Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement regarding the 16th anniversary of 9/11:

“Sixteen years ago, the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, changed our world. Today, we reflect on the ways that we have changed in the wake of that dark day; we reflect on both heroism and mistakes, on brave sacrifices and on the deaths of so many we loved.

“But some things, those deepest and closest to what we are as a nation, have not changed. We still stand united in memory of the dead. We still stand in awe of the heroic sacrifices that graced that day, and so many since. We still stand in resolve to defend our nation and its most sacred ideals: ideals like freedom of conscience, the rule of law, and religious tolerance.

“There are many who have been born into a world in which 9/11 has to be told to them as opposed to them having experienced it. But we mark this memorial in order to reclaim some of the unity that was ours on that day—so that, whether or not we were there, whether or not we lost those we love, we can take time from our lives to comfort one another, to reflect with one another, and to teach one another.

“I was in the Capitol when the plane hit the Pentagon. It is a day etched in my memory and engrained in my conscience. Like so many others who recall the horror and the heroes of that day, I will never forget.

“As long as we live, we will tell the stories of the persons who died and were injured and of their families who suffered on that fatal day and also of the first responders, including firefighters and police officers, who sacrificed on that day. We will tell the story of the heroism of the passengers of United Flight 93.

“We will tell the story of the troops who have served and are serving under our flag, far from home, and of the thousands who have lost their lives in our nation’s service. And we will renew our resolve: our resolve to defend America from those who mean it harm with all of the tools at our disposal; our resolve to the principles that give our nation its meaning and mission; and our resolve to remain, in the face of all threats, a fearless, strong, and united people.”

“As Sandy Dahl, the wife of United 93 pilot Jason Dahl said after losing her husband, “if we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” May Sandy’s words forever resonate in our collective hearts and bind us together as Americans.”