[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 130 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5552-S5553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            REMEMBERING 9/11

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today we remember 9/11. The President, 
First Lady and Vice President led a moment of silence at the White 
House this morning. The anniversary was observed at the Pentagon, at 
Ground Zero in New York, and in a field in Shanksville, PA. Across the 
country, we are connected by the sadness we all feel as we reflect on 
the lives lost, some 3,000 Americans, to this blatant act of terrorism.
  We can all recall that moment. I recall looking down the Mall toward 
the Washington Monument and watching the black smoke billowing across 
the Mall from the Pentagon, where that deadly crash took the lives of 
passengers on that plane and innocent people working in defense of 
America. That was a moment that will never be forgotten.
  There's a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament known as ``selah.'' 
It doesn't have an easy translation but it is meant to serve as a 
pause-and-consider moment between passages. At 8:46 a.m. this morning, 
we observed a moment of silence to remember those souls lost on that 
day. We should all experience a ``selah'' moment today because we will 
never forget 9/11. Pause and consider, pause and remember.
  Thirteen years later, we still live in the shadow of the fallen 
towers of the World Trade Center and the attack on the Pentagon. Al 
Qaeda brought its darkness to our shores and took the lives of innocent 
people. President John F. Kennedy said, ``We are not here to curse the 
darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that 
darkness to a safe and sane future.''
  It was in our bleakest moments in those tragic days that we found the 
light. Remember the outpouring of compassion and common purpose that 
united us on 9/11 and for weeks after. The attacks were the worst 
humanity could provide. Our response as a people was the best. The 
American people are always the candle that guides us.
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I rise today to remember the precious 
lives lost 13 years ago in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Our 
perception of the world changed in very dramatic ways by sunset on that 
day of infamy and we awoke on September 12 to what we believed to be a 
much more dangerous reality. We have learned a number of lessons since 
that day. Some were crystal clear almost immediately while others 
required us to walk a more difficult path to gain clarity. As we 
reflect on the 13th anniversary of 
9/11, I would like to remind my colleagues of the two principles that 
can serve as our anchor amidst uncertainty and stormy circumstances.
  First is that the followers of Osama bin Laden turned the openness 
and freedom of American society against us by savagely using civilian 
passenger jets as missiles to demolish the Twin Towers of the World 
Trade Center and destroy a large section of the Pentagon. They wield 
the weapons of fear, chaos, and destruction. We must remember that our 
foundation is built on freedom, justice, and equality. The greatest 
weapon in our arsenal is not a munition or aircraft but our light that 
remains shining upon the hill. Ours is the greatest democracy this 
planet has ever known and that is why it is a threat to those who seek 
darkness and destruction. We build, we progress, we encourage, we 
respect, but we do not sink to the level of our adversaries even if 
that means the fight is not fair. I am reminded of the words of 
President Kennedy, who said, ``In the long history of the world, only a 
few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its 
hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I 
welcome it.''
  The second principle that we must remember is that the United States 
of America remains an indispensable Nation and to those to whom much is 
given, much is expected in return. We have a unique role in the world 
to lead the international community in providing stability, 
humanitarian relief, and defense of the innocent. Today we remain 
engaged in a war against elements of extremist terror organizations 
bent on the destruction of all people regardless of faith, nationality, 
or race who do not accept their tyrannical 9th century vision of the 
world. They are unlike any enemy we have ever faced in that they 
respect no boundaries, have no clear end, target civilians and 
servicemembers indiscriminately, and they are determined to make our 
home front the front lines.
  Thirteen years ago, as the attacks unfolded and we learned of the 
scope of the Al Qaeda network, we all questioned how our Nation would 
respond and whether we could recover. But as the days rolled by and we 
saw the determination, the compassion, and the commitment of so many 
individuals giving freely of their time and their money to help those 
affected by the attacks, we laid that question to rest. The bravery, 
resourcefulness, and the shared sense of purpose we witnessed that day 
and every day since 9/11 have

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shown the world the ``stuff'' of which Americans are made: an 
unquenchable love of freedom and an unwavering commitment to democracy. 
I have heard it said that 9/11 did not test America's character; it 
revealed it.
  For the better part of the 20th century the United States and our 
allies fought a successful battle against the genocidal forces of 
fascism and totalitarianism. We defeated the Nazis. We won the Cold 
War. In the bloody struggle between ideologies, democratic governments 
triumphed over repressive regimes.
  Since that day, we have consecrated the time and place where these 
terrorist acts occurred. We have commemorated the brave and dedicated 
individuals who faced 9/11 and its consequences head-on. We have 
honored and laid to rest our fallen war heroes. We have rebuilt the 
mangled section of the Pentagon, honored Flight 77's bravery in the 
Pennsylvania countryside and returned Ground Zero in New York City to 
the world's vibrant center of economic activity. When I think of these 
locations, I am reminded of the words President Lincoln delivered at 
Gettysburg that ``we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot 
hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, 
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract''.
  We have also made mistakes but we acknowledge and learn from those 
mistakes.
  I believe we will prevail against this enemy for the same reason we 
have been victorious in previous conflicts: the overwhelming majority 
of people in the world want freedom and justice and dignity and 
opportunity. I am confident because America remains a beacon of hope to 
the oppressed everywhere. I am confident because I know this generation 
will meet all challenges and threats we face as a Nation as 
successfully as we met the challenges and threats of the last century. 
We must remain clear-eyed as to identity and objectives of our enemy 
and the distinction between us. We cannot shrink when the oppressed cry 
for freedom and the enslaved call for justice.
  The 9/11 anniversary is especially poignant this year as it falls 
just 3 days short of the bicentennial of the Star-Spangled Banner, our 
National Anthem. The greatest navy in the world bombarded Fort McHenry 
for 25 hours, starting on September 13, 1814. British troops were 
poised to move into Baltimore after Fort McHenry fell. The Nation's 
capital was in flames; the Nation's future was in grave doubt. And 
then, an amazing thing happened: Fort McHenry did not fall to the 
British. A huge, glorious flag was flying over the fort as dawn broke 
on September 14, 1814. The British forces retreated. One of the darkest 
hours in America's history turned into one of its brightest moments, 
and Maryland lawyer Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star-
Spangled Banner.
  We will have additional challenges in the months and years ahead. But 
we must never forget the sacrifice previous generations of Americans 
have made to safeguard our liberty. And we must never forget that our 
enemies fight because they have so little freedom while we Americans 
fight because we have so much freedom and that makes all the 
difference.

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