Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO) has taken to the floor of the U.S. Senate to mark the eighth anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks by remembering those who died and to call for continued pressure to be put on terrorists by completing the military mission in Afghanistan.

"Today, as we reflect on the anniversary of 9/11 and the lives lost that day, we can honor the victims and their families by finishing the job in Afghanistan and defeating the terrorists who are bent on death and destruction," said during a Senate floor speech.

Bond says defeating the militants in Afghanistan is a job that must be done.

"The stakes of turning out back on this conflict could not be higher," said Bond. "America ignored the fact that Afghanistan became one giant training camp for terrorists in the ’90s and thousands of Americans died on 9/11 as a result."

Bond says leaving Afghanistan would be the equivalent of declaring defeat.

"Declaring defeat in Afghanistan today would signal to the families of those who died on September 11th and the troops that have fought since then in service to our country that their loved ones died in vain."

Bond says violent extremists must not be allowed to think they can wait out the military and economic might of the international community.

The death of former Governor Warren Hearnes, who died Sunday night at the age of 86, has brought statements and kind thoughts from many of Missouri’s political leaders, including the man who succeeded Hearnes in the Governor’s Office – now-U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond.

In a statement, Bond expressed sadness on the death of Hearnes, praising him as someone who dedicated his life to public service.

A few days before Hearnes’ death, when it was known the former Governor was gravely ill, Bond spoke to reporters at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, talking about the true spirit of bipartisanship exhibited by Hearnes.

"Nobody could have been a better friend," said Bond. "You talk about working in a bipartisan way. Warren Hearnes showed me how to do that. He was a true leader. A great spirit of bipartisanship came from his efforts."

Bond, a Republican, had campaigned hard against the policies of Hearnes, a Democrat. But when Bond won election to the Governor’s Office, Hearnes could not have been more helpful.

"He stepped forward and made a transition as smooth as it could be for a real greenhorn like me to take over," said Bond.

Funeral arrangements have been finalized. Hearnes’ body will lie in State in the Capitol Rotunda for public visitation from 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, followed by a State Funeral in the Rotunda. Following the services Hearnes’ body will be taken to his hometown of Charleston, in southeast Missouri, for a visitation from 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, with a Charleston funeral service scheduled for Friday morning at 11 o’clock at the First Baptist Church.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)