“I remember the bright, blue morning of September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. And while our country has begun to heal from the wounds of those terrible attacks over the last decade, the scars remain. No matter how many years pass, we’ll never forget the thousands of innocent people who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.” (Full Text)

I remember the bright, blue morning of September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. And while our country has begun to heal from the wounds of those terrible attacks over the last decade, the scars remain. No matter how many years pass, we’ll never forget the thousands of innocent people who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brother and sisters, spouses and friends / who were simply doing their jobs or catching a plane. So it is fitting that we pause each year to pay tribute – and to remember.

The memories of that dark day in our shared history are painful, but they give me hope as well. On September 11^th, and during the difficult months that followed, Americans showed the world how a unified nation can fight back against darkness and fear. In the face of great evil, so many rushed forward to show great courage, dignity and kindness.

So today we also pause to remember the firefighters, who rushed into the World Trade Center, knowing they might never come out. We pause to remember the police officers and rescue workers who hurried to the scene, combed through the debris and shepherded New Yorkers to safety. Some of them gave their lives that day. We pause to remember the bravery of the members of our nation’s Armed Forces, intelligence community and Foreign Service, as well as the sacrifices of their families, who have borne the burdens of war for more than a decade. Too many have given their lives to the effort to crush al Qaeda, bring Osama bin Laden to justice and keep America safe. And we pause to remember the unbreakable spirit of these United States of America.

“One year ago, President Obama gave the order that brought Osama bin Laden to justice. That day, terrorist organizations that threaten our country received an unmistakable message: the United States will act against those that wish to harm us and attack our way of life.

“The brave military and intelligence professionals who carried out this operation achieved the most significant victory to date in our nation’s fight against al-Qaeda and terrorism. Their courage and their commitment to justice helped bring solace to our nation after a painful chapter in our history.

“Each day Americans deal with sadness and torment inflicted by terrorism, and today we remember loved ones and friends who tragically lost their lives to acts of terror directed by Osama bin Laden. We will always remember the courageous Americans who gave their lives to defend our country from his peril.

“While al-Qaeda’s leader is gone, the organization remains a threat and is motivated to bring harm to our nation, and we will never hesitate to use the full extent of our power to stop the threat of terrorism.”

“Those watching around the world may not be able to see on their screens the scene here in the United States Senate.

“We have all come to the floor in a way we rarely do.  We have come here this afternoon to express with one voice our endless respect and admiration for the men and women of our military and intelligence organizations.

“‘Resolution’ is an appropriate name for this legislation.  It honors the resolution to a problem that has lingered for nearly a decade – one whose weight has grown heavier each day on the shoulders of the families Osama bin Laden traumatized and the many more he terrorized.  It honors the resolve with which our bravest stared down danger.

“The world is still absorbing America’s astounding accomplishment – a mission to bring bin Laden to justice, one that began more than nine-and-a-half years ago, and was accomplished just a little more than a day and a half ago.  Nine-and-a-half years after the worst morning in our memory, we woke up yesterday morning to a world without Osama bin Laden, and with a palpable sense of justice.

“Our military and intelligence operatives are the best in the world at what they do.  As they set out to kill or capture our most valuable target, they captivated us with their skill and expertise, their patriotism and their professionalism.

“A flood of thoughts and emotions and analyses has been shared over the past 36 hours.  As I said from this desk yesterday, the end of his life is not the end of this fight.  It is a victory, but not the victory.  A lot has already been said about what bin Laden’s death means.

“So before we vote on this resolution, I want to speak only briefly about the American men and women who carried out this critical, successful mission – a mission that was historically significant and tactically stunning.

“Osama bin Laden was the most wanted and most hunted man in the world.  His was the face of our enemy and the face of evil.  There were few faces more recognizable to the American people and to citizens of the world.

“Those who carried out the Commander-in-Chief’s orders this weekend could not be more different.  The world doesn’t know their names.  We wouldn’t recognize them if we passed them on the street.  And that is exactly how they would want it.

“This is the newest proud page in the long story of the American hero – the unknown soldiers, the unsung saviors who sacrifice for our country’s flag and their countrymen’s freedom.  They don’t ask for recognition and they don’t ask questions.  They just answer their nation when it calls.

“Today the Senate stands in awe of the countless men and women who have toiled in obscurity, in the field and in every corner of the world.  Professionals who gather one small shred of evidence here, unearth one clue there, pursue another lead somewhere else.

