Mike Levin: “1 year ago today, the openness and freedom of American society were used against us when terrorists hijacked civilian…”

“1 year ago today, the openness and freedom of American society were used against us when terrorists hijacked civilian passenger jets and used them as missiles to demolish the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and destroy a large section of the Pentagon. The fourth jet hijacked that infamous morning, United Flight 93, may well have been headed for this Capitol Building before brave crew members and passengers fought back against their captors. One year ago today, over 3,000 people had their lives snatched away from them. The emotional trauma of those losses has affected each and every American. No State, no town, no community, no person has been left untouched. The despicable actions of the terrorists last September 11 have changed the world, not only because of what they have destroyed, but also because of what they have kindled in the American people. In New York City, at the Pentagon, in the skies over Pennsylvania and across America, 1 year ago today and in the days since then, we have seen the bravery, compassion, determination, and shared sense of purpose of Americans from all walks of life. As one writer put it, "September 11 did not alter the American character, it merely revealed it." I would add that it did not weaken our spirit, it strengthened it immeasurably. We have, astoundingly, already rebuilt the mangled section of the Pentagon, and we have cleared Ground Zero in New York City.”