9/11: Six Years Later - Remembrance and learning from the past

Six Years After 9/11:

Remembrance and Resolve

 

Six years ago, each and every American witnessed both the cowardice and hatred of those that perpetrated the horrible attacks on innocent Americans, as well as the courage and heroism shown by America's first responders who rushed to help the victims of these senseless attacks as survivors streamed out.

 

Last night I joined my Congressional colleagues in marking the sixth anniversary of these terrible attacks on our nation. After passing a resolution dedicating the sixth anniversary of 9/11 as a day of Remembrance and Resolve, we gathered, Democrats and Republicans as one unified body, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in a candle light vigil for those who lost their lives six years ago today.

 

As your federal representative, I am reminded that the first responsibility of our government is the security of every American. It is for this reason that Congress created the independent and bipartisan 9/11 Commission to look into that tragic day, but more importantly to ensure that a catastrophe of this magnitude never happens again.

 

It was with this in mind that when Democrats assumed control of Congress eight months ago, the first piece of legislation that we passed was H.R. 1, legislation adopting the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Report. This legislation was signed into law by the President on August 3rd and represents a major step forward in protecting America from future terrorist attacks.

 

H.R. 1 swiftly addresses some of the vulnerabilities to terrorism that were found to exist in America. In South Florida, for example, within the next five years we will move from screening only 5% of inbound cargo for Port Everglades or the Port of Miami to the screening of 100% of inbound cargo.

In an era of unprecedented challenges to America's security and public safety, our passage of legislation implementing the 9/11 Commission Report's recommendations is an important step forward in protecting Americans from future terrorist attacks and in providing our first responders the tools they need to combat terrorism.

Sincerely,