Friends,

Today marks a somber occasion: 21 years ago, we faced the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history. My thoughts are with all who lost their lives on that day, and the families who still mourn their absence.

Everyone who is old enough has a story about where they were on that day. I would like to take a minute to tell you my story: On September 11, 2001, I was three weeks into my freshman year of college at American University in Washington, DC and was just making my way in the world as a young adult who had left home for the first time.

From my love of history, I went to college to study political science and less than a month after my mom moved me into the dorms, the world changed before my eyes.

I received a phone call from my roommate’s mother and I turned on the television to see the second plane hit the World Trade Center. My roommate was already in a class and I didn’t know what to do next, so I went to class myself. The teacher excused us and looked at us and said “I’m so sorry you have to go through this at such a young age.”

Back in my dorm room the phone lines were down and I didn’t know that my mother was at work in downtown Detroit panicking and trying to reach me. She had everyone in her office trying to call me. You see, one of the last conversations we had before 9/11 was about my political science class that was going to take us all throughout Washington — I told my mom we were getting to go to the Pentagon and the Capitol.

She didn’t realize that this class did outside of classroom visits on Wednesdays and 9/11 was on a Tuesday. We never got the phone lines to work that day, but AOL instant messenger on my big desktop computer was working and I was able to type her a message and let her know I was okay and alive. Unfortunately for too many families that day — they were not as fortunate.

The rest of that Tuesday was a blur. I spent the evening trying to help the campus. Our food service workers couldn’t commute, so I helped in the cafeteria cleaning and serving. I was trying to do whatever it took to make things feel normal for my peers. I don’t remember how I fell asleep that night but I managed to.

There were plenty of friends and classmates at American University who were connected to the World Trade Center or the Pentagon. Some dropped out or transferred due to stress and wanting to be back with family.

My best friend who was attending Michigan State was slated to visit me for fall break. She ended up taking one of the first flights that started running again to Washington, DC for that trip. Also in October, a Seaholm classmate and I had plans to see our favorite musician at Radio City Hall in New York City. We still made the trip in later October for the show. I remember the city had a certain camaraderie even though it was very vacant following the attack.

As I grappled with the aftermath of the 9/11 attack, the answer became more clear: I knew I wanted to walk the path of public service.

Two decades later, I’m proud to represent my community in Congress. I will always fight for Michigan, for working families, and for our essential workers, first responders, and veterans.

Our country is resilient, and I’ve never been more sure: we are stronger together and there is still so much more that unites us as Americans than will ever divide us.

Sincerely,

Haley Stevens