[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1498-H1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE FOLLOWING TERRORIST ATTACKS ON
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 385) honoring the men and women of the United
States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center offices, for their hard
work, commitment and compassion during and immediately following the
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 385
Whereas the United States Customs Service offices located
in 6 World Trade Center were destroyed on September 11, 2001,
as a result of terrorist attacks;
Whereas the men and women of the United States Customs
Service in 6 World Trade Center selflessly, and at great
risk, ensured no one was left behind in the imperiled
building and continued to extricate coworkers until all 760
Customs employees were safe and accounted for;
Whereas the men and women of the United States Customs
Service in 6 World Trade Center selflessly, and at great
risk, ensured the safety of others while assisting national,
State, and local officials in continued rescue and recovery
efforts;
Whereas the United States Customs Service established a
temporary operations center at JFK Airport just hours after
the attack and worked tirelessly to permanently relocate the
New York Customs office only 3 weeks later;
Whereas the dedicated men and women of the United States
Customs Service continue to sift through the debris at 6
World Trade Center to retrieve vital evidence, which has
since aided in recent criminal convictions; and
Whereas the United States Customs Service, with increased
resolve, continues its vigil to safeguard our borders and
serve on
[[Page H1499]]
the frontline in our Nation's war against terrorism, and the
men and women of the United States Customs Service represent
a dedication to duty in the highest traditions of the
Department of the Treasury and the United States of America:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the continued dedication of the men and women
assigned to the United States Custom Service, New York
operations;
(2) recognizes the critical importance of the United States
Customs Service on the frontline of our national security
efforts; and
(3) supports providing the necessary resources to ensure
the full operation of the United States Customs Service, New
York operations, and that of Customs nationwide.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Weller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller).
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 385. I
commend the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) and the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for their leadership in bringing this special
legislation before the House of Representatives, as well as their
strong support for all Federal employees.
This resolution honors the men and women of the United States Customs
Service for their dedication and bravery, not only for their heroic
actions on and following September 11, but for their daily work to
protect our country from terrorism. In fact, I would note that Customs
Service employees were responsible for capturing a terrorist now known
as the ``Millennium Bomber'' carrying bomb material on December 14,
1999, at the Canadian border in Washington State. The suspect who had
plans to set off a bomb in Seattle remains in custody in Los Angeles.
The offices of the Customs Service were destroyed at 6 World Trade
Center, but the Customs Service employees ensured that no one was left
behind in the shaky building until every worker was accounted for, 760
employees in all.
In the days following September 11, the Customs Service workers
proved their dedication to their fellow coworkers and to our country by
volunteering to sift through debris to find evidence of the crime,
mementos of lost coworkers, and human remains so that loved ones might
know the final resting place of their family members.
Recovery workers have continued their dedicated efforts by work at
the Fresh Kils dump on Staten Island, continuing the process of sorting
tons of debris. In fact, over 1.5 million tons of debris has been
sorted by Customs Service volunteers alone. Customs Service volunteers
searched in coordination with the New York Police Department and the
FBI, using only garden rakes and their own hands. Almost all of these
volunteers have never done disaster or recovery work before, but feel
that it is their duty and an honor to continue the process of searching
for victims.
Even the search dogs give up when they can find no survivors.
However, Customs employees continue their dedicated search, and for
this we honor them today. In the words of one dedicated volunteer, ``It
isn't often that you have a chance to work at something that means so
much.''
Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to the victims of terrorist attacks
on September 11, 2001 and their families. Just as we have seen with
these Customs Service employees in New York City, we have seen how the
average American can support their country; and time and time again on
the day of those terrorist attacks and after, we have seen how the
average American can become a hero serving the American people.
Let us join together today recognizing and honoring the men and women
of the United States Customs Service, those workers located at World
Trade Center 6.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise along with my colleague from Illinois and
salute our workers in the Customs Service who have worked so valiantly,
and have tired in many cases, but continue to stand strong in support
of security for Americans here and abroad.
I rise in support of H. Res. 385, which honors the heroic acts of our
men and women assigned to the United States Customs Service in New York
City, and the operations that have been there for quite some time, not
only during the attack on September 11, but immediately following the
attacks, and they continue to this day with their service.
