[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SEPTEMBER 11TH COMMEMORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2003

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of the thousands 
of brave men and women lost on September 11th, the lives of the 
thousands more who survived, and the strength and love shown by the 
families, friends, loved ones, and communities left behind on that 
shocking, terrible day.
  It's hard to believe that it was 2 years ago. It feels like 
yesterday, in some ways, that we sat transfixed before CNN, unable to 
believe that the World Trade Center was gone, the Pentagon burned, and 
that somehow a plane of courageous passengers over Pennsylvania had 
managed to turn the table on their hijackers. The losses still ache. It 
was only last week that the last firefighting family in New York City 
laid their son to rest.
  In other ways, it feels like forever. Our sense of this world has 
changed, our duties have increased, and our vulnerabilities remain. As 
a Member of Congress, I feel a special and urgent responsibility to 
make sure we have better intelligence, more resources, and effective 
response plans in place. But I am optimistic. I have faith in America.
  In my area, many of us know someone who was lost. But you didn't have 
to know someone to feel it. America's heart was broken that day, and in 
some ways we will never be the same. But, in an important way, America 
will never change.
  The terrorists wanted, and still want, to break America's spirit. But 
that hasn't happened. Our shock has faded, and we've accepted a stark 
reality: we can never let down our guard in the fight against 
terrorism. Communities have drawn closer and grown stronger over the 
past 2 years; neighbors take the time to meet and thank fire fighters 
and police officers; people wait patiently in long airport screening 
lines; and parents stock up on bottled water and canned food.
  America is the land of the free; it's the home of the brave. We're 
fighters--just look at our men and women in uniform, who are just 
outstanding--and we're survivors. Our Nation is united as we continue 
to strengthen our security, protect our people, and pursue those 
responsible for the attacks.
  We've shown that we won't allow terrorists to destroy the values that 
make America great--we will protect and defend liberty, tolerance and 
democracy. There's no better national tribute to those who were lost 
than that.

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