacks of September 11 were an act of war, and pledged to see that the perpetrators are punished.

Gephardt, a Missouri Democrat, said September 12 that the attacks were an unspeakable horror in the lives of the victims and their families. He pledged the non-partisan efforts of Congress to ensure the American people the safety they demand and deserve, and the complete and final defeat of terrorism.

Following is the text of Gephardt's remarks:

(begin text)

Washington, D.C.
September 12, 2001

Gephardt Floor Statement on the Terrorist Attack against the United States

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, America, our blessed nation, suffers today. Terribly.

Terrorists sought to use fear as a weapon against every person in this nation. They do not know America and they do not know Americans.

They think freedom is our vulnerability. It is our strength.

We will need that strength in the days ahead. Throughout our proud history we have met every challenge. And we will meet this challenge.

We are united in mourning for all of our fellow citizens who were injured and died. I've been so moved in watching the television and seeing the heroism, the courage, the patriotism, the bravery, the goodness of our people, trying to help one another, save one another, bind up our wounds and find those who have been lost. Our hearts go out to every person, every family, who has been touched by this awful tragedy, and to all of the families who at this very moment are enduring an unspeakable, unimaginable horror in their lives.

In times of national tragedy, Americans have always come together, strengthened our resolve, and faced adversity squarely while giving aid and comfort to every victim, every family member, every relative, every person affected by the tragedy. On this occasion, we are once again showing the world what it means to be American.

We make a solemn pledge that we will honor all of the victims by committing ourselves to defend our land, our families, and our freedom. Today, we go back to work in Washington, New York, all around the country, and we are determined to show the world that America will not be defeated by anyone.

Finally, we will do everything within our power to bring these heinous terrorists to justice, to address this horrible act of despicable cowardice, and to ensure that something like this never, ever happens to our people again.

We also should recognize that our public spaces -- the heart and soul of American freedom, American ingenuity and American entrepreneurship -- were violated yesterday in the most heinous way. We must, in one voice, work to reassure the American people that they are safe on our streets, in the air, and in all of the buildings no matter where they live or what they do. This Congress, in a non-partisan way, will work as hard as humanly possible to make sure that our people have the safety they demand and deserve, and that terror is defeated, completely and finally.

Make no mistake, this was an act of war against the United States and all of our people, and we will not be divided. All of us -- the President, the Congress, and the American people are today, and will be tomorrow and in all the tomorrows, totally and completely united in our determination to begin the process of healing, and to take swift action to see that the people who committed this horrible crime are properly punished."

May God shed his grace on this great and wonderful country and all of our people.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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