This resolution recognizes the critical importance Customs employees
play as our front line of security. Too often we forget that before
that problem, that terror enters our country, it is the people of the
Customs Service who are there to make sure it does not come in.
We must continue to provide the New York Customs employees with the
resources they need to continue full and effective operations in
protecting Americans. I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer)
and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) of the Committee on
Appropriations for their leadership in bringing this resolution to the
House floor for approval.
The Customs Service was struck directly by the attacks of September
11. The Customs building, which was located at 6 World Trade Center,
and which served as a headquarters for much of the Customs Service's
northeast operations, was struck dramatically. It was completely
destroyed. All of the offices were affected. Debris from the Twin
Towers completely destroyed the offices of the Customs Service.
Fortunately, or miraculously, all 800 of the Customs Service
employees escaped unharmed, 760 employees who worked there permanently,
and 40 who were there for meetings. Not one died. Within an hour of the
terrorist attacks, the Customs Service placed all of its personnel and
facilities on a Level 1 Alert, which of course means enhanced security
and questioning of those who are entering the U.S. is put on even
greater status, and it also calls for increased inspections of
travelers and goods at every port of entry.
Because of the continuing terrorist threat, as of today, the Customs
Service remains at Level 1 Alert status. What does that mean? Well, it
could mean 12- to 16-hour days. It means virtually all nonemergency
leave has been canceled. It means overtime for inspectors tripled, and
in some cases, many Customs employees have been temporarily transferred
outside of their area to places and assignments such as at our northern
border, far away from their families. Many of our Customs employees are
still displaced. Within hours of the attack, Customs New York employees
set up temporary operation centers at nearby JFK Airport. They are
still there. There are many of our Customs employees in New Jersey at
Port Elizabeth.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to provide the support for
Customs Service to reestablish its full presence in New York City. If
the brave men and women of the Customs Service refused to cower from
the challenges which they faced on September 11, we should be willing
to help them return to Manhattan where they will again rise to the
challenge.
Madam Speaker, our Customs Service personnel, day in and day out,
have fought against violence, against terrorism, not just on September
11, but I can recall in December of 1999, it was a Customs inspector
who apprehended Ahmed Ressam, a suspected terrorist who was captured at
Port Angeles, Washington, and apparently had planned to bomb a terminal
at Los Angeles International Airport in my city of Los Angeles in late
1999.
On October 30, 2001, we lost a Customs inspector in the line of duty
in Louisiana. A U.S. Customs inspector, Thomas Murray, a 31-year
veteran, entered a freighter, but never came out. Apparently, he
succumbed to toxin fumes in the hold of the vessel. I offer condolences
to his wife and children, his parents and his brothers, and I thank him
for giving his life in the service of his country. That is the life of
a Customs Service officer. That is what we stand today honoring. We
continue to do so because they will not stop.
Madam Speaker, it is great that we are here today recognizing the
work of the Customs Service personnel. I am
[[Page H1500]]
pleased that both the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) have taken the time to recognize
them today.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government, a strong advocate
for the Customs Service.
Mr. ISTOOK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and to thank the
employees of the United States Customs Service in New York City. These
dedicated men and women give new meaning to the term public service. On
behalf of all Americans, this resolution says to them, thank you for
your steadfast work following the terrorist attacks of last September,
steadfast work that continues this day, as it has every day since
September 11.
Like a number of other Federal law enforcement agencies, Customs had
its principal office in 6 World Trade Center. Thanks to lessons learned
from the previous bombing several years prior, they had updated and
practiced their evacuation plans. That is fortunate because in large
part due to this, none of the more than 750 Customs employees that were
there were seriously injured, and none were killed.
However, the emotional pain was very real with them, as with all of
America. It continues to this day. Yet these Customs employees more
than rose to the occasion. In addition to assisting in the broader
search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center, these men and
women were quickly engaged in the investigative efforts to find the
responsible parties, and to guard against any additional attacks.
At a time when many Americans were still too stunned or too
frightened to leave their homes, these brave officers of the Customs
Service continued their role as America's front line on our borders. In
fact, many officers worked through the night of September 11.
Commercial operations that are so vital to America's economy, involving
billions of dollars of trade every day, involving millions of American
jobs, these commercial operations were quickly restored, consistent
with the security that must exist at our borders.
