Patrick Leahy: “Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Americans, very…”

“Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Americans, very appropriately, honored the memory of the brave men and women who died in that terrible time. Our thoughts were and are with those who perished that day, the loved ones they left behind, and the heroes who acted with fearlessness, bravery and hope. The world has changed during the last year, but, fortunately, the principles on which this country was founded have not changed. I want to especially commend Chief Judge William Sessions of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont for proceeding with an immigration and naturalization ceremony in Vermont yesterday. What a wonderful gesture, granting citizenship to a new group of Americans and reminding us that we are a nation of immigrants and that our borders are open to immigrants who come to America seeking freedom, opportunity and a better life for their children. Senator Kennedy reminded us all earlier this year that immigrants are not the problem, terrorists are the problem.”