Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard: “For many of us, this day eight years ago will be forever etched in our memories.  As we observe flags at half-staff, we will be reminded of exactly where we were and what we were doing as news reports surfaced of the terrible tragedy unfolding that day in our nation’s history.  While those acts of evil and terrorism took away innocent lives that can never be replaced, we, as a nation, worked through the shock and grief together and became stronger and more unified.  That is why, today and on this day well into the future, we must all take the time to observe and reflect, not only for those whose lives were lost and for their loved ones, but also for the generations that follow.  They must know what happened.  They must know of the men and women on United Airlines Flight 93 who died in rural Pennsylvania after coming to the consensus that the flight was heading to Washington, D.C.  We must pay tribute to all of the men and women who lost their lives on September 11 in New York, Arlington and in Pennsylvania and to all of our members of the Armed Services who continue to fight to protect our freedoms and way of life, and especially to those who will make the ultimate sacrifice.  They are all selfless heroes and we are forever in their debt.  May God bless them and may God bless America.”