Cardin Statement Remembering September 11, 2001
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the U.S. of September 11, 2001:
“We hug our family a little tighter on this day and pray for all who started their morning on September 11, 2001 like every other, but never made it home. We remember the precious lives lost and those forever changed 13 years ago in New York, at the Pentagon and in a quiet field in Pennsylvania. We give thanks for the first responders and the everyday Americans turned heroes who showed the world that the USA stands tall even when knocked down. Terrorists turned the openness and freedom of American society against us with weapons of fear, chaos, and destruction, but they can never extinguish the light of the greatest democracy this planet has ever known.
“Thirteen years ago, we questioned how our Nation would respond to this personal attack, but we never questioned America’s resolve and endurance. As the days rolled by, we saw the determination, the compassion, and the commitment of so many individuals giving freely of their time and their money to help those affected by the attacks. The bravery, resourcefulness, and the shared sense of purpose we witnessed that day and every day since 9/11 have shown the world the ‘stuff’ of which Americans are made: an unquenchable love of freedom and an unwavering commitment to democracy.
“America remains an indispensable nation. We are thankful for our gifts and understand the responsibility that comes with great power. We have a unique role in the world to lead the international community in providing stability, humanitarian relief, and defense of the innocent. I believe we will prevail against today’s extremists and terrorists for the same reason we have been victorious in previous conflicts: the overwhelming majority of people in the world want freedom and justice and dignity and opportunity. I am confident because America remains a beacon of hope to the oppressed everywhere.”