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9/11 Anniversary

Lawmakers across the country react to the 25th anniversary of 9/11

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today at 12:45 PM
Published 1:13 PM

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, NBC) - State and federal lawmakers are sharing their reaction to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

From Ground Zero to the Pentagon to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, people are remembering the nearly 2,980 people who died during the 9/11 attacks.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attending a ceremony at the Pentagon Friday morning, where the names of 184 people who were killed at the Pentagon were read.

During his remarks, President Trump paid tribute to the thousands of "beautiful souls ripped from our world on 9/11 25 years ago.

"In 25 years, a generation has passed since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Yet time has not dimmed the honor of that day when our country came face to face with true evil," the president expressed.

"We will always remember the victims and the families of September 11th, 2001, very famous date, unfortunately, and it started out as such a beautiful day. We will honor their lives. We will cherish their beautiful memories, and we will protect this country and its freedoms for every future generation," Trump added. "We will protect it like never before. For anyone who lived it, no words can do justice to the anguish of that day."

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"Twenty-five years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in an act of terror. Today, we remember those we lost, their families, the first responders who showed extraordinary courage, and the thousands more whose lives were changed forever. 

I piloted the first Space Shuttle mission after 9/11, STS-108. Aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, our crew carried three flags representing the places where lives were lost that day: an American flag recovered from Ground Zero, an American flag flown over the Pennsylvania State Capitol, and a U.S. Marine Corps Colors flag recovered from the Pentagon. We also carried thousands of smaller American flags and other tributes honoring those we had lost. 

I'll never forget seeing those flags in orbit with the Earth behind them. Less than three months after the worst attack in history on American soil, carrying those flags was a powerful reminder of what our country had been through and what we stood for. 

In the face of unimaginable loss, Americans came together. We looked out for one another, honored those who served, and showed the world that an attack meant to divide and weaken us would not succeed. 

Twenty-five years later, that spirit of service, courage, and unity still represents the best of America. It is something we should never take for granted.

We will never forget."

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"Today, we remember and mourn the innocent lives lost 25 years ago during the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in our nation's history.

We continue to stand with the families carrying the unimaginable grief of losing loved ones. We recognize the heroism and sacrifice of the many firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and other first responders who put their lives on the line. We remember the construction workers and countless others who worked tirelessly to rescue those they could, recover those who were lost, clear the rubble, and help New York rebuild – many at great cost to their own health. And we honor the Muslim and Sikh communities who faced bigotry and violence in the aftermath of the attacks because of their faith.

I had the solemn duty of serving as Acting Mayor of Los Angeles on September 11, 2001, and in the days that followed, I saw firsthand the fear and uncertainty that swept across our nation – a shadow that would linger over our daily lives for years to come. But I also witnessed the extraordinary outpouring of support, generosity, and compassion as we came together across race, religion, geography, and political party in common cause – all as Americans.

As we commemorate the lives lost and the sacrifices made twenty-five years later, we must remember that sense of unity and recommit ourselves to our shared values – compassion, courage, service, and the belief that together we can build a better world and a brighter future for all."

Other lawmakers also shared their reaction to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

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Dillon Fuhrman

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