Homeland Top Republican John Katko Reflects on 9/11 Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. John Katko (R-NY), top Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement reflecting on the 21st anniversary of the devastating attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001.

“Today we reflect on the most devastating attack on our nation, that sought to destroy the American way of life, but failed to account for the strength of our American resilience. We remember the thousands of lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and we honor those heroes who responded to the call to serve without thinking twice. Despite adversity, we’ve proven that American resolve cannot be shaken. In the days, weeks, and months following September 11th, we saw the true spirit of America in countless acts of courage and kindness.

“The Department of Homeland Security was founded shortly after 9/11. Charged with unifying government efforts to prevent future information and intelligence sharing failures, the DHS mission is more vital now than ever before. However, there is still significant work to be done before we can confidently say the Department has upheld that mission.

“Twenty-one years later, while the threat landscape has changed, we find ourselves in an eerily similar threat environment to pre-9/11. History reminds us that our homeland is less secure when the United States allows for the creation of terrorist safe havens abroad.

“While 9/11 is a somber reminder of the fragility of our security, it must also serve as a reminder that an inability to connect the dots to effectively secure our nation against the threats of tomorrow is simply unacceptable. Republicans, specifically those on the Homeland Security Committee, are steadfastly committed to ensuring we never forget the lessons we learned from September 11th.”

View Ranking Member Katko’s remembrance message on September 11th below. 

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