Neither the framers nor subsequent political leaders had built in to the constitutional framework any plans to reconstitute Congress in the event of a catastrophe like 9/11. I called for Congressional leaders to at least create a commission to study the problem and potential solutions.

Looking back over the decade, the first clear lesson is the critical importance of Mr. Bush's decision to consider the struggle with al Qaeda a war.

The danger of a catastrophic attack on Congress is real--it might have happened on 9/11.

The danger of a catastrophic attack on Congress is real--it might have happened on 9/11.

The alleged Ontario plot ought, if nothing else, to alert Canadians that they sit in the same boat as all the other Western democracies.

Why do we have no tangible and workable plans in place to maintain a functioning, viable, and representative Congress if and when a larger terrorist attack takes place?

If control of United Flight 93 had not been wrested away from the terrorists, the Capitol might well have been struck, killing or incapacitating large numbers of congressmen.

On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, one way to honor those dead is to recognize what they accomplished. Along with the mourning and thanksgiving, there is also much to celebrate on this anniversary. Three successes stand out as particularly important.