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Floor Speech

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Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from New York for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, every American of a certain age can remember exactly where they were on 9/11, when the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil in history happened, killing 2,977 of our fellow Americans.

Fueled by hate, darkness, and evil, Islamic terrorists hijacked and weaponized commercial airplanes, turning them into suicidal missiles. The terrorists aimed at the heart of American exceptionalism. Two planes hit the World Trade Center, a symbol of world-leading capitalism and limitless economic opportunity; one hit the Pentagon, our Nation's headquarters of military might and patriotic service; and one was likely headed for this very Capitol, aiming for the people's House, symbolizing we the people of our constitutional Republic.

In fact, this historic Capitol might not even be here today were it not for the brave 40, the heroes who took back control of the hijacked plane that was brought down in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, arguably the first Americans to fight what would become the global war on terror.

What the terrorists did not realize that day and the days after is that they would never bring the American people to our knees. On 9/11, you saw unbelievable acts of heroism from law enforcement, first responders, and everyday Americans who ran into the fire to save their fellow countrymen and -women. Many sacrificed their lives in the course of duty. You saw flags on every block and building, and tremendous acts of community service with neighbor helping neighbor simply because they were fellow Americans. Our country was more unified on September 12 than any day in modern history.

In the quarter century since that fateful day, we must always honor and remember those whose lives were cut short when they were killed by terrorists, and we must also remember and honor the thousands of 9/11 workers who cleaned up the rubble to rebuild and subsequently suffered and died because of 9/11 health-related illnesses.

We honor the veterans and military families who served countless tours in the global war on terror, and we thank our dedicated intelligence officials around the world working to keep us safe every day.

One hundred million Americans have been born since 9/11. They do not have a lived memory of that crystal blue sky the morning of the day that the world changed. It is up to our generation to teach them about September 11, to ensure we never forget, and to ensure it never happens again. We must teach them that out of the ashes on our darkest day, fellow Americans will always rise and meet the moment to protect, defend, and honor our country.

Mr. Speaker, next week, as we commemorate 9/11 in ceremonies big and small all across our great Nation, may God bless the innocent souls killed on that day, the first responders, 9/11 workers, and the veterans who served. May God continue to bless and keep safe the United States of America.

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