[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 115 (Friday, September 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 994, EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE 
  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF TERRORIST ATTACKS 
        LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JEFF FORTENBERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2006

  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, today we remember those who died 
tragically on September 11, 2001--and the family members who continue 
to mourn such terrible loss. We honor the strength of these Americans 
and we also thank the brave men and women defending America today from 
those who continue to seek to do us harm.
  We live in a very special place. We live in a country that is built 
on the fundamental principle that all persons have inherent dignity and 
rights. The freedoms we enjoy depend on this fundamental principle. As 
many did in the immediate aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, Americans are 
willing to risk their lives for the sake of their fellow citizens--for 
the good of country, family, and community.
  Last week I had the privilege of formally welcoming home the soldiers 
of the 67th Area Support Group of the Nebraska National Guard as they 
all returned home safely from a yearlong deployment.
  What a beautiful scene! Families reunited . . . husbands and wives in 
loving embraces, children scrambling to greet the mom or dad they'd 
known only through letters and photos the year before. Parents taking 
up young children in their arms, some perhaps for the first time.
  In their commitment and patriotism, these soldiers had given a year 
away from families and homes to serve their country. Many of our 
military service personnel will tell you that their service is driven 
by the events of that fateful day 5 years ago. They sacrifice so much 
personally to help protect our Nation.
  Fortunately there has not been an attack on America for five years. 
This is not due to wishful thinking. This is due to the extraordinary 
effort to rethink and reform our national security efforts. Our 
military, our homeland security forces, police officers, firefighters, 
and emergency first responders have all played a very important role in 
protecting America.
  Their work helps make America safer--their sacrifice keeps our 
families more secure.
  And the compassion, sacrifice, and resolve of the American people 
help make our Nation great. We have faced difficult challenges of 
worldwide significance in the past--World War II and the Cold War. We 
prevailed then and we must now prevail for the good of our country and 
the hope of a more peaceful world.

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