Jim Matheson: “events on September 11, 2001, changed America forever. Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives, including 366 police and…”

“events on September 11, 2001, changed America forever. Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives, including 366 police and fire fighters who rushed into the burning Twin Towers. In the aftermath of those terrible hours and days, we emerged from our shock and grief with the knowledge that life in our country would never be the same. The heroes of 9-11--the passengers aboard United Flight 93, first-responders, doctors, nurses, search and rescue teams-- inspired us and gave us hope. Images of bravery soon replaced those of brutality. The terrorist threat is ongoing. The risk that we will be attacked again here at home is real. Our men and women in uniform are putting their lives on the line in the most dangerous parts of the world. More than 1,000 have paid the ultimate price. We honor their sacrifice and their commitment to duty. We have made progress in the fight against this insidious enemy. But we still have much to do. We must employ technology to protect our ports, our energy infrastructure, and our food supply. We must reform our intelligence-gathering program. We must continue to improve our ability to respond to an emergency. We must do it all without trampling on the civil liberties of our citizens, because we treasure our free and open society that terrorists seek to destroy. We pause today in solemn remembrance of that defining day and in honor of this great Nation.”