Senators release statements on 15th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attacks

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, released the following statement to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States:

“This Sunday we will solemnly observe the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people from 93 different nations and injured more than 6,000 others at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For those of us old enough to remember, the events of that horrific day are seared into our memories as if they just happened yesterday. More than 3,000 children lost at least one parent on 9/11.  Many of these children were too young at the time to comprehend what was happening or to remember it today even though they suffered such a devastating personal loss. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 59 million Americans have been born since 9/11. Most of these young people learn about 9/11 in school, much the same way an earlier generation of Americans learned about Pearl Harbor.

“For those younger Americans who don’t remember 9/11, I think it’s important for them to understand that the attacks didn’t just test our character; they revealed it.  The worst attack in American history brought out the best in the American people.  Americans responded with courage and self-sacrifice, with charity and compassion and volunteerism, and with resolve.

“What I hope our young people – those who don’t have a personal memory of 9/11 – will understand is that out of many, we are truly one.  That was evident on September 11, 2001, and it’s still true.  Our partisan, political, philosophical and regional differences come to the fore during a presidential campaign. But these differences ultimately are dwarfed by what binds us together as Americans: our hopes for our families, our communities, our Nation and the world. The best way for all of us to honor those who died on 9/11 is to remember that and act accordingly – courageously, generously, compassionately and with resolve to defend and promote justice, freedom and peace at home and abroad.”

 Senator Cardin’s full statement in the Congressional Record can be found here.

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U.S. Senator Tom Carper, released the following statement in observance of the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania:

“This Sunday, we will remember and mourn the loved ones who were lost on that fateful morning fifteen years ago. The attacks on September 11th took the lives of thousands of our citizens and shook us to our core, leaving us to feel helpless and vulnerable. The perpetrators of those horrific attacks on our country sought to break our spirit, divide us against one another, and change our way of life. But in the wake of those attacks, we also saw the best in people. Even when confronted with that evil, we did not let hate divide us. Instead, we pulled together and emerged  more resilient than ever. We were not Democrats or Republicans during those dark days; we were simply Americans, lending our hands to help one another.

“Last year on this anniversary, I had the privilege of visiting the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remembered and honored those brave passengers and crew members who, upon learning of the terrorists’ plan, revolted and forced the plane to crash in an empty field instead of its intended target, the U.S. Capitol.  The ordinary citizens of Flight 93 who boarded that plane became heroes that day. For me and for many other Americans, I’m sure, the words ‘let’s roll’ will always remind me of the sacrifices they made in order to save the lives of others.

“On this anniversary, I can’t help but think of the Latin phrase ‘E pluribus unum,’ which means ‘Out of many, one.’ This motto adorns our nation’s seal and reminds us that while we may all come from many different places and have different backgrounds, we are one nation – we are the United States. In the hours and days following September 11th, we came together as Americans and stood truly united as one nation. It can sometimes be easy to forget the unity we felt in the aftermath of those attacks. But this weekend, we should all pause and honor the memories of those who perished by renewing that sense of solidarity, which gave us the courage and strength to rebuild in the wake of tragedy.”