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Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens,
our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a
series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks.
The victims were in airplanes
or in their offices – secretaries, businessmen and women,
military and federal workers. Moms and Dads. Friends and
neighbours.
Thousands of lives were
suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The
pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning,
huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief,
terrible sadness and a quiet, unyeilding anger.
These acts of mass murder
were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.
But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people
has been moved to defend a great nation.
Terrorist attacks can shake
the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot
touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel,
but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for
attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and
opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light
from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil,
the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the
best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with
the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give
blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the
first attack, I implemented our government’s emergency
response plans. Our military is powerful and it’s
prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City
and Washington, DC to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get
help to those who have been injured and to take every
precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the
world from further attacks.
The functions of our
government continue without interruption. Federal agencies
in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening
for essential personnel tonight and will be open for
business tomorrow.
Our financial institutions
remain strong, and the American economy will be open for
business as well.
The search is underway for
those who are behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the
full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement
communities to find those responsible and bring them to
justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists
who committed these acts and those who harbour them.
I appreciate so very much the
Members of Congress who have joined me in strongly
condemning these attacks. And, on behalf of the American
people, I thank the many world leaders ho have called to
offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and
allies join with all those who want peace and security in
the world and we stand together towin the war against
terrorism.
Tonight I ask for your
prayers for all those grieve, for the children whose worlds
have been shattered, for all those whose sense of safety and
security has been threatened. And I pray they will be
comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through
the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of earth, I fear no evil, for you are
with me."
His is a day when all
Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for
justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before,
and we will do so this time.
None of us will ever forget
this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that
is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night and God
bless America.
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