[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21810-21811]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                             TRAGIC TUESDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a poem written by an 
extremely talented individual, Miss Kira Schiavello of Saddle River, 
NJ. Kira lives in my district which was particularly hard hit by the 
World Trade Center disaster. The loss of life and strain on our 
community has been difficult, to say the least. However, we are finding 
a new strength in the Fifth District of New Jersey. Kira Schiavello has 
captured the experience of September 11 and the resulting challenges in 
a moving poem entitled ``Tragic Tuesday.'' Kira displayed an eloquence 
and insight beyond her young years as she not only depicted this 
terrible tragedy but also expressed the emotional and soul searching 
reactions of Americans. I would like to take this opportunity to share 
her poem with my colleagues. As we work to protect her generation's 
future, let us be inspired by the true patriotism and strength that 
they now show.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following poem by Kira Schiavello be 
submitted to the Congressional Record.

                             Tragic Tuesday

     On September 11, 2001,
     America was under attack.
     There was an empty gap in NYC,
     And the skies above were black.

     First, the North twin tower was hit
     By a hi-jacked, passenger jet.
     The sight of the explosion in the sky,
     Americans will never forget.

     Then, to the world's shock and disbelief,
     The South Tower was crashed into.

[[Page 21811]]

     Those close by just ran and screamed;
     It was like nothing they had been through.

     As if nothing else could ever go wrong,
     Two more planes were seized!
     They hit Pennsylvania and The Pentagon,
     Until finally the terrorists were pleased.

     But the damage to the US was not done,
     For the Twin Towers dropped to the ground.
     Blinding dust filled up the air;
     And the world shook with the trembling sound,

     Under the ruble, five stories high,
     Are brothers, sisters, dads and moms.
     Their innocent lives are gone forever;
     Because of the terrorists' flying bombs.

     America has never seen a tragedy
     As devastating as this.
     It will continue to affect our everyday lives,
     For as long as we exist.

     The faceless criminals were looking to ruin
     Our happiness, our liberty, and our spirit.
     But surely they were stunned to find;
     That they came nowhere near it.

     If those evil cowards were here today;
     They'd see people sob and cry.
     But behind those tears, they'd surely find,
     Our flag still flying high.

     In the face of this tragic Tuesday;
     America did unite.
     And those who tried to hurt our pride;
     America will fight.

     We'll join as one and win the war,
     Till our strength is doubted no longer.
     If anything, this tragedy
     Will only make us stronger.

     

                          ____________________