Congressman Cleaver's Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terror Attacks

Statement

(Kansas City, MO) -- Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

"September 11, 2001 is a day that has been seared into my memory, and I will carry those memories with me for the rest of my life. On that fateful day, the world watched in horror as terrorists hijacked multiple passenger aircraft and flew them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and, thanks to the courage of the heroic passengers on Flight 93, missed the U.S. Capitol. The despicable, senseless, and hate-fueled attacks stole the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans, including more than 400 first responders who selflessly ran toward danger in a moment when their fellow citizens needed them most. It was a previously unfathomable tragedy that couldn't help but break one's heart.

"I--like many others--will never forget the shocking images we witnessed on that day. They delivered a striking blow to the aura of invincibility our nation had grown accustomed to, demonstrating how powerful hate can be when put into action and illustrating the absolute worst in humanity.

"However, in that day, and the days the followed, we also witnessed the kind of courage that can only be found during such a disaster. We watched the American public pull together like few other moments in our nation's history. We put differences aside and united as one people, resolved to defend the values of freedom and liberty that are sacred to every American.

"It is difficult to believe that twenty years have passed since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. On the twentieth anniversary, I will spend my time praying for the families who lost a loved one--on that day or in the years that followed. It is my hope that all Americans will take some time to honor the souls that were taken from us on that day. For they may be gone, but we must never allow them to be forgotten."

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