Sarah McBride

“I am remembering the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terrorist attacks 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. I also want to honor the first responders and ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save others that day.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the lives lost 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. What started as a beautiful Tuesday in September turned into a day of horror, as nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the deadliest terrorist attack against our Nation in history. Two and a half decades later, our hearts go out to all those for whom that day brought a fateful call, for some from a loved one in a plane or trapped in a burning building and for others, in the hours or days after, to learn that their missing parent, child, or sibling had perished. Across our country, Americans will gather for this somber commemoration to pay tribute to the lives lost in Lower Manhattan, Northern Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, and to recommit to the charge echoed so often in the aftermath of the attacks to never forget. Let us never forget the tragedy and loss of that day nor the heroism that illuminated a nation in one of its darkest hours. As planes were hijacked, fires raged, and fear struck in the hearts of Americans everywhere, heroes literally ran into the fire and charged a cabin, sacrificing themselves to save others; first responders flocked to the Twin Towers and into the Pentagon to save lives; and firefighters, police officers, medical providers, and ordinary citizens confronted death and destruction to save as many lives as they could. As the long effort to find those missing began after the towers fell, many left their own families to focus full time on digging through smoldering rubble to find as many survivors as possible. Many who dedicated months of their lives to that rescue mission saw their own lives cut tragically short from the toxins they inhaled at Ground Zero. The sacrifice of those on the ground was matched by those in the air above Pennsylvania that morning, as the bravery of passengers on Flight 93 saved countless lives in our Nation’s Capital. Once they realized the fate before them--targeting either the White House or the very building we stand in today--they decided to act. These passengers, who were strangers just 2 hours before, joined together to intervene in a cruel plot to attack the very symbols of freedom and democracy. That was the power of the heroism on and after September 11. There were no strangers to those who risked everything to save anyone. As I stand in this Chamber 25 years later, I remain as inspired by their service and sacrifice as I was as an 11-year-old watching on TV. When I think about how scared all of us were on that day, I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Mr. Rogers, who shared that when he was young and used to see something scary on the news, his mother would tell him to look for the helpers. On that day and in the days and weeks that followed, helpers were everywhere. Heroes were everywhere. Mr. Speaker, 25 years later, let us not only remember, but let us also recommit ourselves to summoning just a fraction of the courage of the helpers in the wake of that tragedy. May God bless the memories of those lost, and may we remember the enduring legacy of courage that saved lives two and a half decades ago.”

“Six years ago, Congressman John Lewis died. He spent his life fighting for civil rights and voting rights. Today, those voting rights are under attack in Congress and in the courts. We must keep fighting to protect them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark both the anniversary of a profound loss and the reminder it serves at this moment in our Nation’s story. Six years ago, Congressman John Lewis passed away. He was a titan of the civil rights movement, who worked tirelessly to deliver justice, expand equality, and secure the right to vote for every American, including Black Americans. Today, however, we are navigating a moment where the work he devoted his life to is increasingly under threat. We have seen executive actions that would make it harder for Americans to vote. We have witnessed renewed attempts to undermine confidence in our elections and intimidate those who administer them. Right now in this very Congress, we are facing a renewed push to establish what amounts to a modern day poll tax on Americans. Most recently, the Supreme Court has facilitated the dismantling of Black political representation in this Chamber and green-lit racial discrimination in voting so long as the proponents simply say it is for partisan purposes. Congressman Lewis often spoke of his hopefulness for the future because he was adamant that tomorrow could be better and more just than today. It is our job to pick up that mantle and continue that work. In 2020, while commemorating the anniversary of Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Congressman Lewis reminded us of his important rallying call, to get into what he called good trouble, to help redeem the soul of America. Throughout his miraculous life, he never lost faith in the central ingredient of change, the necessary foundation of democracy, his belief in the capacity for other people to change, and, therefore, for our country to change. He reminds us that hope is not reserved for moments when progress feels inevitable or easily attainable. We must harness it, most especially in moments like this one. When the reasons for hopelessness seem greatest, that is when the legacy of good trouble, necessary trouble, is most essential.”