[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19660-19661]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2002

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, on September 11 I joined with the students, 
teachers, administrators and parents of the Idle Hour Elementary School 
in Oakdale for a profound commemoration of those lost in the attacks on 
America. I know that our colleagues will be as moved as I was to hear 
the essays of three sixth graders: Emily Pertz, Justin Rigas and April 
LaValle. I am honored to share them with the entire Congress today:

                              September 11

                            (By Emily Pertz)

       September 11 was a painful and tragic event. It changed the 
     lives of millions forever.
       I don't know anybody who died in my family because of the 
     attack, but knowing that a lot of kids became parentless that 
     day is enough to make my family and I upset. Whenever we go 
     over the bridge I see many buildings and then a big gap where 
     the towers once stood. To me it is very upsetting to see. My 
     family is more cautious than ever.
       I think the attacks have changed both our country and our 
     world. The United States became more united. The world 
     together is fighting terrorism. But on the other hand, many 
     people lost loved ones, and the world's tallest towers were 
     destroyed. Many people are still mourning and are still 
     heartbroken.
       Our school has done many great things to remember the 
     victims. We raised a lot of money to plant a memorial garden 
     to honor the lives lost from our neighborhood. We made red, 
     white and blue chains that connected every classroom to show 
     we are united. Each student colored in two flags, one to take 
     home and one to hang up in school. The day after the attack 
     our school had a moment of silence. It really made me think 
     and made me a little depressed.
       The United States went through a lot, but no matter what we 
     will always be united.
                                  ____


                            America Changes

                           (By Justin Rigas)

       The terrorist attack made by Osama Bin Ladin and the 
     Taliban on the Twin Towers, landmarks of our New York City 
     Skyline, was a great tragedy. Thousands of innocent people 
     died terribly as the buildings melted and crumbled to the 
     ground. Children are left without their mothers and fathers, 
     families without sisters, brothers, dear friends. Families 
     are left without jobs, without their income, possibly unable 
     to pay their bills and keep their house.
       But America has stood together strong. In this moment of 
     sadness and tragedy millions have come together with help and 
     support. People all over our country, not just New York have 
     sent donations of food, money and clothing to help those 
     families that have lost those dear to them.
       The events of September 11, 2001 have changed the attitudes 
     of my family as well as millions of Americans. We all miss 
     those we know and loved that are gone. The Americans 
     innocence may never again be the same, not able to totally 
     trust the safety we've somehow always felt. Many people 
     hesitate to travel on airplanes which means less people are 
     visiting places where the people there count on them to spend 
     their money. It could hurt business in hotels, restaurants 
     and stores.
       We always need to be on guard that something terrible could 
     happen again. Our government cannot sleep, it must always be 
     searching for the next thing to happen.
       During the months following September 11, my school painted 
     pictures of the Twin Towers and memories of that day. We made 
     a tree of buttons representing the people that died that day 
     on the wall in our hallway. Collections of food and money 
     were presented to the Red Cross and a garden in the form of 
     our flag was planted at school.
       At Dowling College, a memorial Garden was planted to be 
     kept forever funded by a dinner our school held.
       People everywhere still fly their American flags at their 
     homes and, in their cars.
       In the meantime we will rebuild our city and the towers 
     that will again stand, this time as a huge memoriam of 9-11 
     and those lost. The day that changed America.
                                  ____


                           September 11, 2001

                           (By April Lavalle)

       9-11 was a day of mixed emotions, sadness, anger and 
     determination. Even though many innocent people were killed, 
     never will the people of America stop the deeds, kind 
     donations and prayers for all who have passed away. Some 
     people were lucky not to know anyone who was in the Twin 
     Towers. But I knew my personal life would never be the same. 
     I took so many things for granted.
       I now think about the desperate families of the innocent 
     people who have died. Even though people try to do all they 
     can to make families who lost loved ones feel better, nothing 
     can serve as compensation for those who left us on September 
     11th. America now has to prove to the world that we are a 
     strong nation and will fight for what we need. The world is 
     no longer a peaceful place for us and no longer united. A 
     gray sky will stay in our minds until we find peace and our 
     sun will again shine through.
       Our community hung flags, made donations and I bet you that 
     everyone prayed. We are a proud and patriotic nation. Don't 
     think 9-11 made us a weaker country; it made us a stronger 
     America.


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