“The men and women who, over the course of 10 long years, pieced together this most meaningful of puzzles so that a few dozen of their fellow heroes could execute an operation the world will never forget.

“These heroes confronted fear with brilliance and bravery.  They met the worst of humanity with the best of America.  The terrorists who carried out the 9/11 attacks did so with cowardice.  The Americans who carried out this mission did so with unfailing courage.

“No one has asked how these men and women vote or what their politics are.  And so we have come here to the floor to vote together on this resolution not as two parties – not even as 100 Senators – but as one body, representing one grateful country.”

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TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION:

Honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes.

Whereas, on May 1, 2011, United States personnel killed terrorist leader Osama bin Laden during the course of a targeted strike against his secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan;

Whereas Osama bin Laden was the leader of the al Qaeda terrorist organization, the most significant terrorism threat to the United States and the international community;

Whereas Osama bin Laden was the architect of terrorist attacks which killed nearly 3,000 civilians on September 11, 2001, the most deadly terrorist attack against our Nation, in which al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in

New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and, due to heroic efforts by civilian passengers to disrupt the terrorists, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania;

Whereas Osama bin Laden planned or supported numerous other deadly terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies, including the 1998 bombings of United States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 attack on the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen, and against innocent civilians in countries around the world, including the 2004 attack on commuter trains in Madrid, Spain and the 2005 bombings of the mass transit system in London, England;

Whereas, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States, under President George W. Bush, led an international coalition into Afghanistan to dismantle al Qaeda, deny them a safe haven in Afghanistan and ungoverned areas along the Pakistani border, and bring

Osama bin Laden to justice;

Whereas President Barack Obama in 2009 committed additional forces and resources to efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan as ‘‘the central front in our enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism’’;

Whereas the valiant members of the United States Armed Forces have courageously and vigorously pursued al Qaeda and its affiliates in Afghanistan and around the world;

Whereas the anonymous, unsung heroes of the intelligence community have pursued al Qaeda and affiliates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and around the world with tremendous dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism;

Whereas the close collaboration between the Armed Forces and the intelligence community prompted the Director of National Intelligence, General James Clapper, to state, ‘‘Never have I seen a more remarkable example of focused integration, seamless collaboration, and sheer professional magnificence as was demonstrated by the Intelligence Community in the ultimate demise of Osama bin Laden.’’;

Whereas, while the death of Osama bin Laden represents a significant blow to the al Qaeda organization and its affiliates and to terrorist organizations around the world, terrorism remains a critical threat to United States national security; and

Whereas President Obama said, ‘‘For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our Nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.’’: Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the Senate—

(1) declares that the death of Osama bin Laden represents a measure of justice and relief for the families and friends of the nearly 3,000 men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the men and women in the United States and around the world who have been killed by other al Qaeda-sponsored attacks, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and the intelligence community who have sacrificed their lives pursuing Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda;

(2) commends the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and the United States intelligence community for the tremendous commitment, perseverance, professionalism, and sacrifice they displayed in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice;

(3) commends the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and the United States intelligence community for committing themselves to defeating, disrupting, and dismantling al Qaeda;

(4) commends the President for ordering the successful operations to locate and eliminate Osama bin Laden; and

(5) reaffirms its commitment to disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda and affiliated organizations around the world that threaten United States national security, eliminating a safe haven for terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and bringing terrorists to justice.

“Osama bin Laden is dead, killed in a targeted U.S. operation authorized by President Obama.

“This is the most significant victory in our fight against al Qaeda and terrorism, but that fight is not over. We will continue to support our troops and the American civilians who are fighting every day to protect our homeland.

“Nine-and-a-half years ago, Osama bin Laden masterminded the horrific attacks against the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. As we remember those who were killed on that dark day in September and their families, we also reaffirm our resolve to defeat the terrorist forces that killed them and thousands of others across the globe. Because of courageous Americans in our military and intelligence community, their leader is now gone.”

“Late last night we learned the news we’d been longing to hear since the worst morning in our memory: an American operation brought Osama bin Laden to justice.

“This was an American mission – ordered by President Obama and accomplished by America’s brave and brilliant military and intelligence professionals.

“Last night’s news stunned the world – but this operation’s success should surprise no one.  America’s special forces and intelligence operatives are the best – the best trained, the best equipped, the best led.  Every day of every year, they risk their lives for our sake, for our safety.

