Good morning.
It has been two years since terrorists attacked America. On that
day, in the course of a few minutes, this country and the world
were forever changed. It is still very difficult to look back
to that tragic chain of events without a deep sense of tremendous
loss...loss of life...loss of peace...loss of security.
But in coming together to mark this anniversary, there is something
to be gained by acknowledging our loss. And I believe that by
drawing upon our strengths as an organization, we can move forward
with a renewed commitment.
As we remember the men and women who gave their lives on 9/11
-- particularly two of our own, Special Agent Lenny Hatton and
former SAC John O'Neill -- we honor their sacrifice and their
devotion to duty.
We still cannot help but be awed by their heroic actions following
the attacks. Remembering these individuals and their sacrifices,
we are reminded how important it is to cherish our lives, our
friends and our families.
It also serves to clarify our purpose. Here in the FBI, our mission
is to protect Americans from all those who threaten our safety
-- whether that threat comes from terrorists, violent criminals,
foreign intelligence operatives, or others seeking to destroy
our way of life.
We have made great progress in the war on terror, but the world
is still a very dangerous place. We must remain vigilant to the
dangers which exist -- even as they continue to evolve.
And as the threats change, so must we. And we have changed. Looking
back, it is hard to believe how much this organization has transformed
itself in a relatively short period of time. I know, because I
see it every day.
But some things remain the same. The individuals who lost their
lives on 9/11 remain in our hearts. We are committed to tracking
down the terrorists who helped carry out those attacks, and we
will continue to pursue them until they are brought to justice.
This anniversary offers us a chance to evaluate how far we have
come and to rededicate ourselves to our mission so that such attacks
will never happen again on U.S. soil.
And, finally, it gives me the opportunity to recognize the contribution
of each of you. No matter what your job is here, you are performing
an important public service. The work you do makes an important
contribution to the overall success of the FBI's mission to protect
the American people. For your hard work and dedication, I, and
the entire country, are deeply grateful.
Thank you.
