WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released the following statement in observance of the 14th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania:
“This morning, I had the honor and privilege of visiting the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The experience was deeply moving and inspiring. Throughout the morning, I was reminded of the verse John 15:13, ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Those words echoed in my mind as we remembered those 40 brave and selfless men and women on Flight 93 who knowingly gave their lives on September 11 so that hundreds, maybe thousands, could live. Their story is a story that needs to be told for generations to come. It needs to be told to remind all of us of the lessons that they taught us about bravery and selflessness, so we can use those lessons to make our country and the world a better, safer place.
“While we will never forget those painful images from 14 years ago, we will also never forget the heroism, sacrifice, and compassion showed by so many, including those on Flight 93. Nor will we forget the resilience the American people displayed amid the heartbreak and devastation they saw that day. On 9/11, Americans proved that no amount of violence and hatred is a match for our strength and our unity. And in the days, weeks, and months that followed, we pulled together as a nation and found the strength to move on, rebuild, and make our nation stronger than it was before. We owe it to the victims and their loved ones to renew our commitment to that spirit of unity that has always helped our country overcome great challenges and accomplish great things.”