Pelosi Remarks at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring The Fallen Heroes of September 11

"When we visit the memories of September 11, we tread on sacred ground.  Thirteen years ago, the world watched a clear Tuesday morning as we suffered loss we could not imagine – and witnessed heroism we will never forget.

"Today, we come together once more in reverence to those sacred memories; to help consecrate those sacred places where so many lives were lost, and so many were saved.

"We are honored to have the Secretary of the Interior; our Whip, Mr. Hoyer; our president of the firefighters, Mr. Schaffer; my fire chief Mrs. Hayes-White from California – so many distinguished guests who have sacrificed so much for our country – including Max Cleland.  So it's an honor to be here with Senator Casey and Chairman Shuster, representatives of one of the areas so affected; and with our Speaker, Mr. Boehner, thank you for making this occasion possible, Mr. Speaker and with Leader McConnell.

"I think we can all agree that as many ceremonies that we may participate in, this is singular in terms of how deeply rooted our sorrow is and how broad our respect is for our heroes.

"Again, in this very center of our democracy, in the center of this Capitol, we bestow these Congressional Gold Medals to our memorials in New York, in Pennsylvania and across the Potomac – as the sign of a never-ending commitment to the heroes of that day.

"Today, we present these medals to the president, Joseph Daniels, of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, in recognition of the men and woman who rushed up the stairs and ran into the smoke, among many other acts of heroism.  To Gordon Felt, President of Families of Flight 93 – in recognition of passengers and crew who charged up the aisle, as the Senator and the Chairman described.  To James Laychak, president, Pentagon Memorial Fund – in recognition of those slain serving our country.

"With these medals, we honor the heroism of first responders and ordinary citizens.  We celebrate them in that capacity, but also we remember them as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, family and friends.  We remember the perseverance of the loved ones they left behind, and the advocacy of the 9/11 families who turned their grief into action to make our nation safer, as Senator Casey mentioned.

"President Lincoln once cautioned of ‘the silent artillery of time,' wearing away at our memories.  We pray that the years might ease the pain of the bereaved; but never let time lessen the deeds of the departed.  Because of them, because of the acts and deeds of millions of Americans, we found hope in the face of despair, strength in the wake of fear, unity in the shadow of loss.

"Today, we renew our vow: time shall not dim the memory of our fallen heroes.  Their courage adds luster to these awards; for we know their deeds will shine forever.  Let their lives be a blessing to their beloved.  Let their sacrifice inspire all to greater compassion and humanity.  Let us resolve – in their name – that this date, marked by terror, will belong to bravery.

"God has truly bless America with our fallen heroes of 9/11.  May God continue to bless the United States of America.  Thank you."