On Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - proclaimed "Patriot Day" by President George W. Bush - HUD Secretary Martinez and Deputy Secretary Jackson marked the first observance of this historic day with a brief ceremony and remarks to HUD employees across the nation.

Before he spoke to employees, the Secretary was honored by Deputy Secretary Jackson for his commitment to the Department's mission, and in particular for raising the issue of homeownership for every American family to a national level. In fact, through Secretary Martinez's efforts, President Bush proclaimed June as "National Homeownership Month" and came to the Department to speak to HUD employees about homeownership.

In June, 2002, speaking in the HUD cafeteria, President Bush drew the comparison between homeland security and homeownership: "...economic security at home is just (as) important...as homeland security. And owning a home is part of that economic security. It's also a part of making sure that this country fulfills its great hope and vision."

Secretary Martinez began his Patriot Day remarks by speaking about the heroes we never knew before: in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania; those who we lost, family or friends; and concluded by echoing President Bush's comments on HUD's mission and homeland security:

"On this first Patriot Day, the President has asked us to remember the sacrifices of those we lost last September 11 by committing ourselves to the pursuit of peace in the world and security at home. We do this through our work at HUD. We do this through our commitment to our families and to our communities. And we do this in the hope that our vigilance today will spare future generations from the challenges we overcame during this past year."

Read the full text of Secretary Martinez's Remarks on the First Commemoration of Patriot Day, September 11, 2002