WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement reflecting on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which took 2,977 innocent lives. 
 
“Twenty-three years ago today, our nation was forever changed. On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 al Qaeda-linked terrorists hijacked four planes and carried out unprecedented terrorist attacks on the United States of America. Today, we remember the brothers and sisters, the fathers and mothers, the sons and daughters we lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We also honor the first responders who died in the line of duty courageously trying to rescue their fellow Americans. 
 
“We are comforted by the fact that in the darkness of the days and weeks that followed, we came together as a nation to mourn, to heal, and to get justice for those we lost.
 
“While the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security work tirelessly to prevent another similar catastrophe, threats to our sovereignty and way of life have grown even more complex in the last two decades. A vulnerable border has now empowered America’s enemies around the world to target the homeland, the Chinese Communist Party is growing increasingly aggressive, and terrorist groups have regained a foothold in Afghanistan following the United States’ chaotic withdrawal.
 
“As we come together to remember this solemn day, we continue to pray for the families and loved ones of those we lost that day, as well as the brave men and women in uniform who lost their lives defending our country in the years that followed. Today, we must recommit ourselves to doing our part for this great nation, and ensuring the enemies of freedom never carry out such a devastating attack on American soil again.” 
 

###