Text: Olson on Terrorist Attack Anniversary

eMediaMillWorks
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001

Following is the text of Justice Department Solicitor General Ted Olson on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Olson's wife, Barbara Olson, was killed in the attacks.

OLSON: I know that was for everyone that we're talking about today.

On September 11, three long months ago, our nation and our people were savagely attacked, thousands of our citizens were murdered, many suffered painful and disfiguring injuries and tens of thousands lost spouses, children, parents, other family members, neighbors, coworkers and friends.

This was a brutal assault on America, Americans and American ideals. The victims of September 11 were persons of all races, backgrounds, religions, ages and qualities. They were walking, talking, living symbols of all that America stands for to the impoverished, enslaved and persecuted people of the world who long to come to America or to live lives of freedom, democracy, equality and to pursue the right to happiness and prosperity.

The persons who planned and executed the atrocities of September 11 cannot prevail, they cannot even long exist while American ideals inspire the people they wish to tyrannize and enslave. These individuals are tyrants and so they hate democracy. They are bigots, zealots and persecutors and so they hate America's freedom, tolerance and respect for all people. The terrorists of September 11 live and flourish in darkness. They cannot survive in the liberating and inspirational sunlight of American freedom and democracy.

We have all been tragically reminded once again in the most unthinkable fashion that our principles are neither self-executing nor self-sustaining. As Thomas Jefferson sadly reminded us, ``The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of tyrants and patriots.'' But tyrants and terrorists, along with the rest of the world, are now learning that the freedom and openness of our society that made us vulnerable on September 11 also makes us ultimately invincible.

The values that made us free make us strong. The liberty that makes us prosperous makes us resourceful, innovative, resolute and the strength created by the bonding of countless cultures and peoples unify us and make us indomitable. Our citizens and our government stand together as seldom in our history. All of us know that the attacks of September 11 were an assault on every American and that every American is threatened by our assailants until they are conquered.

We will never forget our loved ones who died or who were wounded on September 11. The heroes that inspired us on that day so indelibly etched into our memories or the suffering that we have all experienced in thousands of individual ways on that day and since then. I say this for every American. We will fight this evil as long and as patiently as it takes. We will prevail. We will comfort and care for those who have suffered. We will not forget.