WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released the following statement in observance of the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania:
“Twelve years ago today, our nation was shocked by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We watched these tragic events unfold, and we mourned together as friends and loved ones were lost. But in the days, weeks and months that followed, we pulled together as a nation and found the strength to move on and rebuild. After that day, our nation fundamentally changed. We also became stronger and more committed to ensuring that attacks like those never happen again.
“On 9/11 we saw the best and worst of humanity. Now, what we must ask ourselves is how we can take the lessons we learned on that day and use them to make our country and the world a safer place. The friends and families of 9/11 victims have shown us how to do this by channeling their grief and using it as a force for good, inspiring all of us to keep the memory of the victims alive.
“Twelve years later, we can say that Osama Bin Laden has been brought to justice for his heinous actions and that our nation’s security and emergency response efforts are stronger. But we can’t rest on our laurels. As I like to say, ‘the road to improvement is always under construction.’ Despite our progress over the last twelve years, we must remain vigilant and remember that our nation still faces great challenges, ranging from national security to creating jobs and growing our economy. I firmly believe that we can’t adequately address these problems if we don’t put aside our differences and work together. Our Senate Chaplain, Barry Black, often tells those of us in the Senate to ‘pray for wisdom,’ which I try to do every day. I think today it is particular appropriate. On 9/11 we came together to unite as a people and a nation. Today, on this 12th anniversary, I urge Delawareans and all Americans to renew their commitment to that spirit of unity.”