Date: 2010-09-14
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res 1610a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on Sept. 11. 2001. The legacy of the events of September 11. 2001 still resonates today. We will never forget the harrowing experience of the loss of more than 3.000 lives that marked this national tragedy. We will never forget the events of that day. nor those who paid the ultimate price. We will forever remember how the country suffered profound sadness. the likes of which we as a nation hope to never experience again. Madam Speaker. I recall vividly the intense emotions evoked as the attacks unfolded. The nation watched in horror as two airliners crashed into the Twin Towers and brought down the World Trade Center. That horror intensified as we witnessed an attack on the Pentagon. and a crashed airplane in Pennsylvania. Horror turned to anger as it came to light that the attacks were the actions of hatefilled cowards who had no respect for human life. I remember too. that in the aftermath of these senseless attacks. we came together as a nation and with friends from around the world united in grief and sadness. That moment transformed our country and the world. as the resolve of our nation strengthened and our principles hardened. We remember the heroes from that day. those who ran into the danger. sacrificing themselves to save strangers. They were the brave firefighters. police officers. and civil servants who died in the service of protecting others. We remember the heroes from United Flight 93 who overpowered the terrorists and gave their own lives to prevent the deaths of countless others. We hope that their families can take some small measure of comfort knowing that Americans have made a permanent place for those heroes in our hearts. In Houston. we mourned the loss of two of our own: Naval Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Martin Caballero and Army Lieutenant Colonel Karen Wagner. Twentyoneyearold Petty Officer Caballero was an electronics technician who had a bright life ahead of him. Fortyyearold Lt. Col. Wagner had a distinguished career as a medical personnel officer in the office of the Army surgeon general. Both lives were taken when United Flight 77 was steered into the Pentagon. Madam Speaker. I ask that we also pay tribute today to those who have fought the wars borne from September 1 1th. In the years since that tragic day. our country has fought ardently to eliminate the enemies who would work to perpetuate the culture of fear and violence borne from 9/11. In Afghanistan and Iraq. our Armed Forces demonstrate that a resolved and determined America will always prevail. The men and women of the U.S. military prove daily that their commitment to protecting and defending our country is steadfast. Let us remember those who fought and died while serving the country. let us honor those who continue to fight. and let us pledge our unending support for our soldiers and their families. As Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee and a Senior Member of the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees. I believe that we must continue to honor the fallen by working to prevent needless deaths. In the years since September 11. 2001. Congress has worked hard to make sure that such a tragedy will never happen again. In large part. we have taken heed of the advice of the 9/11 Commission and built a strong system to prevent future attacks. Madam Speaker. I rise before this body to say that our work is not yet done. Domestic terrorism is alive. Last year we witnessed both the Time Square and the Christmas Day failed terrorist attempt at Detroitbound Flight 253. We must not let another tragedy occur. Preventing terrorism at home begins with addressing terrorism abroad. We must engage nations that are susceptible to the influence of extremists and arm them with the tools to fight radicalism. That means not only providing weapons of war but also increasing education. improving living conditions. and increasing the capacity to govern. The struggle against terrorism will be won in the hearts and minds of people around the world. Madam Speaker. I urge all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 1610. Let us remember this day and the tragedy that befell the nation by properly honoring the victims with our renewed commitment to Americas security.