[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18969]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO JACQUELYN C.C. MENDIOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring attention to an 
exceptional young woman named Jacquelyn C.C. Mendiola. Jacquelyn, a 16-
year-old junior attending George Washington High School in Mangilao, 
Guam, enjoys music, reading, writing and playing basketball. I bring 
special attention to her today because of a passionate poem she wrote 
regarding the September 11 attacks on our nation. Jacquelyn happened to 
be home sick that day and watched the World Trade Center events in New 
York on the TV news headlines. Her inspiration came from repeatedly 
watching the families of victims through CNN news. Her emotions and 
creativity is reflected in her heart-felt poem which I submit for the 
Record along with her story in her own words.

       I stayed home sick from school. When I awoke, I found my 
     mom tuned into CNN. At first, I couldn't believe what was 
     happening. It was like a movie. The twin towers were on fire 
     and came crashing down. The people running on the streets 
     trying desperately to get away. I was then glued to the 
     television and the news reports CNN gave were unbelievable. 
     They did an interview on relatives of those victimized by the 
     attacks. Looking at their faces and seeing the pain in their 
     eyes was overwhelming for me. It broke my heart because I 
     realized that something traumatic can happen to anyone so 
     unexpectedly. They didn't know they were going to die that 
     day. No one suspected they would lose their loved ones. Then 
     I heard about the lost firemen, those who went into save 
     lives and ended up losing their own. When my mom and dad left 
     for work, and my brother and sister were at school, I had a 
     lot of time to myself and I couldn't help but reflect on what 
     was happening. I knew people would be asking, ``Why'' or 
     ``Where is God when you need Him?'' or they would be pointing 
     fingers looking for someone to blame. I can't blame them for 
     being angry because this is terribly disappointing. However, 
     I was thinking that if we continue to seethe with anger 
     instead of uniting to help one another, the situation will be 
     worse than it already is. It's so sad. We need support more 
     than ever, but most of all, I feel we need a God whose power 
     is much more great than the amount of evil in our world. It's 
     harder to trust now and it's hard to maintain hope. We need a 
     strength that defeats our own. With all this on my mind, I 
     wrote it down, and I choose to express myself by writing a 
     poem about a day we shall never forget.

                            Take Your Seats

     Passengers take their seats
     On a flight to a set destination,
     Not knowing that on this day
     They will cry out with desperation.

     Employees take their seats
     In offices stories high,
     Not knowing that in this city
     Many of them will die.

     New York's usual rhythm stopped
     When loud explosion came.
     It took our nation by surprise
     On this long tragic day.

     Firefighters and police
     Rush to save their lives.
     Courageous heroes trapped within
     Feared to have not survived.

     Faces and dreams wiped away,
     The very thought makes me cry.
     To know these victims cried in anguish,
     Tears falling from their eyes.

     Father why did this happen?
     Your children have been killed.
     Friends and families mourn their deaths.
     There is a great void to fill.

     A freedom-loving nation torn
     United we must stand.
     Help us to be strong, I pray
     Shelter us with Your hand.

     Have mercy on these victims God,
     Whose lives came to a sudden stop.
     Grant comfort to their loved ones
     And be their unshaken rock.

     How can this world have so much hate?
     Although I've been there too.
     Teach us to love instead of hate
     Help us to be like You.

     Passengers take their seats
     On a flight to a set destination.
     Not knowing that on this day,
     Their flight will lead to Heaven.

     

                          ____________________