PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at a 9/11 press conference in Palm Harbor, reflecting on the tragic terrorist attacks and their lasting impact on the nation and Florida’s communities.
After hearing essays from students, DeSantis praised Florida’s Commissioner of Education.
“I am publicly telling Florida’s commissioner of Education is doing a great job,” DeSantis said. “We have additional funds. I know we give scholarships out. We’re gonna give more money to these kids for that, because they deserve it.”
He emphasized the broader toll of 9/11 beyond the nearly 3,000 killed that day, including first responders who died or continue to suffer from illnesses related to their heroic efforts.
“There’s been many that have died in the years since, as a result of what they did that day, and in the ensuing days,” he said.
DeSantis recalled his personal connection to 9/11.
“I was in my early 20s when 9/11 happened,” he said. “So that was probably the foremost experience in terms of our country in my lifetime.”
He noted the importance of teaching younger generations about the attacks, especially since many children today have no direct memory of the event.
DeSantis highlighted Florida’s pioneering role in education about 9/11.
“I think we were the first state...Schools now, yeah, where we’re teaching our kids one, just about the fact that we were attacked by an enemy that day.”
He stressed the significance of understanding the motivations behind the attacks and the heroism displayed.
“It is important for our kids to know that on the worst day, we’re the worst evil was equipped before us....We saw selflessness. We saw people run into the fire,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also addressed recent violence, referencing the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk.
“Yesterday, we saw the assassination of a young political leader, Charlie Kirk...You see some of the evil that’s lurking within, and we’ve got some problems in this country,” he said.
He also condemned violence as a response to differing viewpoints.
“If you don’t like it, it’s not to shout or scream someone down...and it is certainly not that should kill somebody in order to silence them.”
To conclude, DeSantis called for unity and remembrance.
“Let’s not now, 24 years later, succumb as a country to some of those forces inside our country who are really trying to upend what America is all about.”