[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6044-H6045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         OUR ETERNAL GRATITUDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly 2 weeks 
since war came to New York City, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and America. 
These cowards have waged war not on our Army and Navy, but on ordinary 
men and women who were killed simply because they showed up for work.
  This unspeakable tragedy has been New York's darkest hour, but it has 
also been its finest hour. We knew New York's bravest and finest would 
respond with great courage; but we did not know how many firefighters, 
police officers, and other rescue workers we would lose.
  Last week, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) and I 
introduced legislation honoring Mayor Giuliani for his leadership, the 
rescue workers, and the people of New York City for their courage, 
volunteerism and enduring spirit. Through their selfless attempts to 
save innocent people, hundreds of rescue workers and citizens made the 
ultimate sacrifice. We appreciate all that they have done.
  We owe them our eternal gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, our city and country are mobilizing as never before.
  The day after the terrorist attack at ground zero I saw not only the 
devastation but the determination in all New Yorkers and Americans to 
rescue, rebuild--and repay the terrorists in calculated, just, multi-
national strikes at them and those who harbor them.
  We're getting back to work to rebuild Lower Manhattan and to keep our 
economy strong.
  From the bottom of my heart I thank my colleagues for their swift 
support for the $20 billion we've approved to rebuild.
  I've never seen this Congress more united or more determined.
  The airline bill passed last Friday was also a boon to New York.
  It included funds to support the victims and their families. And it 
helped keep planes flying into New York.
  Today we will make this airline initiative more comprehensive by 
passing legislation that supports airline workers who were laid off 
through no fault of their own.
  The impact of this tragedy is being felt far beyond ground zero.
  New York City's second largest industry is tourism.
  Right now restaurants are empty. Hotel rooms are vacant and Broadway 
shows are closing.
  Yesterday morning I met with Don Winter, a Chamber of Commerce 
President.
  He said small businesses in particular are being devastated and that 
they pass under the radar screen of many relief efforts.
  Last week to help address this problem and bring people back to New 
York Congressman Reynolds and I introduced the ``I Love New York Tax 
Deduction Act''.
  For the next year it would allow individuals to deduct from their 
income taxes up to $500 and families up to $1,000 for spending money in 
NYC restaurants, lodging and entertainment outlets whether or not they 
itemize their taxes.
  All Americans who want to help the relief effort would be eligible 
for this deduction. All they would have to do is come to New York and 
help our economy by enjoying all that our city has to offer.
  Right now, tourism is patriotism.
  3,000 New York City hotel workers have already lost their jobs.

[[Page H6045]]

  The City's 300,000 food service workers are facing heavy layoffs.
  Eleven current Broadway productions have closed.
  I think it's important that we as a country remember both this 
tragedy and the extraordinary human response that is fundamentally 
American.
  Even as the ground-zero cleanup continues I've been assured by Ken 
Holden, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and 
Construction, that fragments of shells of the Twin Towers which landed 
in the ground like daggers in our heart will be preserved for the 
purpose of creating a national monument. A reminder of the day our 
lives turned upside down. And how we have come together as a city and 
nation.

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