[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF TERRORIST 
    ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

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                               speech of

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday September 11, 2001

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, Last week it was my high honor and privilege 
to join my colleagues in the House and Senate for a Commemorative Joint 
Session of Congress in New York City to honor the victims and heroes of 
September 11th.
  While we Members of Congress are often engaged in abrasive 
confrontation, today I look around and see total unity, total 
recognition that whether Republican or Democrat, we are first and 
foremost Americans, and the common values we share far outweigh those 
we do not.
  This is the same expression of unity demonstrated by Americans across 
the country on the days following the terrorist attacks on September 
11th. I find comfort in the knowledge that it represents a promise that 
we will not back down from preserving our freedoms and protecting our 
homeland from those who wish to destroy our way of life.
  And as we revisit some of the darkest moments in our nation's 
history, we must remember that our Nation has always been one that has 
triumphed over adversity. Indeed, I think it is fair to say that at 
times of great despair, America has consistently risen to its greatest 
hours.
  So in remembrance of those lives lost on September 11th, I would like 
to conclude with some words from President Lincoln's Gettysburg 
Address:

       ``that from these honored dead we take increased devotion 
     to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of 
     devotion * * * that we here highly resolve that these dead 
     shall not have died in vain * * * that this nation, under 
     God, shall have a new birth of freedom * * * and that 
     government of the people * * *by the people * * * for the 
     people * * * shall not perish from the earth.''

     

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