[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13400-13401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2011

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, we as a Nation commemorated 
the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Like 
all Americans, I spent a great deal of time thinking about where I was 
on that sunny Tuesday ten years ago. I was sitting in my office at the 
Rules Committee on the third floor of the Capitol when the first plane 
hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. I remained there until 
10:30 a.m., when a full evacuation of the Capitol was imposed.
  During that time prior to the evacuation, I watched the news coverage 
of the planes that hit the south tower of the WTC and the Pentagon. I 
later heard the news of Flight 93, which crashed in a field near 
Shanksville, PA. Knowing what we know now of the hijackers' intentions, 
this treasured building and the lives of all of us who were here that 
morning were preserved because of the heroics of the passengers of 
Flight 93.
  I had the privilege of spending last Saturday in Shanksville with the 
families of those brave men and women. It was their loved ones' 
sacrifice that saved the lives of so many here in the Capitol that day. 
They also saved what has become the world's most recognizable symbol of 
democracy. I cannot think about that tragic day without thinking of the 
words inscribed on walls of the Capitol, just above the door to the 
Sergeant at Arms' office: ``We have built no temple but the Capitol; we 
consult no common oracle but the Constitution.''
  It was my belief that this hallowed structure was as untouchable as 
the democracy it represents that led me to remain here, even as planes 
crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that day. Last 
week, a reporter questioned me, somewhat incredulously, as to how I 
could have been so naive as to remain in my office that morning. I 
replied that we were all naive that day. We learned in the most painful 
and tragic way possible that we were not untouchable; but we also 
learned, and have been continually reminded ever since, that as long as 
brave men and women are willing to fight for this country, we will 
continue to endure.
  With this truth in mind, I submit for the Record the following poem 
written by Albert Caswell, who was also here in this building that 
morning ten years ago.

 Lives in the Distance--in Memory and in Honor to the Heroes of Flight 
                93 on This the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

     Lives In The Distance . . .

     Lives . . .
     In The Distance . . .
     While, traveling the miles . . .
     From down here on earth, rising up through the clouds . . .
     reaching Heaven in style!
     As a non stop flight, with its destination in sight . . .
     as up towards Heaven, arrives . . .
     with such fine heroes the while . . .
     For no one so here, upon this our Mother Earth . . .
     Throughout all of the miles, has no day so promised, until 
           death . . . from conception to birth!
     As each new day, is but a fine gift . . . as one to be ever 
           so lived . . .
     while, taking stock in its true worth . . .
     For no man or woman, nor even a child . . . may so know of 
           this,
     his or hers one last final moments here upon Earth!
     As on a bright beautiful fall morn . . .
     As all of those magnificent heroes, of flight 93 were so to 
           our nation to be born!
     As now stands alone, with the greatest of all American heroes 
           they own . . .
     As their titles now worn . . .
     For their great gift of life, for their most gravest of all 
           sacrifice . . .
     while, Saving Lives In The Distance . . . forever lives on!
     For as long as Mankind . . . For as since the very beginning 
           of time,
     as one so surely finds . . .
     As a struggle which spans, of Good 
           vs Evil . . .
     as our Lord's chosen people, who have so fought the darkest 
           of all evils . . .
     Just like Angels on earth . . . while, all showing their 
           worth . . . as these most hallowed of heroes,
     were all so to find the courage!

