Boston (April 15, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon. 

“One year ago, our hearts and our city were shattered.

“There is a hole in our hearts from those whose lives were cut short: Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lu Lingzi, and Officer Sean Collier.  We will never forget them and will keep them forever in our memories and our prayers.

“In the days, weeks, and months following this attack, we know what restored the hole in our hearts was love. Love for our city. Love for our fellow man. 

“Today, the very best of what unites all of us is on display - compassion, courage, optimism and hope.

“When everyone else was running away from the destruction, our police, our firefighters, and other first responders ran towards the danger. Today, we honor them.

“Our hospitals, our doctors and nurses, and our caregivers helped heal wounds and in doing so, helped rebuild lives. Today, we honor them. 

“In the past year, we have taken the shattered shards of the past and patched together a new, stronger future. We went and rebuilt Boylston Street. We went to Fenway and won a World Series. We went out and started running again. One year later, 36,000 people are running the Boston Marathon, more than ever before.

“Resilience isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. What we were reminded of by this tragedy is that we’re all running that race together, that long and essential course towards peace and healing. And we’ll get there together.

“Massachusetts is a beacon of progress; it has been our hallmark since our founding. One year later we still grieve, but we are survivors and will always move forward.”