Michael Burgess: “as we have heard so often this morning, this is a special day, and it is appropriate for us to take the time to honor…”

“as we have heard so often this morning, this is a special day, and it is appropriate for us to take the time to honor the fallen and acknowledge our gratitude to our first responders and to our brave men and women who are serving here in this country and half a world away. Mr. Speaker, I think it is also appropriate to take a moment to honor those who were here and served in this House 2 years ago. Mr. Speaker, as you have pointed out, this building, this House, was, in fact, one of the purported targets of the terrorists that morning, terror that was prevented by the actions of passengers high above the Pennsylvania countryside. Like millions of Americans, I began that day narrowly focused on my own personal concerns, and like millions of Americans, I ended that day watching Members of this House singing God bless America on the Capitol steps at sunset. On that day, I did not know that my path would lead me here. But I remember the peace that was brought to me and my family by the visible cohesiveness of this body. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for that day and I thank you for this day as well.”