James Sensenbrenner, October 1, 2004

On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists changed the course of our nation, and the world, when they used our planes as weapons to kill almost 3,000 innocent people. Although it’s been a little over 3 years since that tragic day, I remember it as clearly as if it were yesterday. I remember where I was when the two planes crashed into the World Trade Center that morning, and I remember being glued to the television the rest of the day, as we all tried to make sense of what had happened.

Urged on by the loved ones of those who died on 9/11, President Bush created the 9/11 Commission to investigate the events of that disastrous day, and offer solutions to ensure that such events can never happen again. The Commission completed its work this summer, and Congress began its work on implementing the Commission’s recommendations immediately.

The House version of 9/11 Commission legislation, H.R. 10, takes a firm, serious stand against terrorism, while creating new protections for the civil liberties we all hold dear. HR 10 addresses almost every recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The bill contains important provisions to expedite the removal of illegal aliens, and streamline the removal of terrorists and other criminal aliens. The legislation enhances security around our borders, and reduces opportunities for terrorists to enter and stay in the United States. It enhances penalties for terrorism hoaxes, increases penalties for supporting, financing, or cooperating with terrorist organizations, and expands laws that prohibit the shipment or use of weapons of mass destruction.

HR 10 also includes the creation of a National Intelligence Director position, and establishes a National Counterterrorism Center. These are key reforms that will help ensure that the wall of separation dividing intelligence and law enforcement is never again exploited to inflict terrorist attacks upon the United States.

I am particularly pleased that HR 10 contains provisions to safeguard the privacy and civil liberties of all Americans. Specifically, the bill establishes a privacy officer to ensure that civil liberties and privacy protections are incorporated in the policies implemented by the National Intelligence Director. The bill also directs the head of each Federal agency with law enforcement or anti terrorism functions to appoint a chief privacy officer to protect against privacy abuses.

HR 10 protects the security of the American people by better defending the United States against terrorist attacks. As we know, our nation has been spared another large scale terror attack within our borders since 9/11. Yet, the terror inflicted on school children in Beslan, Russia, provides the latest reminder that the global threat of terrorism has not receded, nor has the need for vigilance and foresight.

Once the House passes the bill and it heads to the Senate, there’s no telling what will happen to it. If Members of the Senate continue to play their political games and water down this bill, then the work of the 9/11 Commission and the House will have been a waste. More importantly, the safety of the American people could be jeopardized -- and that is inexcusable. While the President and the House’s efforts to make America safe preceded the establishment of the 9/11 Commission, passage of HR 10, in its current form, will make America safer still.

Congressman James Sensenbrenner, a Republican, represents the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin. He serves as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary. The Fifth District of Wisconsin forms an arc surrounding Milwaukee to the North and West, and includes parts of Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and all of Ozaukee and Washington counties.