[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 125 (Thursday, September 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, two years ago, we all watched in horror as 
television cameras brought us the terrible scenes from New York, as we 
could see the smoke rising from the Pentagon, and as we learned of acts 
of terrorism and heroism over the skies of Pennsylvania.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends who lost 
loved ones that day.
  September 11th will remain forever seared into our memories. Today, 
we pause to remember all those who were lost and all those who rushed 
into burning buildings to try and save those trapped inside.
  So may losses, so many funerals, so many families denied even that 
small consolation.
  The losses are so great, it's hard even to comprehend them. One of 
those lost was Wanda Green, who was a flight attendant on United Flight 
93 and a cousin of my chief of staff, Sandre Swanson. I remember Wanda 
tonight as I remember all those killed that terrible, terrible day.
  Most Americans believe that we will face more acts of terrorism. 
Sadly, I believe they are right.
  We have to do all we can to try an ensure our security here at home.
  We need to do everything possible to safeguard the world's known 
stockpiles of chemicals, biological, and, God forbid, nuclear weapons 
and materials. We need to protect our own plants, bridges, and ports.
  And we need to make sure that our first responders have the tools, 
the equipment, and the training to do their jobs. We ask them to risk 
their lives for us. The least we can do is to give them the means to do 
it.
  I leave you with the words of Tom Paxton describing both the awful 
loss and the awesome courage at the World Trade Center and elsewhere 
that day:
  ``Now every time I try to sleep I'm haunted by the sound, of firemen 
pounding up the stairs while we were coming down.''
  When we ask men and women to pound up the stairs into the face of 
death and danger, we must give them every bit of support that might 
help.
  In the memory of all those we lost two years ago today, let us renew 
our commitment to safeguarding our communities.
  My thoughts and prayers to out to the parents and children; husbands, 
wives, and partners; and family and friends of all those who lost loved 
ones in those awful events.
  Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________