[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13531]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  REFLECTIONS ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST 
                      ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the morning of September 11, 2001 is still 
vivid in my mind--it was the start of a beautiful day in Washington. 
The shock and horror that ensued that morning in New York City, in a 
Pennsylvania field, and at the Pentagon is embedded in me. It is a 
permanent element of the American psyche, and it fills us all with 
emotions, especially fear, anger, grief, and sadness.
  Nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11 were lost that day. The loved ones they 
left behind have spent ten years adapting to lives without husbands, 
mothers, brothers, and daughters. Even after ten years the loss must 
still be painful and difficult.
  As a nation, we still feel the loss, the very sad sense of tragedy 
and hurt that touched us all. For all of us, September 11, 2001 remains 
a day that changed us and changed our country's future.
  Our nation is strong. We as a people are far more powerful, 
resilient, and righteous than the perpetrators of the attack. The 
lessons of 9/11 continue to be studied, debated, interpreted, and acted 
on--to our collective benefit and, in some cases, to our detriment. But 
after ten long, difficult years since that beautiful morning, the most 
important lesson I can draw upon is the profound blessing I feel to be 
an American and to share this country, our values, and our freedoms 
with my fellow citizens.
  We are one nation, one people and the painful, horrific tragedy of 9/
11 shall always be a reminder of what it means to be an American 
standing together, united with my fellow citizens.
  On this tenth anniversary, my thoughts, prayers, and profound sense 
of gratitude are with the victims of this attack, the men and women who 
have sacrificed their lives and bodies to keep our nation safe, and the 
family members who grieve for loved ones lost on September 11th and the 
many days since in which our fellow citizens have sacrificed for our 
nation.

                          ____________________