[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13581-13582]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            REMEMBERING 9/11

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Yoder) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, 11 years ago today, Americans found 
themselves under attack. We watched with shock and horror as hijacked 
passenger airplanes were flown both into the World Trade Center towers 
and the Pentagon. We all remember what we were doing that Tuesday 
morning when 2,996 innocent Americans were killed in those tragic and 
unthinkable acts. We also remember the heroic actions of the passengers 
aboard United Flight 93, who courageously fought the hijackers on their 
plane and, sacrificing their own lives, ultimately saved countless 
others. Courage and bravery have long been traits demonstrated by our 
fellow Americans, from declaring our country's independence to fighting 
alongside our allies abroad in the name of freedom and liberty. 
Americans, though, are also resilient. We band together, we pick each 
other up when we're knocked down, and we endure.
  In Kansas, we are extremely proud of the men and women in our 
military that serve our country and defend our freedom and liberty 
around the globe. Their willingness to pay the ultimate sacrifice for 
their country--their true heroism--is known firsthand only to a small 
number, but is yet, sadly, far, far too common.
  The 3rd District of Kansas lost two such heroes this summer as a 
result of combat operations in Afghanistan. Army Sergeant Mike Knapp 
was deployed out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord out of Washington State. 
He was killed in mid-May while bravely serving his country, only 3 days 
before he was scheduled to return home to Overland Park, Kansas.

[[Page 13582]]

  Also, Private First Class Cale Miller, deployed out of Joint Base 
Lewis-McChord, lost his life in early June when an improvised explosive 
device detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2007 graduate of Olathe 
Northwest, where he was a member of both the football and track teams. 
It breaks my heart each and every time I learn the news of a soldier 
who has lost his life so our country can continue to live in freedom.
  As we remember this day, the 11th anniversary of September 11, Mr. 
Speaker, we remember it by honoring all those innocent lives lost on 
that tragic day. We also remember the first responders, the 
firefighters, and the policemen who charged the burning buildings to 
save lives, ultimately giving up their own in the process.

                              {time}  1030

  Let us also recall the steely resolve of American patriotism and 
unity as our country courageously responded against the terrorists 
responsible for this tragedy.
  On this day, let us also honor and support all veterans who have 
served our country. We pay tribute to those fellow Americans who serve 
in our military, protecting us and ensuring acts, such as those of 11 
years ago, never happen again. Our message of thanks is one that cannot 
be spoken strongly enough. To those who serve, those who lose their 
lives defending our country, and the families and friends who support 
them, we are eternally grateful.

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