F a small claims Justice Court who was so moved by what was happening that we paused to sing god bless america. I remember at least one person sobbing. It was a day when people within that courtroom were faced with uncertainties unlike we had seen before. A day when all of our First Responders were challenged. Allow me, please, for just a moment to talk and say a few rds about those who were there at the site of the twin towers. Could see on television the cloud of dust as it started to emerge and settle. People rushing, bodies covered. It was intuitively obvious to the most casual observer that this was not a place to run to. As a matter of fact you would see people running away. But there were those who took their duties and responsibilities seriously. And as others were rushing away as fear would have us do, they were rushing in. These were the people, many of whom lost their lives trying to save the lives of others, these were the people, many of whom still suffer today because they were bound by duty to do that which most of us would not. These are the people that we must never forget many. Their lives have been changed and altered forever, but we have a duty and responsibility here to share our thoughts and our feelings with them, but also to make sure we take care of their health issues. Theres something to be said about this term, in the line of duty. Until you have had the opportunity to visit one of the memorial services, it just may not impact you as it can. It will never impact me the way it impacts the family members, but i want this country to know that those who lost their lives in the line of duty on that day will never be forgotten. And those who served and still serve will always be remembered. My take this moment for personal privilege and i will lower my head for a moment of silent prayer. Thapping you, madam speaker. Thank you, madam speaker. God bless the United States of america. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i rise today on the 18th anniversary of september 11, 2001, to reflect on the events of that fateful day and honor the lives lost and heroes that united us. At 8 46 a. M. American Airlines Flight 11 roared over Lower Manhattan and tower one of the world trade center. Shortly after, flight 175 struck tower two. Our country was under attack. Many of us could never imagine such an evil taking, such evil taking place in our own back beyond a reasonable doubt. Backyard. The terror did not stop in new york city. The penning pen septre, and our Nations Capital was also a target of evil. Flight 77 crashed into the pentagon at 9 38 a. M. It was a turning point in our history and changed the way we would view the world forever. The fourth plane hydrogened that day, united 93, crashing into a field in shanksville, pennsylvania. Here in the capitol as you exit the north side of the rotunda, a plaque displays the numbers names of the 40 passengers and crew of united 93. One of those aboard was Flight Attendant sandra bradshaw. She had always wanted to be a Flight Attendant and living out that dream. Traveling and meeting new people. At 9 30 a. M. On 9 11, she called her husband and told him that united 93 had been high jacked. She said the crew and passenger has decided to try to take back the plane. Their sacrifice saved countless lives and i cant help think they may have saved this very building where we sit today from destruction. Our countrys fight against terrorism did not happen on a battlefield on the other side of the world. But over the skies of pennsylvania, new york, and virginia. By ordinary american citizens. The courage and bravery of flight 93 was not the only heroism on display that day. Firefighters, police officers, and First Responders jumped into action without hesitation. When planes crashed they ran in. When fires ignited, they ran in. When buildings collapsed, they ran in. Their courage never waivered. We will never forget the life lost and must always remember the heroism that was shown. While we cannot bring our loved ones back, we can honor their memory through acts of service. To main taint spirit of unity and compassion that stemmed from the attacks every year our country proclaims september 11 as patriot day. It is a great way to honor the souls we lost and pay tribute to all who sacrificed their lives. As president bush said when he addressed the nation, quote, terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundations of america. These attacks shattered still but they cannot dent the steel of american resolve, end quotes. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from florida, mrs. Demings, for five minutes. Mrs. Demings madam speaker, september 11, 2001, is within of those days when everyone of age can remember where they were and what they were doing when the first plane hit. I was a Police Commander assigned to the Orlando International airport. It appeared to be a normal day and then the events unfolded. The planes hit. The towers collapsed. The pentagon burned. The passengers of flight 93 mounted their heroic resistance. T appeared time stood still as the world watched the results and actions of the hijackers, evil men who set out to attack america, to kill americans. But they could never have killed the idea of america. You see, that idea belongs to us. It will endure as long as we continue to believe in it, to perfect it, and to make it orth fighting for. 2,977 lives, 343 firefighters, 23 new york police officers, and 37 Port Authority officers. They took much from us that day. As a mother, i think of the roughly 100 babies who