George W. Bush
Text of the remarks delivered by President George W. Bush in his address to the nation Tuesday evening:
Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.
The victims were in airplanes or in their offices — secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.
Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government’s emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.
Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.”
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.
America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.
None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night and God bless America.
Richard Levin
Text of the remarks delivered by Yale President Richard Levin at a vigil on Cross Campus Tuesday evening:
I have always known this to be an extraordinary community, and to see all of you this evening is only to confirm what I have believed.
Unthinkable acts of terror were perpetrated against thousands of innocent victims. This is a tragedy that disturbs the integrity of our nation and threatens the peace of the planet. And it is a tragedy that reaches in personal terms to all of us.
What makes this moment so terrible is that there remains so much uncertainty. We not only grieve for the victims of this tragedy, but we suffer along with those who are still uncertain about the fate of family members and friends. At times such as these, we must come together as a community. Reach out to one another. Support one another.
Yale is a community of concern, and to those of you who grieve and to those of you who are afraid, I say, We will do everything we can to help and support you. I know that the generosity of spirit that pervades this community will prevail. I know that you will all help one another. But to those who need more, I say, Please seek help. Your deans, masters, teachers, all of the representatives of the Yale religious ministries, and the mental hygiene staff of the University Healh Service — we are all here for you, day and night.
We need to pull together as a community and help those with special vulnerability. Most obviously, those from the New York City and Washington areas who fear for loved ones. But also the new members of our community, first-year students who do not yet have deep roots here. Reach out especially to them.
We must also not rush to judgment. We do not yet know who was responsible for these attacks, but we should remember that it was the work of individuals — not the work of a people, a race, or a unified nation.
Let us not fracture our community.
Finally, I would ask you to consider what you might do to help the victims of this tragedy. There is an urgent need for contributions of blood. I would urge you to go to Yale-New Haven Hospital tomorrow after 7 a.m. or to the Omni-New Haven Hotel after 8 a.m. to give blood. Yale shuttle buses and vans will be available all day to take you to these locations.
Above all, take this occasion to care for one another, to pray for those who suffer in grief or uncertainty, to pray for justice and for peace on earth.