[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 THE TERRORIST ATTACKS LAST WEEK IN NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, many thousands of families across this 
Nation were hurt in terrible and tragic ways by the terrorist attacks 
last week in New York City and Washington, D.C.
  For them, there will be no closure, a word I dislike, because I 
believe it is simply a word used by those not directly affected to make 
themselves feel better.
  Those who lost loved ones or those who suffered very severe injuries 
will have to learn to cope with their losses and/or their injuries in 
the best way possible, but it will be extremely difficult, especially 
for parents who lost sons or daughters or small children who lost a 
mother or father.
  So I certainly do not in any way want to minimize their losses.
  But, there has been an outpouring of love, kindness and patriotism 
like I have never seen in my lifetime.
  There are thousands of people across this country attempting to do 
everything they can to bring good out of this bad, triumph out of 
tragedy--horrible, horrible tragedy.
  We have all been moved by many wonderful people and the stories of 
the good they have done.
  But I want to especially call to the attention of my colleagues, and 
readers of the record all over the Nation, the actions of Melissa 
Kesling and the words of Justin Wright, two outstanding young people 
from East Tennessee.
  Melissa is a 15-year-old sophomore at Farragut High School in West 
Knox County, just outside the City of Knoxville.
  She had worked for many months as a clerk in a doctor's office and as 
a babysitter to save money for a trip to Spain.
  On her own, without her parents ever knowing, she donated her entire 
savings of $1,100 to the American Red Cross to assist in their work 
arising out of these attacks.
  Justin is a fifth-grade student at Ball Camp Elementary School, also 
in Knox County.
  He was given an assignment to write about his feelings following the 
tragedies of September 11. He wrote the following words (words I wish 
all Americans could read):

                          Attack on the U.S.A.

       I wonder why someone would do such a horrible thing? 
     Whoever caused this tragedy will be greatly punished.
       At first I was scared because we live near Oak Ridge, which 
     has lots of nuclear weapons. If the terrorists had attacked 
     Oak Ridge, we might have been injured or killed.
       There may be a war, but I am not afraid. Many men will be 
     put to the test. I believe in their ability to find and 
     punish the morons responsible. I am still very upset, and I 
     wish I had some way to help the government figure out who is 
     responsible. If I were old enough, I would volunteer to be a 
     fighter pilot and help punish these terrorists.
       I feel so sorry for all the victims and their families. I 
     am glad that my family was neither on the airplanes nor in 
     the damaged buildings. If I were old enough, I would go to 
     New York and Washington to help the victims.
       I have chosen not to dwell on this tragedy. I will live my 
     life in a cautious manner, but I will not let the threat of 
     terrorism ruin my life. Our money says, ``In God We Trust'', 
     and this is what we should do. We need to put our trust in 
     God each and every day. The Lord is our shepherd, and He will 
     guide us through the rest of our lives. I AM PROUD TO BE AN 
     AMERICAN!!!!!!!!

  We would not need to worry about the future of this Nation if all of 
our young people were outstanding citizens and patriotic Americans like 
Melissa Kesling and Justin Wright. I am very proud of both of them.

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