[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21836]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING THE FALLEN

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard so often this morning, 
this is a special day, and it is appropriate for us to take the time to 
honor the fallen and acknowledge our gratitude to our first responders 
and to our brave men and women who are serving here in this country and 
half a world away.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is also appropriate to take a moment to honor 
those who were here and served in this House 2 years ago. Mr. Speaker, 
as you have pointed out, this building, this House, was, in fact, one 
of the purported targets of the terrorists that morning, terror that 
was prevented by the actions of passengers high above the Pennsylvania 
countryside. Like millions of Americans, I began that day narrowly 
focused on my own personal concerns, and like millions of Americans, I 
ended that day watching Members of this House singing God bless America 
on the Capitol steps at sunset.
  On that day, I did not know that my path would lead me here. But I 
remember the peace that was brought to me and my family by the visible 
cohesiveness of this body.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for that day and I thank you for this day as 
well.

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