Saxby Chambliss: “Mr. Speaker, America is the most free, most open, most democratic nation in the world and yesterday we paid tremendous…”

“Mr. Speaker, America is the most free, most open, most democratic nation in the world and yesterday we paid tremendous price for our freedom. Yesterday's vicious attack on the United States was a heinous and despicable act of murder targeting innocent American families. The devastation are unspeakable, the consequences are unimaginable. Every single American has been touched by tragedy like no other event in American history, and our national will has been seared by images of death and destruction. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those whose lives have been lost. We have been hit at our hearts and we mourn our national loss. Today, we put politics aside and focus on our principles and our policy. We are not Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans, speaking with one united voice against this terror that has been perpetrated against us. I commend President Bush and the administration for their steady and unwavering leadership in this crisis and Gov. Pataki, Mayor Giuliani, DC Mayor Anthony Williams, and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and all the people who have answered the call of duty to respond in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. America's first responders are our first line of defense and these professionals deserve our gratitude and praise for the work they are doing. However, today it is pointedly clear that we continue to live in a dangerous world with very real threats to our nation.”