[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21835]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

  (Mr. BLUNT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, we come here today to remember the tragedy of 
2 years ago and remember the changes that it has made in our country.
  Two years ago this morning, early in the morning, a beautiful day, 
much like today, we were at the end of a fairly long period of time in 
this country when there was a sense that there really was no role that 
only the Federal Government could perform, that many things that were 
done could be done at better places. By noon on this day 2 years ago, 
there was an understanding that there were some jobs that had to be 
done on behalf of all of us, from those of us who had the 
responsibility to work here in the Nation's Capitol. America was 
changed that day.
  I am pleased that the Congress has responded in the way it has, to 
quickly act in the environment that the founders did not intend to be 
quick, to even on that week 2 years ago respond and still today to have 
the ongoing concerns of establishing a new department, of facing our 
enemies in the world, of reaching out and putting our arms around those 
who suffered the tragedies of September 11.
  Certainly, that was a moment that changed America, a moment that 
changed this Congress, and it was a moment that changed the world. That 
was a moment that we recognize not just in silence but we recognize 
today in our activities all over the globe, at home and abroad to 
ensure that the enemies of freedom never prevail, and those who love 
freedom always know that they have strong friends in the United States 
of America and that we intend to be the symbol for freedom and free 
people everywhere.

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