By: Jesse J. Holland
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - With tears, resolve and gratitude,
Congress remembered the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks
Wednesday through memorial services and speeches
at a flag-draped Capitol they believe was spared that day
only through the heroism of passengers of Flight 93.
"We'll join in the mourning of those we lost," said
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., before heading to the Pentagon.
"We're grateful for the stronger nation we are today, and
the indomitable spirit of our citizens."
A year ago, House and Senate members stood shocked
outside the Capitol looking at the black plume of smoke
rising from the Pentagon across the Potomac River, an
image that stayed with many of them.
"For many of us, the emotions and shock, the disbelief and
horror, we experienced as individuals and as a people and
a nation are still fresh," said Sen. George Allen, R-Va.
On Wednesday, they joined President Bush at the Pentagon
for a memorial service before returning to the Capitol for a day
of remembrance through speeches and proclamations.
"The Pentagon, of course, is a symbol of our government,"
said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D - N.D. "I just want to be there."
The Senate and House then jointly shut down at noon to
jointly hold a moment of silence for the victims in the
World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pennsylvania.
"On this day, we remember. We remember as we will every
year on Sept. 11, those tragic events that our nation experienced,"
said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
For some lawmakers, the day was about remembering the
heroes of Flight 93, whose passengers and crew have been
hailed as heroes for struggling to take back their hijacked
plane from four terrorists. House and Senate members believe
the fourth airliner would have struck the Capitol if it had not
been stopped by the passengers.
"It is a day to remember that this Capitol would have been
struck a year ago today but for the heroism of the people on
the flight that went down in Pennsylvania," said House Minority
Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., as he and House Speaker
Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., led House members and workers in a
moment of silence across from the Capitol.
"Today is a day to remember how fortunate we all are to be
alive," Gephardt said.
Two al-Qaida fugitives also told satellite station Al-Jazeera that
the Capitol was the fourth American landmark on al-Qaida's Sept. 11
hit list. However, Abu Zubaydah, a top al-Qaida leader in U.S. custody,
told interrogators that the White House was the fourth plane's target,
U.S. officials have said.
House Majority Leader Richard K. Armey of Texas barely held back
tears as he lauded the attacks' heroes and victims, and promised that
America would forever pursue the perpetrators.
"Let me just say to those of you who are still out there plotting and
scheming: do not underestimate our American heroes," said Armey,
R-Texas. "They are young, they are bright, they are strong, they
have courage and they will in fact bring you down."
Lawmakers also will recreate their moment of defiance to the terrorists,
with House and Senate members coming together again on the steps
of the Capitol Wednesday evening to sing "God Bless America."
"A year later, we're a stronger nation," said Hastert, wearing a red,
white and blue lapel pin. "We have not, nor will we ever, succumb
to these terrorist threats."
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