Dear Friends, 

Please see below for Statements from Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan; the RNC Statement on the Anniversary of 9/11; a video message from President Bush that was released last year; a Proclamation by Governor Rock Scott for the First Annual Patriot Day to be observed in Tallahassee; statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, Congressman Connie Mack, Congressman Allen West; statements from Adam Hasner and Karen Harrington; as well as my own personal experience from 9/11.

God Bless America,

Richard DeNapoli

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"Eleven years ago, evil descended upon our country, taking thousands of lives in an unspeakable attack against innocents. America will never forget those who perished. America will never stop caring for the loved ones they left behind. And America shall remain ever vigilant against those who would do us harm. Today we again extend our most profound gratitude to our brave troops who have gone into battle, some never to return, so that we may live in peace. On this most somber day, those who would attack us should know that we are united, one nation under God, in our determination to stop them and to stand tall for peace and freedom at home and across the world."

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Paul Ryan today made the following statement on September 11th:  

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"May God bring comfort to the families of the victims of 9/11 this day, and may He always bless the United States of America."  

President George W. Bush Remembers 9/11 Tenth Anniversary

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 Governor Scott issues Patriot Day Proclamation in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Flags are set to fly at half-staff:

WHEREAS, September 11, 2012, marks the eleventh anniversary of the unprovoked and horrific terrorist attacks that resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 citizens of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, we remember the men and women who perished as a result of those horrendous attacks and share the sorrow of their families and loved ones; and

WHEREAS, we thank and honor the bravery and courage of our civilian and military first-responders and emergency personnel for their quick and selfless actions; and

WHEREAS, it is also important to remember the countless men and women of our armed forces who have lost their lives in support of the war on terror, and those who remain steadfast in the commitment to fighting radicalism across the globe; and

WHEREAS, individuals, organizations and communities throughout our Country and throughout the State of Florida will gather on this eleventh anniversary to perform acts of charity, to pray, and to comfort and support one another as they honor our nation and the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, by joint resolution approved December 18, 2001, Public Law 107-89, the Congress of the United States has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress of the United States has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby proclaim September 11, 2012, a National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon the people of our great state to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to remember and honor those who were killed on September 11, 2001, in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. In addition, I hereby direct the flags of the United States of America and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Furthermore, I encourage other governmental entities and interested groups and organizations throughout the State to display the National and State flags at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day, a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

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Eleven years ago today, our country tragically lost nearly 3,000 people in the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. As we remember those who lost their lives on that day, let us reflect on how our nation came together in a time of need. Americans consoled and supported each other. We encouraged one another to focus on recovery rather than adversity.

I am eternally grateful to our military for what they do every day to protect our nation. It is because of their selfless service that America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. To those of you who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001, my thoughts and prayers remain with you.

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Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater:

Today we recognize Patriot Day, a day that has been designated each year to remember the 2,997 individuals who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

No American will ever forget where they were when they heard the news of the attacks on that day. We mourn those who were lost but we also celebrate their legacies. Out of the ashes and destruction we heard stories of bravery and selflessness - stories of ordinary people who rose to great heights in the face of evil. Unexpected heroes leapt into action to defend their fellow man and banded together in the recovery efforts of the following days.

On that day, America showed the world the character of a free nation. Our strength and resilience will be noted in the history books long after you and I are gone.

Patriot Day reminds us that we never know what each new day may bring. Let us be inspired by the legacies of dedicated first responders and unexpected heroes to live each day to the fullest. In this way, we vow to honor those who lost their lives - not just today but forever.   

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As we honor and commemorate the service and sacrifice of those lost in the wake of September 11th, may their memory renew in all of us the courage and compassion found throughout our communities. The events surrounding September 11th represent the strength of our country and its people, and serve as a reminder that no matter what differences we may share, we are Americans first. May we never forget the American heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, may our prayers remain with our men and women in uniform and may God continue to bless our great nation.

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Congressman Connie Mack released the following statement today on the eleventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks:

Eleven years ago today, our nation was given the ultimate test. We constantly remember the significance of that fateful day, and today we are stronger than ever as we continue to stand together as a nation.