“They are the most professional and proficient forces on the planet, and yesterday they brought down the most wanted mass murderer on Earth.

“Their success is the most significant victory yet in our fight against Al Qaeda and terrorism.  It sends a strong and unmistakable message to terrorists who threaten our country, our people and our interests.

“This success is a direct result of President Obama’s leadership, from the national-security priorities he outlined when he took office to the green light he gave our forces this weekend.

“President Obama insisted that we refocus on Afghanistan and Pakistan as the central battlefields in our fight against terrorism.  Those tremendous military, diplomatic, intelligence and economic efforts are the reason we woke up this morning in a world that is no longer home to Osama bin Laden.

“But the end of his life is not the end of this fight.  Yesterday’s operation is indeed a measure of justice.  But it is only one measure of justice.  It absolutely is a definitive victory, but it does not define absolute victory.

“America welcomes the success of our fellow citizens’ extraordinary mission.  Even as we breathe a sigh of relief, though, we are not relieved of our duty to be vigilant, to be persistent, to defeat our enemy and to make our nation stronger.

“The leader of Al Qaeda is gone, but his organization is not.  We know our enemy is widespread and motivated – and the truth is, it may be more motivated today than it was yesterday.

“Our troops continue to fight.  Our intelligence professionals continue to work.  Their families continue to sacrifice.  We continue to support all of them, and each other.

“We also pause today to once again lend a shoulder to those whose grief never ends – not with time, not with bin Laden’s demise, not ever.

“This significant measure of justice is but a small measure of comfort to those who lost loved ones at bin Laden’s direction – in America and around the world, in New York and Virginia and Pennsylvania, aboard the U.S.S. Cole, at American embassies in Africa, on trains in London and Madrid, and in so many other places.

“Bin Laden’s death does not bring back the thousands of innocent people his thugs killed, or make whole families that will forever be incomplete.

“But it is an important milestone that reminds the world America does not suffer the wicked and will not submit to evil.  Our resolve is strengthened when it is challenged, and our unity – though it, too, is often tested – is unbreakable.

“Because of the hard work of courageous Americans in our military, intelligence, diplomatic and law-enforcement communities, a long and painful chapter in our nation’s history closed yesterday.  Today we welcome a spring of new optimism and renewed patriotism.

“The chapter now behind us ended with justice.  We hope the chapter ahead of us will bring security and peace.

“While the nation and the world absorb this crucial development, the work of the Senate continues.

“Today we begin a new month and a new work period and a new opportunity to come together to create jobs.

“I hope this month will be a productive one.  There are several important and time-sensitive items on our plate.

“One, I hope to wrap up the small-business jobs bill.  This has been on the floor for far too long, and we need to resolve it so we can move on to other matters.

“Two, we will have the same debate in the Senate that the American people are having at home.  That is the question of whether we should keep giving away money to oil companies who clearly don’t need taxpayer handouts.  That will be part of a larger debate we will continue having about how best to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and invest better and smarter in clean energy.

“Three, we will vote on the House-passed budget.  A majority of the House has embraced it, a majority of the American people has rejected it, and the Senate will soon have its say, too.

“Finally, we will confirm judicial nominees, many of whom have waited too long for the Senate to act.  If the minority forces us to file cloture on these nominees in order to get to a final vote, I will file cloture.  We cannot waste any more time or play these games any longer.  The country needs these empty benches filled.

“We also have other nominations to confirm, including the Attorney General’s top deputy, Jim Cole.

“The Deputy Attorney General runs the day-to-day operations of the Department of Justice.  He also is the person who signs the critical warrants that permit our intelligence officials to conduct surveillance on suspected terrorists.  But he can’t do that unless the Senate confirms him – so we must do that soon.

“Especially given last night’s developments, it is unthinkable that partisanship and legislative ploys are keeping a well-qualified nominee out of this important national-security role.

“A moment ago we began this remarkable new day in the Senate the same way we begin every day in session: with the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.  Its closing words were the powerful closing words of President Obama’s address to the nation last night, and their meaning is even more profound today, the first day of this new era.

“Those words – ‘liberty and justice for all’ – represent America’s purpose.  This weekend, in the name and pursuit of liberty, heroic Americans halfway around the world secured justice – for an evil man’s victims, for the survivors of his terror, for Americans, for our allies and for the entire world.  Liberty and justice, for all.”