[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the tragic attacks 
on America on September 11, 2001, and the remarkable heroism of those 
who responded selflessly to those attacks, the weapon we have most, 
that we need most, and that we need now more than any time in the 
history of the Republic is prayer.
  We need prayer for our brave men and women in the military who are 
fighting the war on terrorism and for those who will go, prayer for our 
President and our leaders as they chart our Nation's course, prayer for 
the families and friends of the more than 3,000 citizens who lost their 
lives in New York City, on the place that crashed in Pennsylvania and 
at the Pentagon, and prayer for the safety and security of our Nation.
  We need prayer as well for the selfless and hardworking members of 
our police, firefighter and emergency response teams. The harsh reality 
of the danger of their jobs came crashing down on America on September 
11 when 343 firefighters, 23 police officers and 37 Port Authority 
officers in New York City lost their lives at the World Trade Center.
  With a year to ponder the terrible losses suffered that day and the 
threat of terrorism and evil still looming over our Nation, we realize 
now more than ever the debt of gratitude that we owe to those who place 
themselves in harm's way to protect our Nation and our citizens.
  September 11 unified America and reawakened a spirit of determination 
and patriotism not seen since World War II. On that day we were 
reminded that freedom is not free--that there is a price that must be 
extracted to defeat tyranny and terrorism and to preserve the precious 
freedoms for which previous generations of heroes have fought so 
valiantly.
  The war on terrorism will be a long war--but it is a war that we can 
and will win. So as we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice 
for their country and those still on the front lines in the battle for 
freedom, we are filled with renewed resolve that those who perpetrated 
these terrible acts will be brought to justice and that such a tragedy 
will never happen again in America.
  May God bless the families of the victims of September 11, and may 
God continue to bless America.

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