On Tuesday September 11, 2001 the United States of America suffered an inconceivable modern-day assault on humanity, shattering our national sense of security and redefining for many Americans the illusion of invincibility many have come to expect with U.S. citizenship.
Striking at the symbols of U.S. economic strength and military might, a ring of international terrorists unleashed a horrific nightmare of death and destruction. Hijacking four commercial passenger jets shortly after take-off, as many as 20 men launched a coordinated suicide mission to commit the unthinkable. Acting as 21st century kamikazes, the hijackers turned three transcontinental airliners into lethal missiles that sliced through the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York City and later pummeled into the Pentagon in the nation’s capital. Heroic acts by the passengers on a fourth jet foiled the terrorists’ plan to wreak even more death and devastation in the nation’s capital, although all 45 passengers aboard were killed when the airliner crashed in western Pennsylvania.
In little more than an hour’s time on that late summer morning in September, life as we know it had changed for good. The financial loss is yet unaccounted. The human loss cannot be calculated.
Since the horrific attacks on America, I’ve heard from many of my constituents. Like me, many feel overcome by human emotion. Horror. Shock. Anger. Anguish. Helplessness. Grief. Sadness. Vengeance. But not even these barbaric acts on human civilization can destroy America’s sense of patriotism and optimism. History tells us that Iowans and the rest of America rally when our fellow citizens and country are in need. Consider the outpouring of compassion by individual citizens and corporate America immediately after the attacks occurred. Blood drives, financial contributions, fund-raisers, food and water donations and volunteer relief continue to spring forth from every state in the nation.
In fact, if we search for a silver lining in the cloud of horror that hangs over America in these darkest of hours, it is one of hope, unity and renewal. May the American people and elected leaders come together like never before and draw strength from the core principles — freedom, liberty and justice — that make America the greatest place on Earth to call home.
The countless stories of gut-wrenching sorrow and human suffering will linger in the hearts and minds of Americans for the rest of our lives. Mixed in among them are uplifting stories of heroism, courage, sacrifice and bravery. There is no doubt about it. America looked evil right in the eye. Let me assure the evil-do’ers that America won’t blink when it comes to exacting justice for your treachery. These modern day forces of evil tried to sabotage the American soul. But they succeeded only in strengthening America’s resolve to protect freedom and defend our way of life. I pray for the thousands of innocent victims who lost their lives and grieve for their families. May the survivors and the millions of Americans who feel a lost sense of innocence in the world find the strength to regain confidence and rebuild their lives.
Goodness will prevail. The United States will make accountable those who are responsible for these attacks on American soil. As a member of the U.S. Senate, I share the president’s patience and resolve to smoke out the cowards who orchestrate and plan acts of terror across the globe. Just four days after the attacks, Congress passed a $40 billion down payment to help with the clean-up and recovery efforts. Part of the money also will be used to beef up the nation’s military and intelligence preparedness to defend U.S. citizens and protect our national security. I also supported the congressional resolution authorizing the president to use military force against those responsible for the attacks and to root out domestic and international pockets of terrorist activity, including any state organizations or governments which sympathize or harbor terrorists. The United States now has taken the lead to forge an international coalition of nations dedicated to eradicating terrorism from the face of the earth.
Victory won’t be won overnight and even will require more sacrifice. While it is perhaps impossible to recover the feelings of invincibility we felt as a nation prior to September 11, it is possible to move forward in solidarity. We must take the opportunity to give generously to those victimized by terrorism, to condemn religious and ethnic bigotry and unite around the cultural, philosophical, and social ties that link us together as a people. Together we can pass along the strength of the American spirit to our children and grandchildren. May they inherit freedom, not fear. God Bless America.