Political Quotes

“I remember speaking on the House floor the day after the attacks. I asked, ``will we forget? Will this sick, sinking feeling fade? Will we fail to follow through on these promises or will we demonstrate unfaltering resolve?'' I am proud to say, one year later, that the American people remain determined to fight the war on terror, and though the road ahead will continue to be hard, we will prevail. We should reflect for a moment on the lessons in the attacks. In my view, there are three. First, America has enemies who resent our freedom and way of life. These enemies are determined and are ignored at our peril. Second, the oceans do not provide as much protection as they did in the past. We have to be aware that threats can come from anywhere. Third, as with Pearl Harbor, first punches can be devastating. We must now allow ourselves to be taken by surprise again. Even though we have had a year to reflect since last September, it is still hard to comprehend the magnitude of the terrorist attacks and the historic turn of events that they triggered. In our 226-year history, America has never known an assault on our homeland such as that terrorist attack. As horrific and sickening as the attacks were, however, they brought out the best in us as Americans. They reminded us that despite all our differences, we are one--a united America.”