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.