[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING INNOCENT LIVES LOST ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 TERROR 
                                ATTACKS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, we 
remembered the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. I rise 
today to remember the innocent lives that we lost.
  At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 flew into tower one of the 
World Trade Center. Not long after, Flight 175 roared over lower 
Manhattan into tower two.
  While Americans around the country were grappling with the events 
that had just transpired, a third plane, Flight 77, crashed into the 
Pentagon, the center of our Armed Forces and national defense.
  In southwest Pennsylvania, the fourth flight, United 93, originally 
headed to San Francisco, was hijacked and made the abrupt turn toward 
Washington, D.C. But because of the brave passengers and crew members 
who attempted to take back the plane, it crashed into a field in 
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  Now, I had the humbling opportunity to join over 450 family members 
of United Flight 93 passengers and crew members at the memorial site on 
the 20th anniversary of that tragic day. During the ceremony, we heard 
from Captain Kurtz, USS Somerset; Governor Wolf; Gordon Felt, brother 
of Edward Porter Felt, who perished in the crash; Secretary of the 
Interior Deb Haaland, Vice President Kamala Harris; and former 
President George W. Bush.

  The ceremony was a chance to reflect on the events of that fateful 
day and to honor the lives lost and the heroes that united us.
  In the days, weeks, months, and now two decades that followed 
September 11, our country joined together to face the very evil which 
attempted to take us down.
  We will forever be indebted to our servicemen and -women who joined 
the fight to protect our freedoms. We must remember the sacrifices made 
by our servicemembers and the first responders and their families every 
day since.
  While today's world has grown no less dangerous, we, as Americans, 
are resilient. We will continue to fight the evil and terror that 
exists today, and we will continue to be a beacon of freedom to the 
world.
  Let us reflect on the gift of life so tragically lost at the World 
Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a 
field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  Let us honor the memory of every American who perished on that 
fateful day. Their legacies will be forever entwined with the strength 
and courage that define our great country.
  We will never forget, not 20 years later, not ever. May God continue 
to watch over our first responders, our men and women in uniform, and 
all those who keep us safe.

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