Special agents immediately joined with fellow law enforcement
officers to pursue every lead, and the New York Customs Service
laboratory was up and running in temporary quarters less than a week
later after the loss of their regular office space.
Today the New York Customs family is scattered through five offices,
rather than being combined to one. Commutes are longer, the hours are
longer, the time away from the family is greater, and the worries, of
course, are many. I want each of the men and women there to know that
we understand, as best as anyone not in there with them on a day-to-day
basis can understand, the enormous challenges that they face. We are
grateful for their efforts to carry on the very important work that
they do for America.
Throughout the country, as in New York, Customs continues on Level 1
Alert. Across the northern border, along the southwest border, at our
seaports and our airports, at investigative offices and elsewhere,
including overseas, the men and women of Customs stand watch 24 hours a
day. Overtime numbers are up. That means time with family, time with
friends, time on personal pursuits are down. Stress levels continue to
be high, yet the need for careful consideration of each entering
person, each item that enters the United States as part of goods and
cargoes, the need for careful consideration of each of them has never
been higher. The execution in their job has never been better.
Since 1789, Customs has been an integral part of our government. It
is America's oldest law enforcement agency. Customs has had many proud
moments, but perhaps none more significant than in the past 7 months.
The dedication of these men and women reminds me of President Bush's
comments last fall in which he thanked all Federal workers. As he
stated, ``Public service is not simply a noble profession, it is an
honorable life. Your service to your country makes the ideal of America
a daily, living reality. History has never known a Nation of such
strengths and compassion, honor and ideals. Your work and selfless
commitment are vital. On behalf of not only a grateful Nation but a
world in need of America, thank you.''
To these words of President Bush, I join my words of thanks as I know
these words are also joined by every Member of this body. I urge all of
my colleagues to join in paying special tribute to the remarkable
dedication of Customs agents, inspectors and other personnel in New
York. Their service, from the most junior employees to the most senior
managers, exemplifies the best of our Nation.
Madam Speaker, we recognize their service, and I am thankful for this
opportunity to extend that recognition.
{time} 1445
Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government of the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Becerra), for yielding me this time; I thank the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) for facilitating the movement of
this resolution to the floor in a timely fashion. And I say to Chairman
Istook, I am pleased to join with him in the sponsorship of this
resolution.
Madam Speaker, the United States Customs Service has a long and proud
history that dates back over 200 years. It was at its outset, of
course, our principal funding agency. It is now one of our principal
trade facilitation agencies and law enforcement agencies. To most of
us, they are the men and women in blue uniform that process us through
international ports of entry. But they do so very much more. With
nearly 20,000 employees, the Customs Service collects $22 billion in
revenue each year, it prohibits illegal drugs from crossing our
borders, it enforces against illegal trade practices, and prevents
individuals with destructive intentions from entering our country, as
the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra) has cited in his own
remarks.
The men and women of the Customs Service are truly on the front line
in the war on terrorism. Madam Speaker, the President has correctly
said that we ought to recognize those on the front line, in
Afghanistan, in Bosnia, in so many other parts of the world; but these
men and women are as truly on the front line as those in the services
of our Armed Forces. These men and women are in some respects the first
line of defense against terrorism coming in from without.
Madam Speaker, I join in the strong support of this resolution to
honor the men and women of the United States Customs Service who worked
in World Trade Center 6 adjacent to the North Tower. Building 6, World
Trade Center, which housed 760 Customs employees, stood only 40 feet
from Tower One. Shortly after the collapse of the North and South
Towers, the fire proved too much for Building 6, which suffered a
devastating internal collapse. By the grace of God and by the exercise
of diligence and courage and energy, all 760 employees who worked in
that facility escaped the wreckage without injury.
In the wake of such tragedy, these employees were resolute and
determined not to let such a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism
deter them from protecting our Nation. Since September 11, these
employees have worked around the clock to reestablish their physical
presence and have played a key role in the Federal Government's
investigation of the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11.
Customs employees in New York have also played a major role in the
volunteer effort to sift through the rubble at Ground Zero and at the
Staten Island placement site. The Customs team worked around the clock,
through the holidays, through the cold winter weather, all for the
purposes of finding some sign of life. Even after the canine teams
stopped searching, the Customs employees continued their search, their
quest in their hope to find maybe just one, maybe two, maybe more. They
knew that the people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, as
they did, had children, had homes, had hopes for their own futures.
