Columns

Friday, September 6, 2002

9-11: america remembers

In Iowa's Interest - A Column by Tom Harkin

On September 11, Americans will join together in cities and towns across our great nation to remember those lost in last year’s terrorist attacks. While geography may separate us, a great cause brings us together. It is the cause of freedom and justice.

In the fight against terrorism there are no Republicans, no Democrats, only Americans. Our aim is to tear the wires from the international terror machine and make the world a safer place for all.

We have already made great progress. I am proud to report that the Congress and President Bush have worked together to strengthen airline safety, to protect Americans from bioterrorism, and to improve homeland defense. In the coming days and months, we will make every effort to protect our great nation.

Strengthening America is never just a job for the president or the Congress. I took great pride in the large number of Iowans who donated time and money to the relief efforts. When our nation was in need, Iowans leapt into action.

The Freeom Quilters from Varina made quilts for the families of victims. More than 2,500 brave Iowa National Guard members were called to defend freedom. The Musco Lighting Company from Muscatine immediately donated lighting equipment to assist in the World Trade Center recovery efforts. Quad-Cities fire departments collected more than $75,000 for the Uniformed Firefighters Association’s 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund.

We were only following the examples of the brave police, firefighters, and emergency services personnel who rushed to the scene in New York and at the Pentagon. When everyone else was running away from the danger, they were running toward it. We can never adequately repay them, but we must honor them today as well. It is the very least we can do for our heroes.

History will note that, on September 11, 2001, freedom was attacked. Planes were hijacked, buildings fell, and thousands of lives were lost nearly a thousand miles from here. But the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were really an attack on the heart of America.

And here in the heartland of America, we say in one voice: We will not give in to the terrorists; we will not rest until they are found and defeated. United, we will make every effort to protect our great nation, to find justice for those lost and for their families, and to work for a more just and peaceful world for all. That is my hope, and I believe, the hope of every American as we remember September 11.