Governor's Speech
By Gray Davis
(California Governor)
10/9/2001
Sacramento
"On September 11th, freedom itself came under attack.
"Today, Californians of every faith, of every background, have come together to honor
the victims and heroes of America's tragedy.
"They paid a terrible price for our freedom, as much as any soldier who ever fought in any war.
And now, in the dark shadow of memories that must not fade, we gather to seek the light of God's
healing grace for those lost and those who loved them.
"In the names and faces of those we mourn, the world sees our greatest strength.
"They were brothers and sisters of every race, creed and religion on the face of the earth;
yet, bound together by a common commitment to freedom and a common pride in being an American.
"They embodied the American ideal: liberty imbued with humanity, unity blessed with diversity.
And they were killed because of it.
"The men and women we honor today were not just a part of America. They were the heart of America.
"They were husbands and wives. Mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. We can see them even
today in the love that shines in their families' tears.
"They were Pentagon personnel, who gave their last full measure of devoted
service to our country.
"They were bond-traders and businesspeople, some who paused to help aging colleagues down the
stairs, heroic acts of humanity that ultimately cost them their lives.
"They were workers, some 100 stories above the ground, others 30,000 feet in the air,
many of whom gave their last breath to call a loved one and simply say "I love you."
"They were 246 airline passengers bound for California - some who summoned epic courage
in a heroic defiance of terror.
"It is now believed that the United States Capitol - a shining symbol of freedom and democracy
around the world - was marked for destruction.
"But the men and women of United Flight 93 had other ideas.
"They knew, as Thomas Burnett told his wife, Deena, during their final phone call, that if they
didn't "do something, people would die."
"Armed with this knowledge and steeled by courage, they made Flight 93 a final stand against terror.
"They told the people they loved that they would die fighting so others would live - and that's
exactly what they did.
"How many thousands of people are alive today because those passengers were willing to act?
We may never know. But this we do know. Because of these courageous passengers, Flight 93 was
freedom's finest hour.
"The heart of America can be found in a beloved New York fire chaplain who died giving last rites
to a fallen fireman.
"And it can be found in police officers and firefighters - public servants to the end who taught
us that New York's finest and bravest are also America's finest and bravest.
"Three hundred and forty three firefighters gave their lives at the World Trade Center.
They didn't work there. They went there.
"While thousands fled, they charged straight into the mouth of sacrifice. While others raced down
the stairs, they ascended toward a burning sky, compelled by the dogged call of duty.
"On the stairwell of the 86th floor, a civilian stopped to ask a fireman why he was going up when
everyone else was going down. "Because it's my job" was the hurried reply.
"That firefighter and his brethren were fallen soldiers who rose to freedom's challenge.
They were defenders of good against the advance of evil. They are the first war heroes of the
21st century.
"For the sake of lives that could yet be saved, they stared horror in the face and did not hesitate.
Because it was their job.
"The victims of this terrible tragedy came from America and many other countries around the world.
"Through their sacrifice, we are reminded that freedom is not just America's fight. It's the fight
of every free, law-abiding person on this planet.
"We're honored to have the Consul Generals of more than 50 different nations here today.
We mourn for the loss of your fallen countrymen.
"We stand today with those who stood for all that is good in America. Not just for those we lost,
but also for those who answered the call.
"To the many schoolchildren who are here today, I say heroes walk among us.
"In our Urban Search and Rescue Teams, men and women who gave every waking hour in a valley of death
to the hope of finding life.
"In our relief workers and volunteers represented here today by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
"In the California National Guard and local law enforcement who have put their own lives on hold to
protect our safety here at home.
"And, of course, in our Armed Forces, who are - at this very moment - defending the cause
of freedom and justice far from home but not far from our hearts.
"Today, we pray for the success of their mission. We pray for their safe return.
And we stand here united in support of our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush.
"On September 11th, 2001, we awakened to an America that, like the skyline of New York,
was changed forever.
"Every one of us now has a solemn obligation to the victims and heroes of that day to help
this great nation remain worthy of their sacrifice.
"They gave us the gift of their future. Now, in their memory, we owe a better future to their
children and to all of God's children.
"In 1966, Robert Kennedy said that: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve
the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope . . .
Those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
"So many have given their lives, some knowingly, others unwittingly.
"Now, each of us has a profound duty to forge a new world - free of fear, filled with hope.
"We must rebuild what was torn down.
"We must continue to be a beacon of love and tolerance.
"We must create a rushing current of compassion that will sweep away the bitter residue of terror.
"St. Paul said unto us: we will not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
"To those we lost and those still with us, let us resolve to overcome evil with good.
That is our promise to you, so help us God.
Amen."
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