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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
DOL 9/11 Remembrance Program
September 11, 2007
Good morning. And thank you for being here at this very special remembrance.
Six years ago today, our country experienced a horrific terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 innocent people.
Some of those who lost their lives at the Pentagon and in New York were relatives or loved ones of members of our own DOL family.
Eloise Clark worked in the Solicitor's Office and at DOL for many years. Her daughter, Antoinette Sherman, perished in the attack on the Pentagon.
Paul Hylind works in ASP. His cousin, Paul Ruback, was a firefighter with Ladder Company 25 in New York City who perished trying to rescue others.
Keith Cooper, from our ESA regional office in New York, lost his brother, John. Another one of our ESA colleagues in New York, Julie Mordechai, lost her cousin, Daniel Ilkanayev.
Other members of our DOL family lost friends or knew someone who perished in the attacks. And we will never forget that for members of our DOL family in New York City, the horrors of 9/11 were up close and personal. DOL had regional offices at the World Trade Center and at Varick Street, near the Twin Towers.
So each and every year since, we have come together to remember those who perished, to honor them, and to reassure their family members and loved ones that they will never be forgotten.
In addition to honoring the innocent victims of 9/11, we also honor the heroic men and women who rushed towards danger that morning in hopes of saving others. Their heroism and sacrifice are examples of the best our country has to offer. And they continue to inspire us.
In the aftermath of that day, our country was united in compassion and in its resolve to ensure that the tragic events of that day would never happen again.
Today our men and women in uniform are putting themselves in harm's way to confront terrorists on their own ground, so that our country will remain safe. The surge of operations that began in June is improving security throughout Iraq. The level of violence is down, local governments are meeting again, police are more in control of the city streets, and normal life is returning. These successes are paving the way for the political reconciliation and economic progress the Iraqis need to transform their country. So we owe our men and women in uniform a tremendous debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
Now please join me — and our entire nation — in a moment of silent reflection at 8:46 am, the approximate time when the first plane hit the Twin Towers.
May God bless and keep the innocent victims, heroic rescuers, their families and loved ones, and all those who defend our freedom here and abroad. May their heroic examples and sacrifice remain in our hearts forever and inspire us to work for the day when all people will enjoy the blessings of freedom.
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