[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN REMEMBRANCE OF SEPTEMBER 11

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                          HON. BERNARD SANDERS

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, our nation was forever changed on the 
morning of Sept 11. The goal of Osama bin Laden was to demoralize us, 
create fear, uncertainty and instability in our country--he failed. 
Last week Congress met in New York to pay tribute to those who were 
killed, and I was reminded how strong and resilient our country truly 
is. Last September 11 we saw amazing displays of heroism and bravery. I 
will never forget the sight of firemen entering the World Trade Center 
risking their lives to save others.
  We have also learned a great deal since Sept 11. We've learned that 
we are a vulnerable nation, and that we must lead an international 
coalition against bigoted, religious fanatics who believe they have the 
right to kill in order to impose their reactionary ideology on others. 
Many of us also have learned that in order to be true to American 
values, we must not undermine the fundamental principles and 
constitutional rights that our country was founded on.
  As an American and a Vermonter, I was enormously proud of how our 
people responded to this crisis in terms of blood donations, financial 
contributions and coming together as a community to support the victims 
and each other. It is my hope that we will continue to show that same 
sense of community that we demonstrated in the aftermath of the 
September 11 attacks.

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