Date Created:
Year Created: 2001
Description: On the morning of September 11, 2001, shortly after the second plane struck the World Trade Center, President George W. Bush gave brief public remarks at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, where he had been scheduled to promote education policy. In this first official presidential statement following the attacks, Bush acknowledged the unfolding tragedy, calling it “a national tragedy” and “an apparent terrorist attack on our country.” Though details were still emerging, he assured the nation that the federal government’s full resources were being mobilized to support victims and launch a full investigation. His statement concluded with a call for a moment of silence, marking the solemn gravity of the situation and setting the tone for the national response that would follow. This moment would later be seen as the initial public turning point in the U.S. reaction to the 9/11 attacks.
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Office of the Press Secretary
September 11, 2001
Remarks by the President After Two Planes Crash Into World Trade Center
Emma Booker Elementary School
Sarasota, Florida
9:30 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America. I, unfortunately, will be going back to Washington after my remarks. Secretary Rod Paige and the Lt. Governor will take the podium and discuss education. I do want to thank the folks here at Booker Elementary School for their hospitality.
Today we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country. I have spoken to the Vice President, to the Governor of New York, to the Director of the FBI, and have ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help the victims and their families, and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.
Terrorism against our nation will not stand.
And now if you would join me in a moment of silence. May God bless the victims, their families, and America. Thank you very much.
END 9:31 A.M. EDT
Citation: “The Avalon Project : Remarks by the President after Two Planes Crash into World Trade Center 9:30 A.M. EDT; September 11, 2001.” Avalon.law.yale.edu, 11 Sept. 2001, avalon.law.yale.edu/sept11/president_008.asp.
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