IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE LOST AND THOSE WHO GAVE AND RISKED THEIR LIVES DURING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 145
(Extensions of Remarks - September 11, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1127-E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE LOST AND THOSE WHO GAVE AND RISKED THEIR LIVES
DURING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
______
HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, on this, the 18th anniversary of the
attack launched against the United States on September 11, 2001, I rise
to remember the victims of that horrific tragedy and those first-
responders who risked, and in too many cases, sacrificed their lives to
rescue the occupants of the besieged World Trade Center Towers.
The morning of September 11, 2001 is, and will always be, a day like
no other.
It is a day all living Americans will remember because not since
Pearl Harbor had there been such a dastardly and deadly attack on
American soil.
Eighteen years later, my heart still grieves for those who perished
on flights United Airlines 93, American Airlines 77, American Airlines
11, and United Airlines 175.
When the sun rose on the morning of September 11, none of us knew
that it would end in an inferno in the magnificent World Trade Center
Towers in New York City and the Pentagon and in the grassy fields of
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
I stand here remembering those who still suffer, whose hearts still
ache over the loss of so many innocent and interrupted lives.
My prayer is that for those who lost a father, a mother, a husband, a
wife, a child, or a friend will in the days and years ahead take
comfort in the certain knowledge that they have gone on to claim the
greatest prize, a place in the Lord's loving arms.
And down here on the ground, their memory will never die so long as
any of the many of us who loved them lives.
Madam Speaker, I watched as the first, and then the second, plane
flew into the World Trade Center and was horrified when the buildings
came down.
I was in The Capitol and saw the billowing smoke from the wreckage at
the Pentagon and was told about the missing third plane that met its
fiery end in the empty fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania thanks to
the selfless act of patriotic and heroic Americans.
But as hard as it is to believe, out of a tragedy so overwhelming and
horrific, something good and great emerged in the aftermath of
September 11.
On that day there were no Republicans or Democrats.
There were no Northerners or Southerners or West or East Coasters.
We were not Red State or Blue State.
We were all simply Americans.
On that day, we were united in our shock and anger and sadness.
[[Page E1128]]
We were united in our resolve to defend our country and protect the
freedoms that has made America the greatest country in the history of
the world.
Later that day, I joined scores of my colleagues on the East Steps of
the Capitol where we sang `God Bless America', lit candles, held hands,
and prayed for our country and its leaders.
In the days ahead, I travelled to New York City to visit first
responders and victims still recovering bodies and rescuing victims of
the attacks and became a charter member of the Committee on Homeland
Security to ensure that 9-11 never again happens in America.
A united America can never be defeated as Operation Enduring Freedom
showed.
The brave and valiant armed forces of the United States swiftly
toppled the Taliban and liberated Afghanistan, making good on the
pledge that ``[w]hether the terrorists are brought to justice or
justice is brought to the terrorists, justice will be done.''
And though he ran and hid for almost ten years, Osama bin Ladin could
not hide forever and evade the long arm of American justice, which,
under the leadership of President Barack Obama, caught up with him on
May 2, 2011.
Madam Speaker, Americans take care of their own.
Americans cherish freedom. Americans cherish liberty.
And Americans want peace.
Not just for themselves alone, but all persons in every corner of the
globe.
Madam Speaker, ensuring that America is safe and secure and protected
from another attack on American soil is the least we owe to the heroic
passengers on Flight 93 and to the brave firefighters of the FDNY and
officers of the NYPD and the officers and civilians we lost in the
Pentagon who gave faithful service to our nation.
Americans want their country to remain safe, free, and invulnerable
to another cowardly attack like the one we witnessed eighteen years ago
today.
We owe that much to the Americans who lost and gave their lives.
We owe it to them to ensure that their children and loved ones will
never again experience such pain, suffering, and loss.
We can do this. We must do this. After all, we are Americans.
____________________