Frank Lautenberg: “Today marks the sixty-third anniversary of the horrific attacks on Pearl Harbor, HI, the first major attack on American…”

“Today marks the sixty-third anniversary of the horrific attacks on Pearl Harbor, HI, the first major attack on American soil by a foreign enemy since British troops set fire to the White House and the Capitol Building in the War of 1812. It was 60 years later, September 11, 2001, before the next attack took place on American soil. Pearl Harbor will always be remembered as the first incident to shock the collective psyche of our Nation out of its complacency. Whether it could be classified as a terrorist act or otherwise, the attack on Pearl Harbor claimed the lives of 2,403 American servicemen. This event, perpetrated by a people who have long since reconciled their differences with America and the world, is a reminder to all of us of the sacrifices made by millions of individuals during this time of national peril. Their selfless actions and incredible courage in the face of extreme personal risk helped to ensure that the freedoms which are the bedrock of our country were preserved. We honor the memory of our countrymen who sacrificed their own lives, so others could live, and the families who lost loved ones in the attack. And we honor the survivors of Pearl Harbor, including the roughly 6,000 who are still alive today. We must never forget any of these brave Americans.”