To Customs volunteers like Joseph Gloria, Louis Boehner, Stephen
Cook, Jack Russo, and Richard Tursi, who
[[Page H1501]]
spent so many days and nights searching through heaps and piles of dirt
for personal effects of those who lost their lives so that loved ones
might have them to remember them by, you are American heroes, as are
the 194 other Customs volunteers who devoted their time. America will
not forget you. As it will not forget the firefighters and the police
who lost their lives that day, we will not forget your efforts that day
or every day as you protect America, our commerce, our health, our
safety.
Madam Speaker, I also want to mention Joe Webber, who is the special
agent in charge of the Customs office in New York. For over 2\1/2\
years, the Customs Service has been investigating a Colombian money
laundering scheme called Operation Wire Cutter which involved the
illegal exchange of drug-based dollars into pesos in Colombia.
Following the September 11 attacks, it appeared that 2\1/2\ years of
investigative material was lost and that that investigation was for
naught because the evidence compiled and housed in 6 World Trade Center
was not available. Mr. Webber, however, kept the faith. He still
thought there was a chance to retrieve the information. A month after
the attacks, he convinced fire officials to lower him into the wreckage
of World Trade Center 6 to search for the evidence. Fortunately, yes,
perhaps miraculously, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra)
said, Mr. Webber was able to find that evidence which led to the
seizure of $8 million and the arrest of several individuals involved in
this scheme. The terrorists had lost.
Mr. Webber, we thank you for your determination. You once again
proved that terrorism will not, did not, must not defeat our resolve.
To all of the Customs employees who worked in World Trade Center 6, we
honor you today. We will be there to honor you again next week, but it
is significant that 535 of your fellow citizens, sent here by 287
million Americans to represent our country, stand united in thanking
you, in honoring you, in respecting you for your service, your hard
work, your compassion, your determination. Our Nation owes you a debt
of gratitude for the leadership and commitment you showed during a time
when our Nation was most vulnerable.
Our national anthem says that we are the land of the free. We are the
land of the free because we are the home of the brave and these are
some of those brave.
Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time. I also want to commend Chairman Istook and
Ranking Member Hoyer for their introduction of this important
resolution.
``We are the guardians of our Nation's borders, America's front line.
We serve and protect the American public with integrity, innovation,
and pride. We enforce the laws of the United States, safeguard the
revenue, and foster lawful international trade and travel.''
Such is the mission of the U.S. Customs Service, a government agency
whose history parallels the history of our country. In 1789 when our
new country was struggling to fight off financial ruin, the U.S.
Customs Service was created to help save the Nation. On September 11,
2001, when our country was the victim of terrorist attacks of the most
horrific magnitude, the U.S. Customs Service was once again there to
help save our Nation.
As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform and the
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency
Organization, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in support of
House Resolution 385. This measure honors the men and women of the
United States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center offices, for their
hard work, commitment, and compassion during and immediately following
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
It is indeed a fitting tribute for an extraordinary group of Federal
Government employees.
On September 11, there were 760 Custom employees at the World Trade
Center 6, along with 40 other Customs employees who were there for a
meeting. Although their offices were destroyed, Customs employees, at
great personal risk, ensured that every one of their coworkers safely
exited the building. Just hours after the attack, they established
temporary operations at JFK Airport and worked with national, State,
and local officials in rescue and recovery efforts. They have helped
retrieve evidence which is critical to criminal convictions.
Madam Speaker, tradition, service, honor. That is the U.S. Customs
Service legacy and its future. I urge my colleagues to join with me in
recognizing the men and women assigned to the United States Customs
Service, New York operations, for their dedication to duty and in
providing the necessary resources for the U.S. Customs Service to carry
out its mission as we know it today, guardians of our borders,
protectors of our people.
Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I hope this body will recognize that Chairman Istook and Ranking
Member Hoyer were instrumental in ensuring that the Customs Service
received the $36 million which it needed for up-front reconstruction to
enable it to reestablish operations in New York and begin to replace
badly needed equipment in a very short period of time. We owe a great
deal of gratitude to both of those gentlemen and all the members of the
Committee on Appropriations who made that possible.
