23rd Anniversary of

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, and I rise today to remember the innocent lives that we lost.

At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 flew into Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Not long after, Flight 175 roared over lower Manhattan into Tower 2.

While Americans around the country were grappling with the events that just transpired, a third plane, Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon.

In southwest Pennsylvania, the fourth flight, United 93, was hijacked and made the abrupt turn toward Washington, D.C., but because of the brave passengers and crew members, it crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In the days, weeks, months, and now more than two decades that followed September 11, our country joined together to face the very evil which attempted to take us down. We will forever be indebted to our servicemen and -women who joined the fight to protect our freedoms.

While today's world has grown no less dangerous, we, as Americans, are resilient. We will never forget, not 23 years later, and not ever. May God continue to watch over our first responders, our men and women in uniform, and all of those who keep us safe.

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