[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17475]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          IN HONOR OF JEREMY GLICK OF WEST MILFORD, NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Mrs. ROUKEMA Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
the great bravery, courage, and patriotism of Jeremy Glick of West 
Milford, New Jersey. His acts of exceptional bravery, valor, and 
patriotism are worthy of the Congress granting Jeremy the Congressional 
Gold Medal.
  Jeremy Glick was a passenger on board United Airlines Flight #93 that 
on September 11, 2001, departed from Newark International Airport at 
8:01 a.m. on its scheduled route to San Francisco, California, with 7 
crewmembers and 37 passengers on board. Shortly after departure, the 
plane was hijacked by terrorists. At 10:37 a.m. United Airlines Flight 
93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania killing all on board.
  It is clear from the evidence that after learning that other hijacked 
planes had been used to attack the World Trade Center in New York City, 
Jeremy and others onboard United Airlines Flight #93 decided to fight 
the terrorists for control of the plane. Their brave defiance appear to 
have caused United Flight #93 to crash prematurely, potentially saving 
hundreds of thousands of lives. It is widely believed that the White 
House or the Capitol was the target of the terrorists.
  Jeremy was a devoted family man. His wife Lyzbeth had recently given 
birth to their daughter Emerson. Anyone who has seen the picture of 
Jeremy holding his baby daughter can clearly see the deep love that was 
in his heart.
  Jeremy was a man who loved life. Lyz, his brother Jared, or any of 
his friends could tell you endless stories that end in laughter. 
Ironically, Jeremy and his buddies dressed up like their favorite super 
heroes a couple of weeks ago. Jeremy dressed up as the Green Lantern. 
Little would we know that on September 11, 2001, Jeremy became a super 
hero.
  Soon after the terrorists took over the plane, Jeremy called his wife 
on his cell phone. Jeremy told his family about the terrorists and the 
location of the plane. Jeremy's family relayed the information to the 
police over another phone line. After Jeremy learned that other 
terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center he left his phone 
for a while and return to say that the men voted to attack the 
terrorists. He left the phone and said he would be back--he never came 
back on the line.
  It is not hard to imagine that Jeremy deciding to join with other 
passengers to fight the terrorists. He was well over six-feet and was a 
college judo champion. It was reported that Jeremy faced down the 
terrorists armed only with a plastic knife from an airline meal. I 
believe that Jeremy did not even need the plastic knife because he had 
courage and bravery on his side when he fought with the cowards who 
commandeered the plane.
  Jeremy's last words to his wife were, ``Lyz, I need you to be 
happy.'' It should be the hope and prayer of all Americans that Lyz 
will be happy. Lyz said after the crash, ``I think God had a larger 
purpose for him. He was supposed to fly out the night before, but 
couldn't. I had Emmy one month early, so Jeremy got to see her. You 
can't tell me God isn't at work here.'' I believe God is at work with 
the Glicks.
  One thing that Lyz can definitely be, as we all are, is proud. The 
incredible courage and bravery that Jeremy showed in the face of 
certain danger is not only an inspiration to us all but a bright light 
in the flame that burns in the hearts of all freedom loving people. 
When Jeremy died, he did it on his own terms--fighting against evil, 
with a brave heart, and boundless courage to sacrifice himself so many 
others could live.
  Now our nation faces a long and hard struggle to rid the world of the 
evil that took Jeremy's and so many others lives on September 11. Many 
thousands of our men and women in uniform will meet the challenge. 
Jeremy though not expecting to be became one of the first ``soldiers'' 
in this crusade. I will forever remember and honor Jeremy as a true 
American superhero.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this measure.
  God bless Jeremy Glick and God bless America.

                          ____________________