Chris Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, words are inadequate to convey the utter shock, horror, sorrow, dismay--and anger, over yesterday's supreme act of cowardice against innocent Americans. Our prayers and hearts go out to the victims--the dead and the wounded--and to those who at this very hour cling to life, horribly trapped under concrete, jagged glass and steel. Our nation's admiration and respect for the firefighters, police officers and medics, many of whom lost their lives in the lien of duty, in deep. Valor, courage and selflessness were commonplace yesterday, as many rescuers became victims themselves. Our hearts go out to the victims' families and friends who today must cope with their excruciating loss. As shock abates, the numbing pain of yesterday's terror will leave indelible scars. May god supernaturally intervene with healing, comfort and peace. Mr. Speaker, the cowards who perpetrated these crimes against God and Humanity must be brought to justice no matter how long it takes. And, by the grace of God and the crafting of wise policy initiatives, this must never happen again. Two years ago, in light of the growing danger of international terrorism, I authored the Embassy Security Act (H.R. 3427) to provide $6 billion to make America's foreign embassies and missions stronger and safer. This week, we learned that even this large sum was not enough to deter those with an absolute disregard for the value of human life. We must and will do more. Those who wish us harm should know that Americans are strong, determined and resilient. America is united, not to be underestimated. In like manner, President Bush is strong and determined, fully in charge, not to be underestimated, and will lead us with boldness and prudence. Finally, America's foundational strength isn't to be found in its military might or relative prosperity--but in our individual and collective faith in, and faithfulness to, God. May this horrific act of mass violence compel us to turn anew to God seeking healing, restoration and justice, as well as devine guidance, so that His will will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), a member of the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Transportation, and frankly, the entire delegation of Montana.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), chairman of the Subcommittee on Education Reform of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the former governor of Delaware.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), a member of the Committee on Agriculture. (Mr. GRAVES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), a member of the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on the Budget.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), a member of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey), a member of the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Financial Services.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), the very distinguished chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), who has waited for hours to get to the floor to speak, a Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Readiness. (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), who is chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, and they oversee FEMA.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), a member of the Committees on Agriculture; Education and the Workforce; and Judiciary. (Mr. GOODLATTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), a member of the Committee on Agriculture, and very importantly, with this debate, the Committee on Armed Services. (Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly). (Mr. GALLEGLY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), a member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman Mr. Hyde, and thank him for his very eloquent remarks just a few moments ago and for all the very moving statements being made on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, words, however, are simply inadequate to convey the utter shock, horror, sorrow, dismay and anger over yesterday's supreme act of cowardice against innocent Americans. Our prayers and hearts go out to the victims--the dead and the wounded--and to those who at this very hour cling to life, horribly trapped under concrete, jagged glass, and steel. Our Nation's admiration and respect for the firefighters, police officers, and medics, many of whom lost their lives in the line of duty, is deep. Valor, courage, and selflessness were commonplace yesterday as many rescuers became themselves victims. Our hearts go out to the victims' families and close friends who today must cope with their excruciating loss. As shock abates, the numbing pain of yesterday's terror will leave indelible scars. May God supernaturally intervene with healing comfort and that peace that surpasses understanding. Mr. Speaker, the cowards who perpetrated these crimes against God and humanity must be brought to justice no matter how long it takes. And by the grace of God, and the crafting of wise policy initiatives, this must never be allowed to happen again. We must take all the requisite steps to win that war which the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) spoke of earlier, the war against terrorism. Those who wish us harm should know, Mr. Speaker, that Americans are strong, determined, and resilient. America is united; not to be underestimated. In like manner, President Bush is strong and determined; fully in charge and not to be underestimated, and will lead us with boldness as well as prudence. Finally, Mr. Speaker, America's foundational strength is not to be found in its military might, significant as that is, or our relative prosperity, and we are indeed rich in the world's resources, but it is to be found in our individual and collective faith in and faithfulness to God. May this horrific act of mass violence compel us to turn anew to God, seeking healing, restoration, and justice, as well as divine guidance, so that His will will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen).

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul).

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter).