[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13316-13317]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            REMEMBERING 9/11

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, yesterday marked 10 years since the 
horrendous attack of Americans on American soil, but it led to a lot of 
patriotism and a lot of flags being displayed all over the country.
  Over the weekend, I noticed my 3-year-old granddaughter and my 4-
year-old granddaughter, when they saw a flag hanging anywhere, said 
``God bless America.''
  Throughout the history of the United States, each generation has had 
at least one iconic moment, one moment in time that served to galvanize 
the Nation and call each and every American to take on a cause much 
greater than themselves. Ultimately, the results they were able to 
achieve served to define who they were as a generation and what they 
were capable of, both as individuals and as a nation.
  For my father, that moment was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As we 
watched with growing concern, a terrible evil had taken the whole world 
to the brink of war. We found we no longer had a choice as to whether 
we would get involved. We were forced to take action and bring our 
military might to bear against an enemy that had set its sights on 
world domination.
  As soon as the call went out, brave men and women from all across the 
country volunteered to serve in our military and to take up arms to 
defend the rights and liberties we cherish as Americans. They soon 
proved to be worthy of the task as we once again showed that ours was 
the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. Thanks to them, 
the tyranny and oppression that threatened to overwhelm Europe was 
halted and peace and freedom was once again restored to a war-weary 
world.
  Returning home from the battlefields on which they had served with 
distinction, our service men and women took up another great challenge 
and that was to rebuild our Nation and to restore its greatness. Their 
commitment and dedication to that great mission helped to make the 
United States what it is today. Thanks to them, their sons and 
daughters received the greatest gift they could possibly receive, our 
American way of life. Their actions made it clear that the American 
dream belongs to everyone, and it can come true, if we are willing to 
do whatever is necessary to make it happen.
  For me and my generation, our iconic moment came with the news that 
the Soviet Union had launched Sputnik into space. In that brief moment 
in time, we were once again filled with that same determination as we 
realized we were in second place in the race for space and in other 
things. That would never be acceptable or accepted.
  In the days after that startling announcement, people of all ages 
found themselves looking to the skies, wondering if we could answer 
this daunting challenge. Our curiosity and our ingenuity would again be 
put to the test as

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we all tried to help in the effort to bring about that ``one giant step 
for mankind'' that wasn't to come for several more years.
  My friends and I in junior high banded together--although we were all 
very young--to help. We wanted to learn all we could about rockets so 
we could become rocketeers or at least we tried our best to be worthy 
of the title. Once again, we had a difficult goal to reach for, and we 
were proud to think of ourselves as part of that call to action.
  Of course, President John F. Kennedy then issued the challenge to the 
Nation that we would send a man to the Moon and return him safely to 
Earth. It sounded impossible, but with American know-how we were able 
to develop and put into action a plan that made it happen.
  When the time came, the world watched with wonder and amazement as 
Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the Moon and proved once again 
that whatever goals we set, we always seem to find the tools and talent 
we need to get the job done.
  For my children, their generation's iconic moment came on September 
11, when we were once again cruelly attacked by terrorists who had 
hijacked several planes and used them to destroy the World Trade Center 
and part of the Pentagon. It was a moment in time that everyone will 
long remember for the impact that day and the events surrounding it had 
on the world and our lives, an impact that continues to be felt.
  Even though it was 10 years ago, for almost all of us, the images of 
September 11 are still fresh in our minds. We can remember where we 
were when we first heard the news that our Nation was under attack. We 
can remember how we felt as we watched the Twin Towers fall and the 
sense of loss as the harsh reality of all the lives that were lost that 
day became all too real.
  There are many lessons learned as we watched the rescue crews, along 
with our police and firemen, attempt to save as many as they could from 
the building and then from the wreckage. It was a harsh reminder of how 
delicate and precious our lives are and how the gift can be taken from 
us at a moment's notice.
  Yet out of all that was lost, there was the birth of something even 
greater, something more powerful and enduring. It was the sense of 
community, this sense of country that bound us together as one Nation, 
as one American. We stood side by side with our neighbors, our 
families, and even complete strangers, looking out for one another and 
helping those in need.
  Terrorists thought we were a weak nation that would crumble in the 
face of violence. Those who wanted to hurt us sent a clear message. Yet 
we sent another. American flags sprung up in every yard, flew from 
every building, and even hung from our overpasses. The powerfully 
simple message of the Stars and Stripes was our message: We are America 
and we stand together.
  Like those moments before, the morning light the next day brought 
with it the firm resolve that we would, once again, come together as 
one to address that attack. Political differences would no longer 
separate us. Concern for our shared future was so strong it would unite 
us to face this threat to our well-being. Together, we resolved we 
would do everything we could to ensure that terrorism would never again 
take such a terrible toll from our Nation or any other nation.
  I remember during that time being at events where ambassadors from 
around the world offered an outpouring of sympathy and comfort for our 
grieving Nation. I was touched by their sympathy and care for America. 
I was also pleased so many countries helped us to follow the money 
trails which led to the arrest and prosecution of countless terrorists.
  In the years since that terrible day, justice has also been delivered 
by our brave service men and women who have once again answered the 
call to duty and taken up arms to rid the world of the network of 
terror wherever it is found. Thanks to their efforts, nations that had 
never known freedom before now dare to dream of a better tomorrow for 
themselves and for their children. People who had lived in fear under 
the tyranny of oppression will now have a say in their shared future as 
citizens of the world. Those who had known nothing but anguish and 
despair now have a reason to hope for a better life. The Middle East is 
still in turmoil as the people reach for freedom and individual 
prosperity.
  C.S. Lewis once said:

       God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our 
     conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to 
     rouse a deaf world.

  I think it is clear that the pain we felt that day was sufficient to 
rouse us to all the action as it opened our hearts and our minds to God 
and each other.
  In the days to come, the memories of all we witnessed on September 11 
will stay with us and serve as a constant reminder that freedom isn't 
free. It often comes to us at all too great a cost. In that spirit we 
will never forget those who lost their lives that day, their loved ones 
and all who knew them and called them their friends. For this 
generation and those who follow, their memory will continue to inspire 
us to be ever vigilant and constantly on guard at the gates of freedom 
to ensure that this ``one nation, under God, indivisible'' will 
continue to be the home of ``liberty and justice for all,'' for 
ourselves, for our children, and for many generations to come.
  Let's remember September 11 and the feelings we had for our country 
and each other. May we rekindle the sense of community, country, and 
world we felt then. May lasting good come out of chaos.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Blumenthal). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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