[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1127-E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE LOST AND THOSE WHO GAVE AND RISKED THEIR LIVES 
  DURING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON 
                           SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, on this, the 18th anniversary of the 
attack launched against the United States on September 11, 2001, I rise 
to remember the victims of that horrific tragedy and those first-
responders who risked, and in too many cases, sacrificed their lives to 
rescue the occupants of the besieged World Trade Center Towers.
  The morning of September 11, 2001 is, and will always be, a day like 
no other.
  It is a day all living Americans will remember because not since 
Pearl Harbor had there been such a dastardly and deadly attack on 
American soil.
  Eighteen years later, my heart still grieves for those who perished 
on flights United Airlines 93, American Airlines 77, American Airlines 
11, and United Airlines 175.
  When the sun rose on the morning of September 11, none of us knew 
that it would end in an inferno in the magnificent World Trade Center 
Towers in New York City and the Pentagon and in the grassy fields of 
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  I stand here remembering those who still suffer, whose hearts still 
ache over the loss of so many innocent and interrupted lives.
  My prayer is that for those who lost a father, a mother, a husband, a 
wife, a child, or a friend will in the days and years ahead take 
comfort in the certain knowledge that they have gone on to claim the 
greatest prize, a place in the Lord's loving arms.
  And down here on the ground, their memory will never die so long as 
any of the many of us who loved them lives.
  Madam Speaker, I watched as the first, and then the second, plane 
flew into the World Trade Center and was horrified when the buildings 
came down.
  I was in The Capitol and saw the billowing smoke from the wreckage at 
the Pentagon and was told about the missing third plane that met its 
fiery end in the empty fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania thanks to 
the selfless act of patriotic and heroic Americans.
  But as hard as it is to believe, out of a tragedy so overwhelming and 
horrific, something good and great emerged in the aftermath of 
September 11.
  On that day there were no Republicans or Democrats.
  There were no Northerners or Southerners or West or East Coasters.
  We were not Red State or Blue State.
  We were all simply Americans.
  On that day, we were united in our shock and anger and sadness.

[[Page E1128]]

  We were united in our resolve to defend our country and protect the 
freedoms that has made America the greatest country in the history of 
the world.
  Later that day, I joined scores of my colleagues on the East Steps of 
the Capitol where we sang `God Bless America', lit candles, held hands, 
and prayed for our country and its leaders.
  In the days ahead, I travelled to New York City to visit first 
responders and victims still recovering bodies and rescuing victims of 
the attacks and became a charter member of the Committee on Homeland 
Security to ensure that 9-11 never again happens in America.
  A united America can never be defeated as Operation Enduring Freedom 
showed.
  The brave and valiant armed forces of the United States swiftly 
toppled the Taliban and liberated Afghanistan, making good on the 
pledge that ``[w]hether the terrorists are brought to justice or 
justice is brought to the terrorists, justice will be done.''
  And though he ran and hid for almost ten years, Osama bin Ladin could 
not hide forever and evade the long arm of American justice, which, 
under the leadership of President Barack Obama, caught up with him on 
May 2, 2011.
  Madam Speaker, Americans take care of their own.
  Americans cherish freedom. Americans cherish liberty.
  And Americans want peace.
  Not just for themselves alone, but all persons in every corner of the 
globe.
  Madam Speaker, ensuring that America is safe and secure and protected 
from another attack on American soil is the least we owe to the heroic 
passengers on Flight 93 and to the brave firefighters of the FDNY and 
officers of the NYPD and the officers and civilians we lost in the 
Pentagon who gave faithful service to our nation.
  Americans want their country to remain safe, free, and invulnerable 
to another cowardly attack like the one we witnessed eighteen years ago 
today.
  We owe that much to the Americans who lost and gave their lives.
  We owe it to them to ensure that their children and loved ones will 
never again experience such pain, suffering, and loss.
  We can do this. We must do this. After all, we are Americans.

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