Tony MasielloToday, Sep 14th, is the 24th anniversary of one of the more remarkable events to take place in the days following the September 11th terrorist attacks. I like to refer to it as Barbara Lee Day. A reminder of one of the most remarkable and courageous votes in recent US political history.
"The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force" bill was passed by House and Senate a mere three days after September 11th. Of the 519 total votes cast, only Representative Lee's lone vote opposed the bill (Senate 98-0, House 420-1). A vote for which she received much negative attention in the media and also received death threats over. This is an important piece of United States history. One which calls out to us today, nearly a quarter of a century later, and forces us to take a hard look at all that has taken place in the world since September 11th and begs the question of what can we, as average citizens, do to move our country away from being a military state, and towards a focus on diplomacy and peace.
Please take a moment today to read Representative Lee's speech on the House floor or watch the video ( https://youtu.be/mvnLtMKzX6Y ) of her delivering the speech.
'Mr. Speaker, Members, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across the world. This unspeakable act on the United States has really -- really forced me, however, to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction.
September 11th changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet, I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.
Now this resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let's step back for a moment. Let's just pause, just for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control.
Now I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it today, and I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore."'
- Representative Barabara Lee, September 14th, 2001
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Speech on 9/14/01
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