[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 722, which marks the eighth anniversary of September 
11, 2001 and solemnly recognizes the lives lost and the sacrifices made 
on that day.
  I want to commend Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Boehner for bringing this 
bipartisan resolution to the floor.
  None of us will ever forget where we were and what we were doing on 
the morning of September 11, 2001. The images of the planes hitting the 
World Trade Center towers, the smoke rising above the Pentagon, and the 
scattered remnants of flight 93 in that Shanksville, Pennsylvania field 
will forever be seared in our Nation's consciousness.
  This resolution affirms that we continue to mourn the innocent loss 
of life that occurred that horrific morning and extend our deepest 
sympathies and prayers to family and friends of the victims. It also 
pays tribute to the heroism of the first responders, law enforcement 
personnel, and ordinary citizens who rushed to the aid of their fellow 
Americans on that darkest of days.
  With this resolution, the House not only recognizes the extraordinary 
heroism of that day but acknowledges the significant strides we have 
made as a Nation to improve information sharing, strengthen our 
borders, and enhance our resilience. As a result, the United States is 
more secure today than it was on September 11, 2001. However, we must 
not lose sight of what still needs to be done or grow complacent about 
security. The nature of the terrorist threat demands vigilance at all 
levels of government and in our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, this anniversary represents an opportunity to rededicate 
ourselves to these efforts and H. Res. 722 is a fitting remembrance of 
how September 11 changed the course of our Nation's history.
  Let us never forget the lives that were lost and the lessons that 
were learned that day.

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