WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04) issued the following statement on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001:

“Today marks 13 years since our nation was brutally and savagely attacked by the terrorist group al-Qaeda.

“The terrorists who perpetrated these heinous acts thought they could intimidate America and make us succumb to fear. They were wrong. We proved that the heart and spirit of these United States remain strong.

“September 11, 2001 will forever be remembered as a dark day in our history, but we also remember how we came together as a nation to show the rest of the world that freedom and democracy will always triumph over terror and oppression.

“On this day let us remember the thousands of innocent Americans who died in this senseless tragedy and also pray for those brave men and women in harm’s way still fighting to protect our freedoms.”