Remarks from the Memorial Ceremony
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks
The University of Texas at Austin.
September 14, 2001
The river of life is an uncharted way. No one has mapped the placid stretches; no one warns us of the difficult, risky passages. There are surprises, sometimes jolting surprises.
We define our character—individually and as a community—by the values we respect even in the times of fierce challenge, when the temptation is strong to abrogate values in the interest of response. This is such a time. This is a time when we will be defining the character of America's next era.
The terror of Tuesday was, and remains, a challenge to core values of civilized humanity: Respect for the rule of law, respect for individuals, and rational stewardship of human possibility. The authors of violence wrote their own law, threw away the lives of thousands without asking even who they were, and sought only senseless destruction.
As we are challenged, we must surely respond, with the greatest of skill, imagination, intelligence, and effect. We must not let the forces of violence prevail over civilized society, but we must also not allow our own passion to undermine our civilizing foundation.
America is admired by many for its adherence to a dream. A dream to build a better nation based on values. Freedom, justice, opportunity, equality. We see a glimpse in the familiar hymn, "America the Beautiful," which expresses this petition:
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
How appropriate for this moment in our history.
The hymn also offers this passage:
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
The magic of the American dream is that it remains a living aspiration in the hearts, not only of Americans, but of millions upon millions across the globe. The patriot dream does indeed see beyond the years. Our cities are not of gleaming alabaster, and our land is never undimmed by human tears. But the dream has led us forward for 225 years. It has led us to strive to be better. That is what makes America a special place.
The University community is made up of people from all over the globe. The UT family is a reflection of all people who share our planet. We share this campus together. We aspire to common goals and values.
Let us respond to this tragedy by renewing our resolve to respect the rule of law and to respect individuals, especially our neighbors in our own community. Vengeance is less important than learning how to make the world a safer and more civilized place, and less important than retaining our best character as we respond in this time.
In 1860, as he fought to lead a nation on the verge of war, the great Abraham Lincoln offered a message that still resonates today:
"Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it."Before we respond, we must remember. The UT Tower will be darkened tonight and through the weekend in memory of the victims of this week's violence.
Our thoughts, our deepest sympathies, our earnest prayers are with those who suffered immediate loss in the attacks of last Tuesday. May God give rest to the souls of those taken, and comfort to their family members and friends. May He also give the remainder of us a solemn resolve, and the power, to defend the knowledge and wisdom that enables people to become, and to remain, human.
Now, let us observe a moment of silence in memory of those who perished in this week's tragedy.
Click Here for a printer friendly PDF version. PDF format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.