     While, up on a plane . . . in the face of the darkest of all 
           evils,
     our Lord's chosen people upon flight 93 together so came . . 
           .
     For when it was time, and innocent life so lay on the line . 
           . .
     these most brilliant heroes so cried, ``let's roll'' . . . as 
           the light so remained!
     All in a few defining moments of truth, these brave hearts 
           gave to all such 
           the proof . . .
     as why now we so ever honor their names!
     For once they heard the news, To Save Precious Lives In The 
           Distance . . .
     was but their most sacred of all gifts they so to choose!
     As one heroic band of sisters and brothers were so to stand, 
           as like 
           none others . . .
     together enjoined, as they were not to lose!
     As our Lord had stepped in, slowing the plane . . . as his 
           Angels on earth,
     could buy that most precious time that they so needed to use!
     As they said their final hellos, and those most poignant last 
           tearful goodbyes!
     While, talking to their loved ones on their phones . . .
     as upon their most magnificent faces, their tear drops now 
           lie!
     While, summing up all of their courage . . .
     as their finest of souls were not so to be discouraged, as 
           all so stood ready to die!
     For there is no greater gift, nor a more so sacred offering 
           as all of this . . .
     than one's life! Moving forth, with our Lord at their sides!
     Now, as I look up at our nation's dome on each new coming day 
           . . .
     As there in that moment, as out upon my way . . .
     as I stop to reflect, as I find the time 
           to pray . . . 
     For it was me who so stood on that rotunda floor, when on 
           that fateful 
           morning . . . 
     sure death but lay, only miles away!
     All because of them, my sweet daughter Jennifer still has her 
           best friend . . . 
     What greater gift, but than my life they so saved?
     In life, heroes come in all shapes 
           and sizes . . . 
     But, it's what lies deep down within one's heart as where 
           their great courage rises!
     Armed with but just their undaunted courage and faith, as 
           these brave hearts were so not to be denied!
     As I ask you now, how can any woman or man . . .  in the 
           midst of such evil so stand?
     Could we, such the courage realize?
     In this our most precious land of the free!
     These brave heroes on this morning so shone so brilliantly, 
           as forever etched in their great legacies!
     As these selfless souls, so sacrificed . . .  doing what was 
           so right!
     For Lives In The Distance, their own fine lives did so 
           concede!
     And still on this day, their fine lessons 
           of life . . . 
     I shall never forget! Remembering them, on my knees as I 
           pray.
     And to all of those brokenhearted families, on this your 
           saddest of days . . . 
     To the husbands, wives, sons, daughters, mothers and father's 
           alive . . . 
     who now must so live without and so cry!
     To the ones, who now live with such holes in their hearts . . 
           . 
     as your anguish and pain, so forevermore so mounts!

     As we pray on this day, asking our Lord to bring peace on 
           your way . . . 
     knowing what your loved ones were so all about!
     Not to witness another sunrise . . . 
     not to watch your child grow up to be old and wise,
     or wake in the morn to see the joys of life comprised!
     Or grow old with your loved ones at your side,
     as throughout the years arriving at the true meaning of where 
           life so lies . . . 
     As all of this is gone, as your heartache lives on . . . 
     while, into a future your faith shall be repaid in our Lord's 
           eyes . . . 
     And when your child so asks you why?
     With your arms all around them, wiping their tears from their 
           eyes . . . 
     Tell them all about their most magnificent Moms and Dads . . 
           . 
     Aunts, Uncles, Brothers and Sisters who will never die!

[[Page 13401]]

     Tell them all about their most incredible faith, and about 
           their greatest of all gifts . . . 
     Saving Lives In The Distance, so others may rise!
     In Washington . . . . because of them,
     The greatest symbol of democracy still shines . . . 
     even brighter in the midday sun which now lies!
     All because of their most sacred sacrifice . . .  as flight 
           93,
     brought us our first victory in this tragic war against 
           terrorism to be won!
     Now, high atop our Capitol this very day,
     The Statue of Freedom sheds a tear . . . 
     for all of those who did what must so be done!

     A Life Saved In The Distance . . .  What a most precious gift 
           this is!
     As in the coming years, maybe we shall all so witness!
     Perhaps a Rembrandt, or a Dr. King . . . 
     or even perhaps a woman who might so save the world from all 
           of this is!
     Only time can tell, for only our Lord knows so very well . . 
           . 
     for our futures do not occur by circumstance!
     Never forget this!
     As out in the distance we find . . . 
     are all of those most precious moments in time, as before us 
           defined!
     As Good so faced Evil, as the most selfless of all people . . 
           . 
     as our Lord's Angels on earth, were so to shine!
     While, Saving Lives In The Distance . . . 
     as upon our Lord's face his tears drops so lie . . . 
     watching his new Angels in Heaven arrive!

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