Gowdy Statement on the Anniversaries of the 9/11 and Benghazi Terrorist Attacks

Washington, DC — Select Committee on Benghazi Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., issued the following statement on the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack and the second anniversary of the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya:

“History has shown when America turns a blind eye to terrorism, the terrorists will seize the opportunity to try to blindside us. It is a lesson we learned painfully as a nation in 2001 and again in 2012.

“As we mark the anniversary of the two 9/11 terrorist attacks, and those who lost their lives, we are reminded of the real cost of terrorism and the importance of remaining vigilant. It should not take the rise of ISIS or Boko Haram or AQAP to force vigilance on the part of our nation and its leaders. And we should not have to relearn the lesson of vigilance every couple of years through the spilled blood of American citizens.

“Today we honor the memories and lives of those we lost in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We also honor the lives of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Glen Doherty, Sean Smith and Tyrone Woods. 

“It is for them that we must establish all of the facts of what happened in Benghazi, beyond any reasonable doubt. And it is for the American people, and those who serve our nation overseas—to restore their faith and confidence—that the Committee will establish the facts in a fair and impartial manner.”