[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 155 (Friday, November 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE RIGHT MEDICINE

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, President Bush's speech to the American 
people last night was exactly the right medicine. America is truly 
concerned over terrorism and bioterrorism and what it means to our 
country.
  I listened carefully to the President's speech in Atlanta, GA. I 
thought he struck the right tone. As concerned as we are--and we should 
be concerned--we take heart in the fact that this country has been 
strengthened by this crisis and this challenge. We have come together 
in what has been called the ``re-United States of America.''
  Many people understand patriotism from a different perspective than 
they did just a few weeks ago. We stand in awe, in respect, and in 
admiration of many heroes in America. The President acknowledged them 
last night--the firefighters in New York City and across America, the 
people who are in law enforcement, medical rescue teams, teachers, 
postal workers, and of course the men and women in uniform who daily 
put their lives on the line for America. It is appropriate that we 
remember them as we try to wrestle with our personal concerns about 
safety and security since September 11.
  I thought the President struck just the right chord in calling on 
America to bring out the very best in our Nation.
  Within the last several weeks, Congress has been called on by the 
President many times to provide him with the authority and the 
resources to deal with this crisis. Without exception, Congress has 
responded in a strong bipartisan manner in an effort to make certain 
the President and certainly the armed services have all they need to 
execute this war effectively.
  This week, the Senate considered the intelligence authorization bill 
which gives additional resources to the intelligence community. This is 
an important component of our effective defense of America and defense 
of our values. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I know 
full well that one of the most heartening events that has occurred 
since September 11 is the fact that countries around the world are now 
cooperating with the United States in fighting terrorism. Some of those 
countries, which have been our closest allies for years, frankly, did 
not take this subject as seriously as they should have. Now they do. As 
they cooperate with us, we have an opportunity to reach out and try to 
stop the spread of terrorism across the world.

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