Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement on the 10^th anniversary of the terror attacks that took place on September 11^th, 2001. On Saturday, Schwartz attended the Flight 93 Memorial Dedication in Shanksville, PA for a day of remembrance.  

“Like most Americans, I can recall exactly where I was when hearing of the tragic events on the morning of September 11, 2001. As a State Senator at the time, I was preparing to speak at a Jewish women’s organization when planes struck the north tower of the World Trade Center, followed by the south tower, the Pentagon, and a field in my home state of Pennsylvania.

“I experienced the overwhelming emotions—disbelief, fear, grief, and the willingness to help any way I could—which were shared by millions of other Americans who watched the news coverage unfold.

“My husband and older son are both medical professionals and were asked to be on call in the event that Philadelphia personnel would be needed to help treat victims of the World Trade collapse. My younger son had just moved to Washington, DC. Along with millions of other parents across this nation, I was unable to contact my son and worried for him and other family members.

“As the morning wore on, I contacted the organization assuming that they would cancel their event. To my surprise, the women had decided to convene as scheduled. They refused to let terrorists dictate their lives—not in Philadelphia or Israel or any other place where freedom is a value cherished above nearly all others.

“As an elected official, and more importantly in that moment as an American, it was my duty to deliver that speech as planned. I was proud that I did—standing with others in our community at a time of great national uncertainty.

“Ten years later, our nation is strong. We are more secure at home, more aware of the threats against us, and action we have taken has crippled the Al-Qaeda organization. While our country changed forever, America has retained its central values of freedom, liberty, and democracy.

“On this September 11th, we grieve for the victims and celebrate the heroes of that day. Many of our fellow Americans have paid the ultimate price to protect our nation here at home and around the world. Today, we come together and honor their sacrifice, because that day—no matter what your political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity—we were all Americans.”

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