Remembering a Day America Never Wanted to Know

I remember that fall day in Washington like it was yesterday. As typical on a day the House of Representatives was in session, I was at a meeting in the U.S. Capitol when the Capitol Police interrupted, instructing us to immediately leave and move away from the building. It wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t a request. I remember thinking that the officer’s order was unusual as no foreign leaders were visiting the Capitol that day. I’d quickly come to find out our nation was under attack.

Obeying the Capitol police, I abruptly ended the meeting and quickly exited the building. I couldn’t answer questions as to what was going on; I, like most of Washington, had no idea at that time. Once outside, however, we could all see what was motivating such urgency: black smoke billowed out of the Pentagon in the near distance.

In those initial moments, I could not fully comprehend what was happening to the United States of America though it was clear and present in front of my eyes. In the days and hours that followed, all Americans and our allies across the globe would recognize what had happened and what was needed.

The Capitol Police moved all Members of Congress, staff and visitors away from the Dome of the U.S. Capitol. During the mass evacuation...and mass confusion…there were unsubstantiated reports of additional aircraft in route to suspected Washington targets, including Capitol Hill and the White House. My colleagues and I were eventually taken to a secure location, though we wouldn’t have the opportunity to tell our spouses, families or constituents where we were. The respective leaderships of the House and Senate had long-since been transported to an undisclosed location.

Ten years later, our lives have unquestionably changed. Recognizing we were no longer safe simply because of our geography, the nation refocused its efforts on strengthening our security procedures. We have and continue to make necessary investments in a myriad of areas. From day one, South Jersey has played a key role in these efforts, particularly in the areas of aviation and port security research and development and the physical patrolling of the New York City to Washington, D.C. corridor. That role has only grown in recent years. Institutions such as the 177th Air National Guard Fighter Wing, Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, the TSA Aviation Security Lab, the FAA Technical Center and the Federal Air Marshal Training Center are called upon constantly to ensure the nation’s security. And each of these facilities – and the dedicated men and women who work there – has risen to the challenge.

The nation could never forget the horrific attack by an obscure enemy half-a-world away. In public and private ceremonies across the nation including many communities in South Jersey, we will remember the lives of more than 3,000 Americans that were lost during the long hours of September 11, 2001. On this tenth anniversary, I will join with countless South Jersey residents to honor the fallen, both on that day and in subsequent years overseas in defense of our nation, and the first responders who answered their country’s call in her absolute hour of need. And I will never forget that day, a day that America never wanted to know and is forever changed by.

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