Pelosi: On 5th Anniversary of 9/11, We Come Together to Pray for God's Blessings

Pelosi: On 5th Anniversary of 9/11, We Come Together to Pray for God's Blessings

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Dennis Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid spoke this evening at a Congressional remembrance ceremony to honor the fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The ceremony took place at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, where Members of Congress gathered five years earlier to sing "God Bless America." Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you mentioned, five years ago, tonight, as the sun set on a day of unimaginable horror, Members of Congress came together on these steps to sing ‘God Bless America.' This evening as we come together, we have even more reason to acknowledge God's blessing on our great country.

"With the selflessness and the courage of our first responders, the bravery and patriotism of our troops, with the optimism of the American people, God has truly blessed America.

"Tonight, we come together to continue to pray for God's blessings. For the families of 9/11, for all those who were lost on that horrible day, the loss of life on 9/11 was staggering. The figures are so large. But we carry each family and each person who was lost, individually in our hearts. And I hope that it is a comfort to the families of 9/11, that the whole world mourns their loss and continues to pray for them.

"Americans have traditionally been keepers of the flame. The flame of liberty at the beginning of our country, the flame of welcome at the statue of liberty, the eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery, and the flame in our hearts of remembrance for the families and those who were lost on 9/11. That flame will burn in our hearts forever and as long as our country exists, that day and those people will be an important part of who we are as a country.

"On 9/11, the terrorists targeted a plane to this Capitol, but because of the heroics of the passengers on United Flight 93, Congress was saved and protected. We must protect and save the American people. Because right now we are not fully safe and we are not fully healed. So it is important for us to continue to come together, for that healing. And as we renew our sense of urgency we do so to protect the American people, to bring those responsible to justice, and to continue to pray that God will continue to bless America. Thank you."

http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/articles.cfm?pressReleaseID=1782