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 or 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 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 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."

　　我今天怀着一颗极其沉重的心起来发言。我的心充满了对本周的死难者和亲属的悲哀。只有最愚蠢最无情的人才会不懂得我们人民心中的深痛。但是，这种对合众国犯下的无以言喻的暴行迫使我倚向我的道义，良心和上帝寻求指引。

　　九月十一日改变了世界，深深的恐怖缠绕着我们。然而我深信，军事行动并不能防止将来的恐怖主义袭击。这是一个极其错综复杂的难题。

　　这个（战争授权）决议将被通过。而且我们都知道总统有没有授权都可以发动战争。无论投下这一（反对）票多么艰难，我们中间必须有人站出来呼吁克制。我们的国家正处于悲恸之中。我们中间必须有人站出来说，让我们暂歇一步，让我们屏息一刻想一想，我们今天的行动究竟意味着什么，这样我们才不会把事情做到不可收拾的地步。

　　我为这一票付出了极其痛苦的思考。但我终于把握住了我的决定。在今天的一个哀痛而壮丽的纪念仪式中我作出了反对这一（战争授权）议案的决定。正如一位牧师令人如此信服地告诫：“当我们反击的时候，让我们不要成为我们所憎恶的魔鬼。”