Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, May 22, 2002

I've long admired a quote by former President Reagan, where he says that we don't have to look in history books to find heroes. Heroes are all around us, in every American city and town. On September 11, 2001, a number of us realized this in a very real, and very personal way.

It was shortly after, that the US went to war again. In its young history, our nation has stood up to injustice, and fought to defend her citizens against enemies of freedom. The war that we find ourselves in today is different in that we aren't fighting any one foreign nation, or any specific geographic region or state. We are at war against a state of mind - one that is represented by people who would take innocent lives to further a cause.

As Memorial day approaches, I find myself thinking yet again of all the people who were affected by last September's events. My thoughts focus not only on the people trapped in the World Trade Center and the hijacked planes, but also on their loved ones who were helpless to prevent the tragedies. As an elected official, I have worked hard on legislation to remedy the problems that made it easier for the terrorists to do what they did on September 11th. Some of my bills have been signed into law by President Bush. Two of note are, the USA-PATRIOT Act, which helps the Justice Department track and capture aliens suspected of terrorism, and the US Border Security bill, which enhances border security and requires the issuance of new, tamper-resistant visas and travel documents for foreigners.

I also think about how this year, Memorial Day will be more significant for many Americans. In addition to a patriotic understanding for the actions of those who gave their lives in our nation's wars thus far, many of us will have a personal understanding of what it means to sacrifice one's life for one's country. This will particularly be the case for our soldiers who are currently fighting in the Middle East, and who will spend this Memorial Day defending the principles that bind all Americans together.

This new appreciation for our nation, our soldiers, and for Memorial Day, will be symbolized by a minute of silence to be observed on Monday, May 27, at 3:00 PM local time. This is but one of the activities coordinated by the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance, which was created in December, 2000.

After that, we must continue to move forward. In New York City, the search for survivors at the World Trade Center will be called off on May 30, the date Memorial Day was originally observed. And as we continue on, it helps to remember the eloquent words of another former President, Abraham Lincoln:

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.

The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the

occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.

We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."

We have already started to think and act anew. Our resolve has been strengthened by the sacrifices of those before us. We will not forget what they have done, but rather, build upon those memories, and liberate ourselves by remembering and honoring our heroes through the actions we continue to take to save our country.

Jim Sensenbrenner, a Republican, represents the Ninth Congressional District of Wisconsin in the U.S. House of Representatives.