Senator Collins had been scheduled to speak at both the Yale Club of Western Maine in Brunswick and the Maine Association of County Commissioners in Bangor prior to Tuesday''s terrorist attacks against the United States. She was able to travel home to keep those commitments and spoke to both gatherings about events over the past week and what will be expected of all Americans in the weeks and months ahead.
"A heinous act of war has been perpetrated against the United States and against all civilized nations. It is only fitting that the Commander-in-Chief have at his disposal all means necessary to execute full and appropriate reprisals against those responsible, their accomplices, and their sponsors. This resolution does just as the word implies: declares to the world that we are resolute in this pursuit.
"The Senate''s unanimous vote demonstrates how united America is in responding to this attack on our nation, our citizens, and our values."