Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 4
9/11/01 Presidential statement - draft 2 THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN Today, our fellow citizens --our way of life -- our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or their offices, secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers - Moms and Dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness - and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat - but they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they can't touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel buildings, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining.