[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14514-14515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         MOURNING 9/11 VICTIMS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe there is one American 
that will forget where they were on
9/11, that crisp morning with the bright sun shining. I was here in the 
United States Capitol when the unimaginable occurred. We could not have 
fathomed that the homeland would be attacked.
  I rise today to acknowledge the brave men and women who risked their 
lives and those that lost their lives, along with the families that 
still mourn. It is particularly important, now that we are in the 
backdrop of another terrorist act and another President has to rise to 
defend America. This Congress must also do so.
  But we must recognize, as well, that peace is an important value that 
Americans love. We are peace-loving. We must do that in the name of 
those who

[[Page 14515]]

lost their lives on United Airlines Flight 93, American Airlines Flight 
77, American Airlines Flight 11, and United Airlines 175.
  We must recognize that we were unsuspecting of this disaster. 
Therefore, our pledge to those who still mourn--those who have lost 
their father, mother, husband, wife, child, or friend--as we debate 
these serious times is we are reminded that there must be no one that 
terrorizes us and causes us to do the wrong thing.
  Whether we are Republicans or Democrats, I ask that on this day we 
hold a moment of personal silence, one that will reflect our love for 
those who were lost. Then, to take the words of George W. Bush, the 
President at that time:

       Whether terrorists are brought to justice or justice is 
     brought to the terrorists, justice will be done.

  A firm hand, yes; but we must be reminded of the humanitarian aspect 
of this and realize that, as we stand with the President and debate our 
further steps, we honor those who are in mourning. Let's remember 9/11 
as a tribute to the Americans who sacrificed their lives.
  I mourn this day.
  Mr. Speaker, on this, the 13th anniversary of the attack launched 
against the United States on September 11, 2001, I rise to remember the 
victims of that horrific tragedy and those first-responders who risked, 
and in too many cases, sacrificed their lives to rescue the occupants 
of the besieged World Trade Center Towers.
  The morning of September 11, 2001 is, and will always be, a day like 
no other. It is a day all living Americans will remember because not 
since Pearl Harbor had there been such a dastardly and deadly attack on 
American soil.
  As I stand here today, my heart still grieves for those who perished 
on flights United Airlines 93, American Airlines 77, American Airlines 
11, and United Airlines 175.
  When the sun rose on the morning of September 11, none of us knew 
that it would end in an inferno in the magnificent World Trade Center 
Towers in New York City and the Pentagon and in the grassy fields of 
Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I stand here remembering those who still 
suffer, whose hearts still ache over the loss of so many innocent and 
interrupted lives.
  My prayer is that for those who lost a father, a mother, a husband, a 
wife, a child, or a friend will in the days and years ahead take 
comfort in the certain knowledge that they have gone on to claim the 
greatest prize, a place in the Lord's loving arms. And down here on the 
ground, their memory will never die so long as any of the many of us 
who loved them lives.
  Mr. Speaker, as hard as it is to believe, out of a tragedy so 
overwhelming and horrific, something good and great emerged in the 
aftermath of September 11. On that day there were no Republicans or 
Democrats. There were no Northerners or Southerners or West or East 
Coasters. We were not Red State or Blue State. We were all simply 
Americans.
  On that day, we were united in our shock and anger and sadness. We 
were united in our resolve to defend our country and protect the 
freedoms that has made America the greatest country in the history of 
the world.
  We lit candles, held hands, helped neighbors, and prayed for our 
country and its leaders. A united America can never be defeated as 
Operation Enduring Freedom showed.
  The brave and valiant armed forces of the United States swiftly 
toppled the Taliban and liberated Afghanistan.
  As President George W. Bush announced to the American people and to 
the world: ``Whether the terrorists are brought to justice or justice 
is brought to the terrorists, justice will be done.''
  And though he ran and hid for almost ten years, Osama bin Ladin could 
not hide forever and evade the long arm of American justice, which, 
under the leadership of President Barack Obama, caught up with him on 
May 2, 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, Americans take care of their own. Americans cherish 
freedom. Americans cherish liberty. And Americans want peace. Not just 
for themselves alone, but all persons in every corner of the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, ensuring that America is safe and secure and protected 
from another attack on American soil is the least we owe to the heroic 
passengers on Flight 93 and to the brave firefighters of the FDNY and 
officers of the NYPD and the officers and civilians we lost in the 
Pentagon who gave faithful service to our nation.
  I believe all Americans want their country to remain safe, free, and 
invulnerable to another cowardly attack like the one we witnessed 
thirteen years ago today.
  We owe that much to the Americans who lost and gave their lives. We 
owe it to them to ensure that their children and loved ones will never 
again experience such pain, suffering, and loss.
  We can do this. We must do this. After all, we are Americans.

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