Estuaries are coastal bays, harbors, sounds and lagoons, places where rivers meet the sea.

Since its enactment in the weeks following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the tools in the Patriot Act have been used by law enforcement to stop more than 400 terrorist threats to our families and communities.

The Hussein regime's support for terrorism, within and outside of its borders, its appetite for the world's most dangerous weapons, and its openly declared hostility to the United States were a combination that was a gathering and growing danger to our country.

The Delaware Estuary has sustained a human population for thousands of years, but by the end of the 19th Century, increased population and industrialization had transformed much of the upper Estuary watershed.

Since the events of September 11, weve rightfully changed our military strategy so were now taking the fight to those individuals who aim to do us harm, rather than waiting for another atrocious attack to happen.

It is in times of great tragedy when the true spirit of our wonderful country unites as one.

In fact, the Iraqi foreign minister admitted in March 2003 that Iraqi funds were sent to families of Palestinian suicide bombers who attacked and killed innocent Israeli citizens, and also 12 Americans in Israel in 2003.