[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            REMEMBERING 9-11

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2006

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, in a day that will be looked upon as one of 
the worst days in American history, I remember it as a day where the 
world saw the best in all of us. Together, we mourned the loss of our 
fellow countrymen, grieved for the families they left behind and 
reaffirmed our resolve to cement the lessons of their sacrifice. Today, 
we celebrate their memory by forging a renewed commitment to never 
forget the lives lost on September 11th. For every life we lost, there 
was also a tale of courage and spirit.
  I'd like to take a moment to tell you the story of a 53-year-old 
Catholic priest living in San Diego named Bill Metzdorf who is also a 
member of the California National Guard. On September 11th, Father 
Metzdorf was fulfilling his annual National Guard requirements by 
performing funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Minutes following 
the attack on the Pentagon, Father Metzdorf was coordinating an 
impromptu prayer service. He would later accompany rescue workers into 
the Pentagon debris and perform blessings over the remains of those who 
did not survive the attack. He did this for more than two weeks, 
working 12-hour shifts.
  Consoling family members, friends and survivors, Father Metzdorf 
helped strangers become friends, facing his difficult mission with 
unshakable resolve and fierce determination. Amidst all of the fear and 
uncertainty, Father Metzdorf stood with unwavering strength and gave 
others the gift of comfort. His story is similar to many of the police, 
fire and emergency responders who went into action, unafraid and 
unwilling to let cowards win the day.
  As we honor those people lost five years ago and the heroes who 
helped rebuild an injured nation, let us also remember the men and 
women who are currently serving in our armed forces, who did not expect 
nor invite what would follow after September 11th. The people living in 
the San Diego region that I represent understand as well as anyone what 
kind of sacrifices come with military service. They have agreed to put 
a greater interest above their own and are the cornerstone of our 
Republic. They are defending the very thing the terrorists tried to 
destroy and we will never forget their service or sacrifices.
  The truth is--we survived the worst and we still stand tall today. 
Bound by a common spirit of enterprise and a love of liberty, we have 
moved beyond the shadows cast by the events of 9-11 and persevered. The 
terrorists may have succeeded in tearing down structures, but no deed 
can extinguish the flames of freedom, or the American spirit.

                          ____________________