[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2003

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
remember the men and women from Connecticut and throughout the nation 
who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
  I know that many people throughout my district and state are taking 
time today to remember those who died that day two years ago, as well 
as the families and friends that they left behind. No matter how much 
time passes from that day forward, the ache that we as a nation felt in 
our hearts will never fade. The sorrow and grief we felt on behalf of 
the country and our fellow Americans is unwavering, as is our sense of 
outrage at the despicable acts and the vicious few who perpetrated them 
on peaceful, innocent people.
  As we recall the tragedy of that horrible day, I hope that in 
addition to remembering the pain, sadness and anger that this brutal 
act of terrorism caused in our nation, we also take time to remember 
the brave, selfless men and women who desperately worked to save 
others, both in the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93. 
Let us remember the fire fighters, police officers, emergency medical 
responders and others that unflinchingly confronted terror and chaos. 
There were many heroes that day, and many of them are no longer with 
us.
  We should take time on each anniversary of September 11, 2001 to 
honor the dead, their families and those that continue to serve on the 
nation's front lines of defense against acts of terrorism and 
disasters.
  Let us also be grateful: Grateful for our lives, our freedom and our 
Democracy--the foundation that this nation is built on. Terrorists 
throughout the world, much like those who committed those terrible acts 
two years ago, would most like to take from us these things we so 
value. We must remain defiant in the face of danger and adversity and 
take every measure to ensure that in our efforts to be secure, we do 
not deprive ourselves of our greatest strength: our liberty. As we 
continue to safeguard our communities and our borders, we must also 
safeguard the rights and freedoms that make this nation what it is. To 
do otherwise would be a disservice to the memory of September 11.
  May we never forget those who died or the members of the United 
States Armed Forces who have given their lives since that day. In their 
memory, we must work to protect our homeland and our liberty, defeat 
terrorism, and build lasting peace throughout the world. God bless 
those who lost their lives two years ago, and God bless America.

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