Hoyer Statement on Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring Fallen Heroes of 9/11

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after attending the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001: 

“Today I joined my Congressional colleagues to award three Congressional Gold Medals in honor of those who perished in the terrible attacks on September 11, 2001.  It was a day marred by tragedy but forever marked by extraordinary acts of courage and human kindness in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, where these gold medals will be permanently displayed. 

“From the first responders who ran headlong into danger to save the lives of others to strangers who comforted one another in their final moments, the heroism we celebrate today ought to be a reminder to those who attacked us that America’s true strength lies not in our might but in our compassion and sense of responsibility for one another and in the values we hold dear.   Tomorrow we will mark thirteen years since the loss of 2,977 Americans and foreign nationals on that day, and we will gather in our communities to reflect on the events of that day and reaffirm our national commitment to ensure that their heroism is never forgotten.”