[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 130 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING THE FALLEN HEROES OF 9/11
(Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, today we remember those who lost their
lives 13 years ago on a day that changed our Nation forever.
Yesterday Congress bestowed the highest civilian honor, the
Congressional Gold Medal, on the fallen heroes of 9/11. One of those
was Todd Beamer, a high school friend of mine. Declaring, ``Let's
roll,'' he and the other brave Americans on Flight 93 helped prevent
further catastrophe while sacrificing their own lives in the process.
This summer I had the privilege of touring the Flight 93 National
Memorial and museum in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. There I presented a
Wheaton Academy High School yearbook to be included in the museum
archives. Construction is still underway on this moving tribute to the
40 heroes.
Looking out over the crash site, I was reminded again that the world
is still a dangerous place, and our freedoms are only a generation away
from extinction. Freedom isn't inherited. It must be protected against
those who destroy it. Honoring the sacrifices of Todd and all who
perished on 9/11 requires we forever remain vigilant in defense of our
Nation's cherished values.
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