[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
[Page 1300]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Terrorist Attack on New York City's World Trade Center in 
Sarasota, Florida

September 11, 2001

    Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America. I, 
unfortunately, will be going back to Washington after my remarks. 
Secretary Rod Paige and the Lieutenant Governor will take the podium and 
discuss education. I do want to thank the folks here at Booker 
Elementary School for their hospitality.
    Today we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into 
the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country. I 
have spoken to the Vice President, to the Governor of New York, to the 
Director of the FBI, and have ordered that the full resources of the 
Federal Government go to help the victims and their families and to 
conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks 
who committed this act.
    Terrorism against our Nation will not stand.
    And now if you would join me in a moment of silence. May God bless 
the victims, their families, and America.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 9:30 a.m. in the Media Center at Emma 
Booker Elementary School. In his remarks, the President referred to Lt. 
Gov. Frank T. Brogan of Florida and Gov. George E. Pataki of New York. 
At 8:45 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade 
Center North, and at 9:05 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into 
the World Trade Center South. Both flights were scheduled from Boston 
Logan International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.