[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E73-E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         OUR FRIENDS IN CANADA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, as Americans, we were all 
deeply moved when, during the days following September 11th our friends 
in Canada extended a helping hand to our shaken Nation. Our neighbors 
to the north deserve our thanks and praise for their enduring 
friendship.
  The world watched as trans-Atlantic flights were diverted to Canadian 
airports in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Personal accounts from 
constituents of mine, stranded in Canada because of the events of 
September 11th, show how remarkable the response was from the Canadian 
citizens who helped to care for stranded passengers. There were hot 
meals, showers, cots, blankets, and TV sets to watch the first news of 
what was happening back home. There were also teddy bears and ``field 
trips'' to local sights.
  It is during these troubled times that you find out who your real 
friends are. Thanks to the service men and women, and also to the 
citizens of the great Nation of Canada for their kindness. Your 
hospitality will not soon be forgotten.

                                               Washington, DC,

                                                 February 4, 2002.
     Lt. Cmdr. M.A. Morris,
     Commanding Officer, HMCS Cabot,
     St. John's, Newfoundland.
       Dear Commander Morris: No one expected on the morning of 
     September 11th what that day would be like. I expect that is 
     especially true of you.
       Ash and Susan Collins, two constituents of mine from 
     Placitas, New Mexico, told me of your professionalism and 
     kindness following the diversion of so many guests to your 
     station.
       I wanted to thank you for all you did for them and others 
     in the same situation.
       It is in the tough times that you find out who your real 
     friends are. Thank you and your service men and women for 
     your hospitality and kindness. We won't soon forget it.
           Warm Regards,
                                                   Heather Wilson,
                                               Member of Congress.

                                  ____
                                  

                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, February 4, 2002.
     Hon. Michael F. Kergin,
     Ambassador, Canadian Embassy,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Ambassador: I had read a few stories in the paper 
     about how well Americans were treated by our Canadian friends 
     in the days following September 11th. Two of my constituents, 
     Ash and Susan Collins of Placitas, New Mexico, took the time 
     to tell me of their personal experience.
       It is in the tough times that we find out who our real 
     friends are. Please accept my thanks to you and your 
     countrymen for your kindness and friendship. We won't soon 
     forget it.
           Warm Regards,
                                                   Heather Wilson.

                                  ____
                                  

                                       Ashton B. Collins, Jr.,

                                   Placitas, NM, October 29, 2001.
     Hon. Heather Wilson,
     House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Heather: It was certainly good to be with you and Jay 
     on Friday night. We appreciate your interest in our comments 
     about the extraordinary response and support by Canadians on 
     September 11.
       On September 11, 2001, when U.S. and offshore airspace 
     areas were closed, trans-Atlantic flights were diverted to 
     Canadian airports in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. More than 
     17,000 persons from 136 planes landed in Newfoundland alone. 
     We enclose a photo of the Halifax, Nova Scotia airport to 
     illustrate the dimensions.
       We were on one of the 27 wide-body airliners with a total 
     of approximately 4,300 passengers and crews landing at St. 
     John's, Newfoundland. The St. John's airport was under major 
     construction and normally receives one jumbo jet daily. 
     Passengers were held for several hours on their planes while 
     Canadian authorities developed plans.
       Ultimately, we were allowed to carry only wallets for men, 
     purses for women and passports into the terminal. Upon 
     deplaning in darkness, we were each greeted with a warm, 
     ``Welcome to Canada'', a sandwich, liquids, and solid 
     assurance that we would be cared for. And we were cared for 
     with astonishing efficiency on the part of all Canadian 
     authorities, agencies, public institutions, businesses, and 
     individuals.
       The Canadians' sense of solidarity with their American 
     neighbors was and is an indelible memory. A lot of Americans 
     learned a lot about their neighbors to the North in a hurry.
       Here are a few highlights:
       Individuals from all over Newfoundland pitched in, each in 
     his own way. We ``airplane people'' slept in churches, 
     convents,

[[Page E74]]

     schools, e.g., we stayed at the HMCS Cabot naval reserve 
     station on cots in a classroom. (We enclose a letter just 
     written to Lieutenant Commander Margaret Morris, Commander of 
     the Cabot facility for further detail.)
       Teddy bears were bought by private citizens and delivered 
     to children at various sites.
       A cab driver offered us his home and a home-cooked meal.
       Prescriptions were refilled and supplied gratis by the Red 
     Cross.
       The Canadian flags were flown at half-staff. This gesture, 
     alone, moved many Americans to tears.
       Sympathy cards to the United States handmade by Nova Scotia 
     school children were posted on walls at the Halifax airport.
       Newspapers were dominated by stories of events at home and 
     Canadian support. (We enclose examples.)
       Words cannot adequately express our appreciation, respect 
     and admiration for our Canadian friends.
       We will be glad to give further details should that be 
     helpful.
       Special thanks to you for your consideration of a reference 
     to Canadian support and HMCS Cabot in the Congressional 
     Record . . . and a mention to the U.S. Ambassador.
           Sincerely,
                                            Ash and Susan Collins.

                                  ____
                                  

                                       Ashton B. Collins, Jr.,

                                   Placitas, NM, October 29, 2001.
     LCDR M.A. Morris,
     Commanding Officer, HMCS Cabot,
     St. John's, Newfoundland.
       Dear Commander Morris: Some time has passed since we were 
     with you and your HMCS Cabot personnel, as your guests in the 
     days following the tragedies of September 11.
       We will never be able adequately to express our gratitude 
     for the extraordinary qualities of welcome, warmth, empathy, 
     support, and solidarity that you gave us . . . all the 
     ``airplane people'' . . . so generously and spontaneously.
       We also will never know how, when so many people descended 
     on HMCS Cabot so unexpectedly, you were able to anticipate so 
     efficiently . . . and gracefully their needs, ranging from 
     the obvious, such as hot meals (and the quality of which was 
     outstanding!), cots and blankets, hot showers, and a variety 
     of amenities to the less obvious but vital such as TV sets 
     strategically placed so we could get our first news of the 
     unfolding events and analysis.
       And you were superb in your information flow to us . . . 
     letting us know when you knew of potential and actual plan 
     for ultimate departure.
       Your people also were great about keeping track of all of 
     their new ``guests'' and were sources of all manner of 
     helpful information about St. John's and Newfoundland.
       It is clear to us that this quality of response to 
     extraordinary events comes from the heart, and from 
     outstanding leadership. You exhibited both, in high measure; 
     we salute you.
       We Americans learned a lot about our great neighbors to the 
     North, in a short time. And it was all of the best.
       Now, in a modest turnabout, we enclose a small token of our 
     New Mexico, with the sincere invitation to you to visit us in 
     our home (photo enclosed) to let us show you something of our 
     American Southwest.
       We also enclose a check for your discretionary use in 
     behalf of all the great people of HMCS Cabot.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Ash Collins.

     

                          ____________________