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| John, Today is a dark day in our nation’s history. On this day 21 years ago, we lost over 3,000 Americans in the first terror attack on American soil – and lost thousands more in the years following. We will never forget. We will never forget the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who put themselves in harm's way to save people they never knew. We will never forget those who lost their lives on that day in the years that followed. We honor their courage and sacrifice. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Three months earlier on May 25th, 2001 I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. I had thrown my cap – or what we call a cover – in the air, raised my right hand taking the Oath of Office, and embarked on a career as an Officer in the Navy. In the last 21 years, we’ve seen things that have shaken our democracy to its core – including the 2021 insurrection at the Capitol. The pillars of democracy and freedom are two core tenets I’ve sworn to uphold six times before, and it’s something I have never and will never waver on. Every American is entitled to the values of life, liberty and democracy – and that is something I will be proud to uphold again in the halls of Congress. Today is a day for remembrance and it’s a day to mourn all of our fallen citizens, but it’s also a day that we vow to fight even harder to ensure the values this country was founded upon are those that will survive for generations to come. Thank you, Francis
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