will turn 18 this year having never known their fathers. Today i remember the passengers and crew, i remember the First Responders who rushed into fire and smoke, dust, and rubble in a desperate fight to save whomever they could. Who would for weeks on end breathing deadly particles trying to find survivors or at least identify the dead. Heroes who died that day or from illnesses contracted from the search, rescue, recovery. Heroes who died as they lived in service to others who believed in service above self. These men and women didnt just save lives, they defined what it means to be a hero for a generation. On the day of the worst terrorist attack in america, on american soil, our First Responders showed us the best of us. I am relieved that earlier this Year Congress passed lifetime funding for the 9 11 Victims Compensation fund. Yes, evil men took much from us that day, but the heart and soul of america, the courage and tenacity, the ability to endure and stand, no enemy can take away from us. The work of those caring individuals who answered the call that day must go on. Just as our work will go on to secure our nation to ensure that we will never again suffer the injury we did on that morning. But today on september 11 we pause from that work to remember and to honor the victims and to acknowledge the service of 9 11 is not just something to be memorialized but to be emulated. To put service above self. May we stand united and serve in the peoples house with courage, devotion, gallantry, compassion, and grace. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia, mr. Riggleman, for five minutes. Mr. Riggleman thank you, madam speaker. 18 years ago america experienced the worst act of terrorism in its history. Nearly ,000 people were killed. Many others in Emergency Services and Law Enforcement suffering long Lasting Health complications sometimes resulting in death. September 11, 2001, a day none of us will ever forget, had a deep and Lasting Impact on the lives of all americans. I was one of the thousands who answered the call to serve and to hunt down those responsible. When i woke on that tragic day i was serving in the United States air force as an Intelligence Officer at Mount Home Air force base in idaho th the 366th wing, the b1 bombers. I was and am a proud mounton home gunfighter. Our squadron bloid almost immediately as the oncall wing. Early in october i and my siblings were in the first bombing to afplgt memories come to my mind as vividly as yesterday. Buttoning the uniform when my wife yelled up the stairs a plane hit new york. And a phone call in no Uncertain Terms needed to get in the squadron and working through the night while the base was in lockdown and much of the congresstry was in a fog. Trying to answer questions from my young daughter, wife, and friends what was happening. You are seeing my daughter here as i came home from deployment. My memories are not unique. Every american has a different viewpoint on what happened that day. Some lost friends or family. And the tragedy we as a nation felt that day should not be forgotten. The impact of those attacks were not limited to that day. Heroic americans responded with valerie and bravery. One of the most heinous acts ever committed on american soil did not bring us down but brought us together. In the forts of former president george w. Bush one of the worst days saw some of the bravest acts. I still remember the feeling standing on the tarmac and watching from the plane as my three daughters, younger than 10, waved small american flags from down below. I was deployed on active duty and spending the next weeks planning bombing runs in afghanistan to respond these attacks. Our armed forces are asked to make sacrifices, leaving their families. But after 9 11 when so Many Americans had sacrificed so much more, my brothers and sisters in arms were willing to make that sacrifice. Inspired by the heroism of so many firefighters, First Responders, Law Enforcement, and citizens who answered the call we nufe that america would emerge stronger. 18 years later we remember the heroes of 9 11, honor their sacrifice, and admire their patriotism. Their memories will last forever because we will never forget what they gave us. Heroic 34er7bs answered the called. I was proud to serve were heroes like eli, scar, jimbo, rooster, amongo, lost, crankle, sergeant lowry, psycho, sassy, tank, rachel, linda, and so many more. From ground zero in new york to the pentagon american heroes answered the call and we are forever in their debt. God bless the United States of america. I yield my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair the speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Costa, for five minutes. Costa i ask unanimous consent to address the house for revise and and to extend my remarks. I rise to recognize the people on 9 11. Their lives most remember where therm on that day. There have been a few times in that we ns history have faced such an atrocity. Nd the effects are still being felt today. But instead of shrinking in the shadow of such adversity, we challenge and came together to help one another. We became a nation of one. It also has changed our nation and the world we live in today forever. Way we work, the way we view security. This past july i was pleased that the house and senate and reauthorized the 11 reauthorized the 9 11 Victims Compensation fund, those that answered the call after the attack in new york and d. C. Ngton, hese heroic men and Women Deserve all the help we can give them and we must never forget. September 11,