Statement of Senator Thomas R. Carper on the Tragedy of September 11, 2001

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Tom Carper today voted for a Senate resolution condemning yesterday’s terrorist attacks and committed the nation to bringing to justice those responsible. Carper issued the following statement concerning yesterday’s tragedy. “The bombing of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon is one of the greatest tragedies on American soil we have ever faced as a nation. We may have lost more American lives in one day than in any year during the war in Vietnam. First, we must grieve for the families directly affected. Our hearts and prayers go out to the parents, spouses, and children of the crew and passengers on the aircraft, those working in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the firefighters, police and paramedics who sacrificed their lives in their noble efforts to save others. Now is the time for us to unite as a people and a nation. We stand in solidarity with our President to reject this abhorrent terrorism. We stand together determined bring to justice those responsible for this cowardly act. In the chaos of September 11, thousands of families spent the day in fear of other reported attacks that proved to be untrue. In Washington DC, stories surfaced about possible car bombs outside the Capitol or explosions at the State Department. It is important to remember that every act of terrorist violence involved the hijacking and crashing of four domestic airplanes, three of which hit their targets. These attacks were planned and executed with chilling precision. In the wake of this tragedy, we are left with a sense of sorrow, a feeling of rage, and questions we must answer. How? Who? Why? How did this happen? Who was responsible? Why didn’t we know this was coming?”