Williams’ statement on anniversary of September 11, 2001

“Today our nation pauses to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and honor the memory of the thousands of innocent lives lost thirteen years ago.  We are also mindful of the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on our consulate in Benghazi that took the life of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three more Americans.  Though the pain of loss is just as poignant now, may we never forget the courageous men and women who charged the cockpit, helped others make it to a stairwell, rushed towards danger to help, and who undoubtedly comforted each other as they hoped and prayed for safety.

“The horrific attacks awakened our country to a new threat – one that is far from over.  We have had some success in fighting terrorism.  We’ve rounded up many top terrorist operatives and gleaned valuable intelligence from them, and our brave men and women in uniform have done an incredible job defending our homeland.  Defeating radical Islamic terrorism is an enormous task, but Americans have shown again and again that they are willing to defend their freedom when it is threatened.  We will prevail in this struggle, showing the world that our love of freedom is stronger than our enemy’s desire for bloodshed and tyranny.”

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