Further, the congressional support that was offered quickly to the
Customs Service provided for overtime funding for inspectors and agents
and was critical in helping them to complete their assignment to battle
against terrorism, to patrol our airspace, and to safeguard our coastal
waters. This prompt response gave Customs the tools it needed to secure
our borders quickly in the face of immediate threat.
To the men and women in Customs, we say, you have earned our respect
and you deserve this tribute. I look very much forward to the vote in
passing this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I join my colleague on the Committee on Ways and Means, as well as my
colleague from California for his statements in recognition of the
leadership of Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Hoyer in support of
the Customs Service. I also want to give recognition to Chairman Phil
Crane of the Subcommittee on Trade of the House Committee on Ways and
Means for his active leadership on behalf of the Customs Service which
has jurisdiction under the Committee on Ways and Means.
Madam Speaker, this resolution is important because it honors the men
and women of the United States Customs Service, 6 World Trade Center,
those offices, for their hard work, their commitment, their compassion
and their volunteerism, their volunteerism during and immediately
following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September
11, 2001.
I urge and ask my colleagues in this House to join together in
recognition of these workers in the New York Customs Service office and
that they give them the recognition they deserve as well as the
expression of gratitude of our Nation.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 385,
honoring the men and women of the U.S. Customs Service who were working
at 6 World Trade Center for their bravery, commitment, and compassion
during and immediately following the terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center on September 11.
On that fateful day in September, the New York field office of the
U.S. Customs Service located in 6 World Trade Center was destroyed as a
result of the attacks. However, in the face of grave danger, the men
and women of the Customs Service were able to ensure the evacuation of
over 750 of their fellow coworkers prior to the collapse of their
building. Moreover, many remained on the scene to assist rescue workers
in their efforts to save the thousands of people working in the World
Trade Center complex.
Our Nation witnessed the best and the worst of humanity that terrible
day. Accordingly, it is only proper that we recognize and honor these
selfless acts of bravery. I urge my fellow colleagues to support this
important measure.
Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 385, a
resolution to honor the men and women of the U.S. Customs Service, New
York Office, for their admirable duty and bravery in the service of our
[[Page H1502]]
country, and the people of New York, during the terrorist attacks of
September 11.
The New York Customs Service was on the front lines on September 11.
Their office, located at 6 World Trade Center was evacuated and later
destroyed in the towers' collapse.
Despite this, the men and women who work at Customs, a number of whom
I am proud to call my constituents, ensured at great personal risk, the
safe evacuation of their offices and surrounding offices. They then
continued to work with local and national public safety officers to
coordinate and assist the search and rescue and later recovery efforts.
The men and women of the Customs Service deserve our utmost thanks
and respect for their remarkable service.
But in addition to these proclamations, we need to provide real
tangible support for our Customs officials. By that, I mean mandating
the return of the Custom's New York Office back to Manhattan.
I have many constituents who work for the Customs Service, and belong
to the National Treasury Employees Union 183. We all applaud Customs
for quickly relocating these employees, my constituents, to alternative
work sites at Kennedy Airport and Newark, NJ. But it is integral for
the Nation, for the city and for Customs employees that a new permanent
Customs Office is set up in Manhattan.
For the day-to-day officers of the Customs Service, our Nation's
primary enforcement agency protecting our borders, this new duty
station in New Jersey causes tremendous--and needless--burdens.
In addition, the U.S. Customs Service must have a Manhattan presence.
As a life-long New Yorker I am very concerned about the possibility of
companies using September 11 as an excuse to flee New York City and I
have been working with the city and State to prevent this from
happening. As an agency of the Federal Government, the Customs Service
should set an example to private companies, and show them that New York
is still the greatest city in the world and the capital of
international business. By not having an office in Manhattan, the
opposite is suggested.
The men and women of the Customs Service helped to alleviate the
fears of our country on and right after September 11. It was fear that
the terrorists were counting on to defeat us, and precisely what we
must not allow to win. Those fears will be further mitigated by the
return of businesses to New York City, and the Customs Service must be
one office leading the way.
Madam Speaker, in conclusion I thank the efforts of the gentleman
from Oklahoma in introducing this measure and allowing this House to
pay tribute to these men and women who have done so much to help New
Yorkers and the country. I thank you all, and I assure you that we will
not forget what you have done.
Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 385.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________