Thoughts on 9/11 Remembrance
Floor Speech
* Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. I would like to take a moment to recognize Florida International University's series of events in remembrance of Ð9/11 and share my thoughts on the events that unraveled that fateful September morning.
* It has been 10 years since the horror of Ð9/11, a day that will be forever ingrained in our memories. On that day, America came face to face with an evil the likes of which our shores had never before witnessed. This unconscionable terrorist attack--this barbaric and cowardly act of 19 men--declared war not only on America, but on freedom itself. Nearly 3,000 innocent victims--of all races, religions and ethnicities--lost their lives that morning. Millions more suffered in anguish as the news of the events quickly unfolded on our television sets and radios worldwide.
* We were left asking the questions: Why and who? Why would anyone purposefully and mercilessly attack innocent civilians? Who could be so nefarious? In the succeeding years, we received the answers to our questions. We have identified our enemy and we have brought many of them to justice. Though our enemy has been weakened, we must remain steadfast in our resolve and vigilance to ensure that an attack like this will never again be brought upon our citizens. This is the debt we owe to those who perished on September 11th and to all of their loved ones.
* For many of us, the memories of that day remain vivid--and wounds remain fresh--yet we gather here today to pay tribute not only to those innocent victims who lost their lives, but to those who gave their lives so that others may live. We gather here to remind the world of the courage and strength of our citizens. We gather here, united, to remind our enemies that our resolve will not waver; our spirit will never diminish. We gather today to honor the memories of every man and woman lost, and to give them our solemn promise that we will never forget; we will never rest until their lasting memorial is a world of peaceful coexistence.
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