[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S13692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          LEGISLATIVE BRANCH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TASK FORCE

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I stand here today to pay tribute to a 
group of Americans who have worked tirelessly to protect all of us. 
Following the tragic events of September 11, Al Lenhardt, the Senate 
Sergeant at Arms and Chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Board 
recognized the value of bringing together a group of experts from 
outside the legislative branch to provide the expertise necessary to 
respond to this unprecedented attack on America. He brought in a team 
of experts and created the Legislative Branch Emergency Preparedness 
Task Force to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Capitol Complex 
and provide recommendations that would enhance our security .
  This extraordinary group of experts could quite easily have taken a 
simplistic approach and recommended turning the Capitol into an armed 
camp. Fortunately, they recognized that this building, known throughout 
the world as a symbol of freedom and democracy, is first and foremost 
the public's domain and must remain so. Instead of taking the easy 
route, they developed a carefully crafted series of measures which 
enhanced the security of everyone who walks through these doors Members 
of Congress, staff and visitors alike without denying the American 
people their right to see and meet with their elected representatives. 
They ensured that the Capitol remained ``the People's House.''
  Mr. Gary Quay of the Department of Defense, Colonel Richard 
Majauskas, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Salo and Lieutenant Colonel 
Stanley Tunstall of the Army, Lieutenant Commander David Klain of the 
Navy, Deputy Chief Chris McGaffin and Captain Edward Bailor of the U.S. 
Capitol Police, Mr. Michael DiSilvestro of the Office of Senate 
Security, Mr. Michael Johnson of the Senate Sergeant at Arms, Mr. Kevin 
Brennan of the House Sergeant at Arms, and Mr. Bill Weidemeyer and Mr. 
Jim Powers of the Architect of the Capitol dedicated themselves to the 
task of looking at every aspect of emergency preparedness on Capitol 
Hill.
  All of us remember the confusion that reigned on September 11. In 
light of what happened, that confusion was perfectly understandable. 
After all, never before had someone turned one commercial airliner into 
a weapon of mass destruction, let alone four. I am convinced that the 
rapid implementation of the Task Force's recommendations by Jeri 
Thomson, the Secretary of the Senate, Alan Hantman, the Architect of 
the Capitol, and Jim Varey, Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, has 
significantly enhanced our ability to respond to emergencies and will 
prevent a repeat of that day's confusion.
  In a world where cynicism and selfishness rule the day for some, I am 
proud to say this is not the case for these dedicated Americans. The 
safety of our nation's Capitol, and all who work in and visit it, is 
enhanced by their efforts. On behalf of Americans everywhere and the 
107th Congress in particular, I am proud to stand here today and say 
``Thank you--job well done!''

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