FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2004

LARSON STATEMENT ON ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11 TERRORIST ATTACKS

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The House today passed a resolution recognizing the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, H.Res. 757. U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1) made the following statement:

�Madame Speaker, I rise today to mark the third anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to remember those who lost their lives that day, especially the residents of Connecticut and of my district.

�We should take time on each anniversary of September 11, 2001 to honor the dead, their families and those who continue to serve as the nation�s first lines of defense against acts of terrorism and disasters. We will not forget the selfless firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers who confronted chaos and terror that day and lost their lives as they gave everything to save others. We owe a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid to the first responders and members of our military who continue to work each day protecting our communities and our nation. No matter how many years pass, our memories and our grief will not fade, nor will our determination to defeat terror throughout the world and attack its root causes. We must focus the incredible resources of this nation on capturing Osama bin Laden and destroying his al Qaeda network that are responsible for the events of that day. We would also be well served by implementing the recommendations made by the September 11th Commission to help prevent future attacks.

�The nation will remain defiant in the face of terror and threats and must never waiver from the things that make us great: our freedom, our liberty and our Democracy. To curtail the freedoms of Americans in the name of fighting our enemies would be a disservice to the memory of September 11 and every American who has given their life or put themselves in harm's way to defend this nation and its people.

�The profound outrage and indescribable sadness all Americans felt that day is now part of the soul of the nation. Nothing can change what happened in New York, Pennsylvania or at the Pentagon, but we owe it to those who died to be the good citizens and to build a stronger nation in their memory.�

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