Today we honor and remember those who lost their lives eleven years ago. We remember the Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom, and we shall never forget the sacrifices that were made on September 11, 2001 in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon.

We continue to pray for the victims, the families who lost loved ones, and the men and women who defend our freedom and security. We, as Americans, have shown our resilience, and we have proven that our freedom, courage and strength cannot be shaken.

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Congressman Allen West:

(WASHINGTON)- Congressman Allen West (R-FL) released this statement today on the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks:

"On this day, we remember the unconscionable attack by the Islamic terrorist group Al Qaeda on the United States of America. This attack resulted in the loss of thousands of men and women, and American lives were changed forever.

Even though 11 years have passed, we all remember where we were when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in western Pennsylvania. The attack resulted in the loss of mothers, fathers, children, teachers, business people, firefighters, police officers, members of our armed forces, and many more victims who were doing nothing more than going to work or boarding an airplane.

On that September morning, America was a vulnerable target. Our adversaries believed we were a "sleeping giant" that had drifted back to sleep. Instead, this atrocity awoke the "giant" and resulted in a reaction from our country against those who wished to tread upon us.

Today, thanks to the brave warriors of the American Armed Forces and our Allies, Osama Bin Laden is dead, Al Qaeda has been diminished in Afghanistan and much of the Middle East and America has yet to see another attack of this magnitude on American soil.

Still, even with all of these accomplisments, we cannot become complacent. Since 9/11, several attacks have taken the lives of innocent Americans. The attacks on Fort Hood, Texas, as well as an attack at a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, and last year's attacks on Americans serving overseas in Germany, in addition to numerous attempts here and overseas are evidence a radical, hateful, determined enemy still exists and is just as dangerous as ever.

We must be evermore vigilant and resolute to crush this enemy and prevent its resurgence and fulfillment of its global aspirations. Because of this enemy, America must continue to fund its military and support its Armed Forces to the fullest extent. The lives of all Americans depend on it."

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Adam Hasner Statement on the 11th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks:

In the days that followed September 11, 2001 our country stood united. The best in each of us individually, and in our nation collectively, was brought out for the entire world to see. Issues of the day were set aside as we came together to mourn, heal, and prevail in the face of evil.

In remembering the Americans who died that day eleven years ago, and those men and women in our military who have given their lives in the years since defending our freedom and security, I hope we can again draw on the sense of purpose that united us then and continues to unite us today.

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Karen Harrington Statement on the Anniversary of the September 11 attacks:

We must not forget that the fight against Radical Islam is far from over, and that as Americans, we must stay vigilant against any future aggression to our American way of life."

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Dear Friends,

We all remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001.

Eleven years ago today, I was in New York City.  I was a law student at the time, and I was scheduled to have an interview at 8:45 AM at the New York City Law Department a block or so away from the World Trade Center.  I had declined the interview a couple of days before since I knew I had wanted to eventually return to Florida. 

It was primary day for the New York City municipal elections, and I was instead campaigning that morning on behalf of a Republican candidate for the New York City council in Queens outside of a voting location at a public school. 

There was not a cloud in the sky that morning.  I remember hearing the children say the pledge of allegiance before leaving the polling location.  I was living in the Bronx at the time, and after campaigning I had to head towards the Throgs Neck Bridge to get back home.  As I turned on the radio, it was strange not to hear any music but instead people talking about a plane hitting the World Trade Center.  Shortly before driving over the bridge, the radio announced that a second plane had hit, and while driving over the bridge I saw the horrible sight of the two towers on fire in the distance.

I made it back home to the Bronx and watched everything else unfold on television.        

September 11th was a defining moment in our history.  Let's remember and pray for all those who lost their lives on that fateful day, including the many first responders who died while trying to save others.  Let's remember and pray for our armed forces who continue to protect the U.S.A.  Though eleven years have passed, we must never forget what happened and we must always remain vigilant in the defense of our great nation.     

I will never forget.

God Bless America, 

Richard DeNapoli