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U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer Honors Memory of September 11th Victims
Urges
Congress to Act on 9/11 Commission Recommendations
by Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
September 10, 2004
Statement of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer on the Third Anniversary
of the 9/11 Attacks
No American will ever forget where he or she was on September 11,
2001. I was in the U.S. Capitol when the planes hit the World Trade
Center, and then I saw the Pentagon in flames.
Californians were part of each tragic moment of that day. Some were
trapped in the World Trade Center. Some were at work in the Pentagon.
And the fates of others were sealed as they boarded planes bound
for San Francisco or Los Angeles. All four planes used by the terrorists
on September 11th were headed for California.
Three years later, the terrible images of September 11th remain
etched in our minds and our hearts. On this third anniversary of
the attacks, we commemorate those who died in the attacks and the
unwavering spirit of those who survived. We remember the true heroism
that emerged out of tragedy, how strong and united we can be as
a nation, how we can set aside differences for the greater good
and work together.
We cannot undo the horror of that day, but we can take positive
steps to protect our country and our people against future acts
of terrorism.
Among actions I have taken, I co-authored a law authorizing the
arming of commercial airline pilots to enable them to protect flights
in the event of a terrorist attack; these pilots are now being trained
and deployed. I authored the provision calling for more air marshals
on high-risk flights. I authored legislation and have been very
involved in a continuing effort to protect commercial airliners
against shoulder-fired missile attacks. I also wrote the provision
of the FAA Reauthorization law that establishes a system of anti-terrorism
training certification for flight attendants.
These are important steps forward, but we must do more.
The findings and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission should be
a major focus of action by Congress. This fine bipartisan Commission
has laid out a plan for safeguarding America by improving our intelligence
and homeland security operations. Congress can and must act before
it adjourns to implement these recommendations.
I have also called on my colleagues to move forward on legislation
such as the Port Security Bill, the Rail Security Bill, the Nuclear
Security Bill, and the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
The Senate is currently considering the Homeland Security bill,
but it has not provided enough funding to give our local police,
firefighters, and other first responders the resources they need
to protect us. Just this week, by a 46-45 vote, the Senate failed
to pass my amendment to provide $70 million for interoperable communications
so that first responders could talk to each other during an emergency.
It is time to get our priorities in order: If we can spend $200
billion in Iraq, then we can spend $70 million to protect American
lives here at home.
As we reflect on the horror and the pain of September 11th, we embrace
our nation and our freedom. We must continue to work together to
strengthen democracy in the world, and we must redouble our efforts
to erase terrorism's shadow from our lives.
Barbara
Boxer
United States Senator
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For more information on Senator Boxer's record and other information,
please go to: http://boxer.senate.gov
If you would like to make a comment regarding this or any other
federal matter, please feel free to do so at: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
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