James Moran: “we cannot yet grasp the impact of Tuesday's events on the future of American life. In Northern Virginia, our fear and…”

“we cannot yet grasp the impact of Tuesday's events on the future of American life. In Northern Virginia, our fear and anxiety are almost overwhelming. All of us know someone who works at the Pentagon. They are friends and neighbors. They are active in our schools and churches. In short, they are good people who have devoted their lives to the defense of freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family of Pentagon employees. They have demonstrated once again the particular dangers to which our military and Federal civil servants are often subjected. While thousands of innocent lives have been lost, this much is certain. The perpetrators of this horrible attack must not succeed in weakening the United States or its core values. We must not retreat from our legitimate role as the leader of the free world. Where American interests are at stake or where the cause of freedom and democracy can be appropriately advanced, American foreign policy must be one of active engagement. American leadership in promoting peace and democracy will put the Nation at odds with terrorists and others bent on evil. Tuesday's events, as horrible and as tragic as they are, do not mark the first time America has been targeted because its most basic values are correct. Fear of terrorists must not deter us from carrying on our policies just as we have for more than 200 years. America must also stand firm, though, in its commitment to civil liberties for all of our people.”