Washington, D.C.– Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, issued the following statement memorializing the victims of September 11:
September 11 left an indelible mark on the canvas of our collective memory. None of us will soon forget the infamy of that day, just as we will never forget the selflessness and sacrifice of the courageous men and women who gave their own lives to save their fellow Americans. On 9/11, we witnessed great evil and unspeakable suffering. But in our nation’s response to tragedy, we also saw in full measure the innate goodness of the American people. We learned that, in moments of crisis, our capacity to come together for the good of the country is unparalleled.
Sixteen years have passed since the attack on our homeland, which means there is now an entire generation of Americans who will only understand September 11 through the lens of history. To those who died, we hold a solemn responsibility to keep their memories alive, so that their stories can inspire and educate the young Americans who may not remember 9/11, but whose lives were invariably shaped by the events of that day.