Hoekstra Statement on the September 11th Terrorist Attacks
Congressional Desk
September 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement in commemoration of the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001:
"It´s no accident that our homeland has not been attacked in the years since 9/11, nor has it been a lack of desire on al-Qaeda´s part, it´s because we have prevented it. The pain and suffering we felt on that tragic day led us to act to prevent such attacks from happening again.
"As a result, admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is in American custody, and our nation´s intelligence agencies and Armed Forces have achieved many successes in disrupting other al-Qaeda and radical jihadist plots. Yet, the threats to our nation continue, and our best defense against preventing the next attack remains continued vigilance and aggressive pursuit of al-Qaeda and its affiliates where they reside.
"Years removed from 9/11, I cannot forget the pain of that day, of seeing the Pentagon burning and watching smoke billow from the World Trade Center and smoldering ground in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I will not forget the suffering of that day or that of so many families, friends and loved ones for whom this tragedy personally touched.
"I will also not forget the men and women who toil in silence stemming the tide of those who seek to harm us again -- they and their families are always in my thoughts. You may never know their names, the men and women of the CIA and the U.S. Intelligence Community who work in clandestine service to America, but know that they have been the unspoken bulwark for our great nation.
"As we commemorate another anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, let us remember what we have lost and the challenges that remain. Let us give thanks to those that have sacrificed and those that continue to sacrifice. And may we continue to pray, ´God Bless America.´"
"It´s no accident that our homeland has not been attacked in the years since 9/11, nor has it been a lack of desire on al-Qaeda´s part, it´s because we have prevented it. The pain and suffering we felt on that tragic day led us to act to prevent such attacks from happening again.
"As a result, admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is in American custody, and our nation´s intelligence agencies and Armed Forces have achieved many successes in disrupting other al-Qaeda and radical jihadist plots. Yet, the threats to our nation continue, and our best defense against preventing the next attack remains continued vigilance and aggressive pursuit of al-Qaeda and its affiliates where they reside.
"Years removed from 9/11, I cannot forget the pain of that day, of seeing the Pentagon burning and watching smoke billow from the World Trade Center and smoldering ground in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I will not forget the suffering of that day or that of so many families, friends and loved ones for whom this tragedy personally touched.
"I will also not forget the men and women who toil in silence stemming the tide of those who seek to harm us again -- they and their families are always in my thoughts. You may never know their names, the men and women of the CIA and the U.S. Intelligence Community who work in clandestine service to America, but know that they have been the unspoken bulwark for our great nation.
"As we commemorate another anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, let us remember what we have lost and the challenges that remain. Let us give thanks to those that have sacrificed and those that continue to sacrifice. And may we continue to pray, ´God Bless America.´"
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