“I remember the bright, blue morning of September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. And while our country has begun to heal from the wounds of those terrible attacks over the last decade, the scars remain. No matter how many years pass, we’ll never forget the thousands of innocent people who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.” (Full Text)

I remember the bright, blue morning of September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. And while our country has begun to heal from the wounds of those terrible attacks over the last decade, the scars remain. No matter how many years pass, we’ll never forget the thousands of innocent people who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brother and sisters, spouses and friends / who were simply doing their jobs or catching a plane. So it is fitting that we pause each year to pay tribute – and to remember.

The memories of that dark day in our shared history are painful, but they give me hope as well. On September 11^th, and during the difficult months that followed, Americans showed the world how a unified nation can fight back against darkness and fear. In the face of great evil, so many rushed forward to show great courage, dignity and kindness.

So today we also pause to remember the firefighters, who rushed into the World Trade Center, knowing they might never come out. We pause to remember the police officers and rescue workers who hurried to the scene, combed through the debris and shepherded New Yorkers to safety. Some of them gave their lives that day. We pause to remember the bravery of the members of our nation’s Armed Forces, intelligence community and Foreign Service, as well as the sacrifices of their families, who have borne the burdens of war for more than a decade. Too many have given their lives to the effort to crush al Qaeda, bring Osama bin Laden to justice and keep America safe. And we pause to remember the unbreakable spirit of these United States of America.

“One year ago, President Obama gave the order that brought Osama bin Laden to justice. That day, terrorist organizations that threaten our country received an unmistakable message: the United States will act against those that wish to harm us and attack our way of life.

“The brave military and intelligence professionals who carried out this operation achieved the most significant victory to date in our nation’s fight against al-Qaeda and terrorism. Their courage and their commitment to justice helped bring solace to our nation after a painful chapter in our history.

“Each day Americans deal with sadness and torment inflicted by terrorism, and today we remember loved ones and friends who tragically lost their lives to acts of terror directed by Osama bin Laden. We will always remember the courageous Americans who gave their lives to defend our country from his peril.

“While al-Qaeda’s leader is gone, the organization remains a threat and is motivated to bring harm to our nation, and we will never hesitate to use the full extent of our power to stop the threat of terrorism.”

I remember Tuesday, September 11, very, very clearly. Senator Daschle held his Tuesday morning leadership meeting and I was the first Senator in that room. John Breaux of Louisiana came in a short time later and he said something is going on in New York, flip on the TV, and we did. There was a tower burning. How could an airplane run into that tower?

Senator Daschle called the meeting to order. Just a short time after the meeting started somebody came in and took him out. He came back and said we have to vacate the building, there is an airplane headed toward the Capitol. We all hurriedly left. I remember that day so very, very clearly.

As we left, we could look out the window and see the smoke billowing out of the Pentagon. It was a very difficult day for all of us. Yesterday, we observed the tenth anniversary of those attacks, but the truth is I remember that day as if it were only yesterday.

That day, Osama bin Laden and his radical followers didn’t just launch an attack on planes or buildings. They launched an attack on the American spirit. They launched an attack on our freedom and democracy.

But rather than being crippled by the terrible acts of a group of madmen – rather than allowing the uncertainty and fear to rule us – this nation rose again, stronger than ever. And we did it by coming together.

The darkness of that day reminded us of our collective strength and power. It reminded us that there is nothing we cannot achieve together as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

So we pledged to bring justice to the perpetrators of those terrible attacks. And we have followed through on that pledge with an unfaltering campaign to dismantle al Qaeda and its supporters. This year our brave servicemen finally gave Osama bin Laden his due.

We also pledged to rebuild. I am glad to see the proud towers of the new World Trade Center rising from the ashes at Ground Zero.

That doesn’t mean the memory of that day is not still painful, especially to those who lost loved ones. Nothing can ever make up for the loss of a mother or father, a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a friend or a spouse who was just catching a plane or going to work on that horrific day.

They are the reason we will never, ever forget.

So today, as yesterday, I honor the memory of the thousands of innocent people who died at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and on hijacked planes in New York and Pennsylvania and Virginia.

I honor the memory of the firefighters, who knew the danger they faced when they entered those buildings, but went in anyway.

I honor the police and rescue workers who rushed to the scene, and combed through the debris, some of whom died that day.

I honor the many dedicated members of our armed forces, our State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and our intelligence community who have sacrificed their lives to keep us safe and to keep September 11^th from ever happening again.

And I honor America’s spirit of perseverance and commitment to freedom. May we never forget.

“Ten years ago today, smoke caused by a cruel and senseless terrorist attack billowed out of the Pentagon and the Twin Towers. Today we are reminded of the heartache and uncertainty of that morning. We mourn the mothers and the fathers, the sons and daughters of all races, religions, and nationalities who perished in New York, Virginia, andPennsylvania. We honor the bravery of the first responders who ran into raging infernos and collapsing buildings to save others, and we remember those who never came out. Each of the 2,977 innocent victims and their families are in our thoughts today.

“But they were not just victims, they were also heroes, as the passengers of United Flight 93 proved with their selfless act. They prevented a much larger tragedy and saved countless others, leaving a testament to America’s ability to rise from tragedy; proof of our resiliency. September 11 and its heroes made clear that at the end of the day, we are not Democrats, or Republicans, Nevadans or New Yorkers; that no matter our national or ethnic origin, we are Americans.”

“I take the threat of terrorism very seriously, and no one is more committed to hunting down terrorists and bringing them to justice, wherever they live, than I am. But I am deeply concerned about these hearings, which demonize law-abiding American Muslims who make important contributions to our society, as I would be about Congressional hearings to investigate Catholics, Jews or people of any other faith based solely on their religion.

“It is vitally important that we have a conversation about the serious challenge of domestic terrorism and how we can all work together to keep each other safe. But that conversation must be a collective one, not one that divides us based on religion.

“Among this country’s founding principles is the freedom of religion. However, any person who misuses religion – no matter what faith they follow – as an excuse for violence or to commit a crime betrays that principle.”