[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                NEW YORK

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I compliment the distinguished Presiding 
Officer, and her distinguished colleague, Senator Schumer, for not only 
the State of New York but for the City of New York.
  I had the privilege of attending the economic summit in New York City 
this weekend. I saw the distinguished Presiding Officer on several 
occasions. In fact, I was beginning to think that somehow she had been 
cloned because she was attending and speaking and was involved in so 
many different events.
  I know the economic summit came to New York City as a gesture of 
solidarity with the city after the terrible events of last fall. They 
came there knowing that not only would they bring people from around 
the world as well as from our own country, but they would bring the 
press from around the world to show the world that New York City is 
open, and New York City is in a position to handle, as it always has, 
any group of any size for any purpose. I want to say that New York City 
did.
  I was extraordinarily impressed with the level of everything from 
communications, certainly to law enforcement--New York's finest was 
there--to the continuing work at ground zero. My wife and I and our 
daughter visited to see again the work that continues by these brave 
men and women from the New York Fire Department, who are still working 
there. The police department is still working there, and other agencies 
as well as volunteers.
  I was gratified to see while we were there a number of foreign 
visitors going to ground zero. Anybody has to be moved just reading the 
notes that have been left there by family members. While we were there, 
foreign delegations were laying wreaths and paying homage.
  The point, though, is that New York City reflects, really, what is 
best in America. We have seen a major city of commerce, of education, 
of entertainment, and of history badly damaged that came right back, 
and was able to demonstrate that to the rest of the world.
  As one coming from the State of Vermont, I sometimes hear regional 
accents at their best when I go to New York City. I am sure that New 
Yorkers feel the same way when they come to Vermont. But the accent I 
heard was one of hope, of excitement, of all the best things that are 
reflected by that city.
  I commend not only the two Senators, my two friends from New York, 
but everybody--from the mayor to the Governor, and everyone who has 
worked so hard on this. New York City is open for business, as it was 
for some members of the Leahy family. It was a pleasure to be there.

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