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Remarks Delivered by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Frances Perkins Building
Washington, D.C.
Friday, September 10, 2004
We are today here to commemorate the heroes, victims, and families of September
11, 2001.
This year, September 11th falls on a Saturday. But in 2001, it fell on
a bright, clear, sunny Tuesday.
All of us remember where we were on that morning and what we were doing
when our country was attacked.
September 11th was marked by tragedy, but also by uncommon valor,
compassion and resolve. Firefighters, policemen and other first responders
became our new national heroes. All Americans joined together to rush help
to those in need in the days, weeks and months that followed. Our DOL team
in New York City saw unspeakable sights, lost their offices, and yet persevered
in helping each other. And we showed a new national resolve to fight and
win the war on terrorism, which has been simmering for many years and
reached its culmination in these heinous acts.
Today, we also pay special tribute to our brave men and women in uniform.
They are taking the war on terrorism to our enemy, so we don't have to fight
it on our homeland soil again. I've met them in Iraq—they are so impressive.
Since September 11, 2001, they have liberated 50 million people from tyranny
in Afghanistan and Iraq and made our homeland more secure. Some of them have
paid the ultimate price to safeguard our freedoms, and we will never forget
their sacrifice. Today, we remember September 11, 2001 and the heroes, lost
loved ones and their families.
Now, the American flag will be unfurled—as it has been every year—in remembrance
of the losses of that day.
Thank you for coming.
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