[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARSHALL FOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2015

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight into the concerns of our younger 
constituents and hopefully get a better sense of the importance of 
being an active participant in the political process. Many of the 
students have written short essays on a variety of topics and I am 
pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Marshall Foster attends Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. The 
essay topic is: select an important event that has occurred in the past 
15 years and explain how that event has changed our country.

       In 2001, one day changed our nation forever. The World 
     Trade Center twin towers in New York City stood tall on 
     September 10th, and were no more on September 11th. This 
     terrorist attack did exactly what its name implies: it placed 
     a feeling of terror into every American heart. The tragedy of 
     September 11th put the American spirit to the test, and the 
     greatest country in the world proved that it is not a country 
     that can be brought down. The United States showed its 
     patriotism, strength, and courage by responding in a way that 
     the cowardly terrorists did not expect. We did not fall, but 
     stood strong and took the fight to our enemies. America was 
     injured that day, but the American people grew stronger and 
     sent a powerful message through patriotic action to those at 
     home and abroad.
       Americans were moved by the courage of the first responders 
     on 9/11. The heroic actions of firefighters, policemen, and 
     civilians are those which should be exemplified by every 
     American. These people set the standard for American 
     patriotism as they ran into burning buildings to save lives. 
     In addition, our strength was demonstrated by ordinary 
     citizens on United Airlines Flight 93 as they used their last 
     moments to protect their country. Their counterattack caused 
     the plane to crash before it could reach its target. The 
     heroism of all of these Americans bolstered patriotism and 
     strengthened our nation.
       On the evening of September 11th, President George W. Bush 
     sent a message to the world displaying the strength of the 
     United States and sending chills down the backs of our 
     enemies. He declared ``Terrorist attacks can shake the 
     foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch 
     the foundation of America . . . they cannot dent the steel of 
     American resolve. America was targeted . . . because we're 
     the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the 
     world. And no one will keep that light from shining''. 
     Remembering Bush's words and the attacks of 9/11, our country 
     brought war straight to those who attacked us. This strength 
     has changed the way Americans feel and has sparked my desire 
     to join the United States Military to defend our great 
     nation. Although the terrorist attacks took the lives of 
     many, America has grown stronger as we fight back against 
     those who threaten our freedoms.
       Most Americans were not in New York City on that horrifying 
     day. As Americans learned of the horror that befell our 
     country, the feeling of security that had blanketed us 
     quickly faded. Fear washed over our citizens as the new 
     reality that our enemies could reach us at home set in. 
     Americans who had not given much thought to safety began to 
     appreciate the need for strengthened national security and 
     our military. President Bush spoke these words at Ground 
     Zero, letting all Americans know that we must fight to 
     protect the freedom so many had taken for granted: ``I can 
     hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people . . 
     . who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us 
     soon!'' It was at that moment that a burning patriotism was 
     rekindled in our country. America would never be the same.

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