[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11997-S11998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SPECIAL SESSION OF CONGRESS IN NEW YORK CITY
Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I would like to draw my colleagues'
attention to an editorial, which appeared in the New York Daily News on
September 25, 2001.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, this editorial
proposes that Congress should convene for a special session in New York
City. Daily News rightly points out that a convening of Congress in New
York City would reaffirm the American people's steadfast resolve
against the cowardly perpetrators of terrorism--and that the attack on
New York represented an attack on our Nation.
I am pleased to report that a bill, H. Con. Res. 249, calling for a
special session of Congress to meet in New York City, has been
introduced in the House of Representatives and that yesterday Senator
Schumer and myself introduced a corresponding bill here in the Senate.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure, which calls for a special
1-day joint session of Congress to be held in New York City as a symbol
of the Nation's solidarity with New Yorkers who epitomize the human
spirit of courage, resilience, and strength.
Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Schumer and myself, I ask
unanimous consent that the editorial be printed in the Record.
[[Page S11998]]
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the New York Daily News, Sept. 25, 2001]
Convene Congress in New York
In today's primary election--so savagely interrupted two
weeks ago--pundits are predicting an abysmal turnout. But
today, New Yorkers, you have even more reason to go to the
polls. Not only will you help to select candidates for one of
the most critical elections in the city's history, you will
be sending a message that our representative democracy still
stands tall--the democracy that terrorists are intent on
destroying.
New York was targeted because this city represents America.
The U.S. Congress also represents America--figuratively and
literally. So herewith, a proposal: Congress should assemble
in New York City for a special session.
The duration doesn't matter--a day would be enough. What
matters is that, by meeting here, Congress would show the
city, the nation and the world that it stands in solidarity
with New York, and that the strikes against the World Trade
Center and the Pentagon were strikes against an America that
has emerged stronger than ever. An America united in its
determination to eradicate terrorism. Indeed, the 535 members
of the House and Senate could use the New York session to
pass a resolution or legislation related to this new war we
are waging. For it is Congress assembled that represents
America.
Holding a special session here would be unprecedented, but
there is nothing in the Constitution or federal law or the
rules of Congress that dictates where the House and Senate
shall convene. In its history, the only time Congress
traveled was during the Revolution, when it fled the British.
This time, it would not be fleeing, but charging into
action--and doing so at the scene of the worst enemy attack
ever on American soil.
Since the terror murder of thousands Sept. 11, President
Bush and key members of Congress have visited the city to
witness firsthand the destruction, the heroism and the
stoicism. Forty members of the Senate came as a group.
Consider the emotional and symbolic impact of the entire
Congress assembling in New York.
And the meeting place? Perhaps the Javits Center or
Governors Island or Liberty Island. Or somewhere downtown
near the scene of the carnage. There would be obstacles
involving logistics and security, but they can be overcome,
as they were when the President and the Senate delegation
visited. This proposal can be brought to fruition.
In the context of U.S. history, there are strong parallels
for Congress coming to New York. The city was the home of the
Continental Congress beginning in 1785. And when the federal
Constitution was adopted, the first Congress met here in
1789. George Washington was sworn into office downtown,
blocks from what is now Ground Zero. The first meetings of
the House of Representatives and the Senate were held here.
Though the official seat of power remained in New York for
only about a year, during that time the basic functions of
the U.S. government were set in place. It was in New York
that Congress wrote the Bill of Rights and submitted the
amendments to the states. It was in New York that the Supreme
Court was established. And it was in New York, on another
Sept. 11--in 1789--that the Senate voted to confirm the first
administration's first cabinet member: New Yorker Alexander
Hamilton as treasury secretary.
In 1790, Congress moved to Philadelphia, and 10 years later
to its new Capitol building in the nation's new capital city
of Washington. The last time Congress did not meet at the
Capitol was during the War of 1812, when the British burned
the building. That was also the last time--until Sept. 11,
2001--that a foreign enemy struck the American mainland.
For generations, America was protected by two broad oceans.
No more. We have become a battleground. We are making history
anew. And with a simple, yet far-reaching action, Congress
can come to New York and write a new chapter in the indelible
ink of national fortitude. Congress already has acted to
assist our wounded city, approving $20 billion in aid for New
York, with more likely to follow. What we ask for here is
symbolic. Just as the terrorists chose the World Trade Center
and Pentagon as symbols, America should render its own
symbol--of unity, strength and resolve such as the world has
never seen.
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