Remarks of
Congressman Bob Etheridge
Moment of Silence to Honor Victims of Terrorist Attacks
September 18, 2001

"Thank you all for joining us this morning. At this time, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our soloist, Jim Farlow from Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, who will sing our National Anthem.

"Thank you, Jim. That song has always stirred our emotions but perhaps never as much as it has since the events of last week.

"Let me thank all of you for joining us here this morning, especially Attorney General Roy Cooper, Sheriff John Baker, Raleigh's Assistant Fire Chief Chris Stanford, Major Ralph Strickland from the Raleigh Police Department, and Dr. Roger Elliott of the Edenton Street United Methodist Church. I appreciate your participation in this important event as we commemorate our fallen heroes and celebrate their spirit of service.

"One week ago today, people of all walks of life were harmlessly going about their daily business on a late summer day drenched in sunshine. But the blue skies soon rained pure evil as two hijacked commercial airliners slammed into the World Trade Center, another rammed the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania, downed by the brave passengers in an incredible act of courage. Vice President Cheney has said that plane was likely en route to the U.S. Capitol building where both the House and Senate were in session.

"September 11, 2001 will forever be in our nation's memory for the cowardly acts of war committed against so many innocent civilians. But it will also be remembered for the hundreds of firefighters and law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in a desperate attempt to save our fellow Americans. The most compelling image is that of the public safety officers going up the Twin Towers at the same time those towers came crashing down. That selfless spirit of service is alive every day in our public safety officers in North Carolina and across the country. And while we remember the sacrifices of a week ago, let us be thankful for the every day heroes in our midst.

"Scripture tells us, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Last week, we saw countless acts of such powerful love.

"Last week, we in North Carolina also lost one of our finest in Clayton where Lieutenant Monica Carey was killed busting up a drug deal. Lt. Carey was the first woman in the Clayton Police Department ever killed in the line of duty. She leaves a husband and two children. As we remember the heroes who died in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, we must remember Monica Carey as well.

"I thank you for joining us in memory of our American heroes."

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