Maria Cantwell: “2 years ago, our Nation was brutally attacked by terrorists. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children lost their…”

“2 years ago, our Nation was brutally attacked by terrorists. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children lost their lives on September 11, 2001, in New York, the Washington, DC, area, and Pennsylvania. This week, we honor the memories of those lost, and remember the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and other loved ones who will never return to their families. Yet in the midst of that tragedy, we were reminded about what makes America strong. Firefighters raced into the doomed towers of the World Trade Center, saving thousands of lives, although they would be unable to reach safety themselves. At the Pentagon, even as part of their building burned, the men and women of the military command stayed at their desks to help coordinate information and keep the country's armed forces on high alert. Over Pennsylvania, a group of strangers joined together to fight back against their attackers and saved countless lives by giving their own. Our strength has always come from the capacity of average Americans to rise to acts of heroism to protect neighbor and stranger alike. Now, our security derives from regular people in a wide range of jobs, in addition to the brave men and women of the armed forces. From Customs agents, to cops on the beat, to baggage screeners, million of U.S. citizens have important roles to play in keeping our country safe. Today, the fight against terror continues.…”