Richard K. Armey: “Mr. Speaker, a year ago today the east coast of this great land woke up to the first rays of morning sunshine. We woke…”

“Mr. Speaker, a year ago today the east coast of this great land woke up to the first rays of morning sunshine. We woke up as a Nation, full of optimism, full of gratification, aware of our freedoms, but probably taking them for granted. We were concerned about the people we love, with the confidence they would all be there. We were excited about the business of the day with hopes of good outcomes, and dearly involved with our children with an understanding of their safety. We did not think about heinous deeds when we woke that morning. Our minds were busy with our plans and hopes, dreams and schemes; and we went about our day's work. Then, all of a sudden, out of the dark depths of the evil corners of the world, hatred, meanness, despair, jealousy, greed, whatever, rose to afflict this Nation. We were shocked at what we saw. First, most of us thought it was an accident and how tragic it was. But soon, we realized it was a vicious, premeditated attack on us as a Nation and on innocent civilians in this country. Those streaming rays of sunshine that came through those big buildings of New York City that stood as a monument to this thing we call the practical American genius, were shattered. That peaceful field in Pennsylvania, awake with morning dew, was smashed.”