[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13421]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  9/11

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Yoho) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, today, on September 11, I want to take a 
moment to reflect on that fateful event on the day of 2001 at the World 
Trade Center, the Pentagon, the fields of Pennsylvania, and again in 
Benghazi in 2012, and ask that we always remember the resilience and 
strength of the greatest Nation on Earth.
  Mr. Speaker, there are moments in time when we cease to be 
Republicans and Democrats; politics and punditry melt away, divisions 
close and differences fade. We come together as Americans, regardless 
of race, creed, or religion. September 11, 2001, and again in 2012 were 
and will always be such occasions.
  On those days, our Nation came together. That is what makes our 
Nation great and unique. Not only do we come together to celebrate in 
triumph, but we stand together in tragedy.

                              {time}  1030

  It is in the face of adversity when our resilience is truly tested, 
and as Americans, time and time again, throughout history, we have 
passed that test.
  Throughout the course of those days heroes ran into buildings and 
stormed a cockpit, went into burning embassies. They donated blood when 
it was needed and the clothes off their back.
  That, Mr. Speaker, is the true America. Not partisan gridlock, not 
tension-building punditry, not games of ``gotcha'' or smoke-and-mirrors 
legislation.
  The rallying cry of that day was simple in phrase but monumental in 
meaning: ``U-S-A.''
  Country was first. Everything else was second.
  As we tackle the monumental challenges that lie ahead, I ask my 
colleagues to remember the spirit of that day; to do what is right for 
America, not for one party over another.
  The heroes of that day did what they did not because of any political 
party but because it was simply the right thing to do. It was the 
American thing to do.
  Americans, regardless of who they voted for, feel the consequences of 
our decisions each and every day. Today, of all days, let us all 
remember to put our country first and act as true representatives for 
the will of all the people.

                          ____________________