[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE POWER OF STEEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today is a heartfelt day for 
people from one of the most historic neighborhoods in my district. They 
are involved in something very special this morning in New York City. 
The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, where as many as 800 people 
meet weekly to worship and give thanks, is in Barelas, one of 
Albuquerque's oldest neighborhoods. In the 1970's the church, including 
two prominent bell towers, was razed because the structure was unsound. 
Parishioners then moved across the street, into the existing Church 
gymnasium. The bells were lost until recently, when one was found in 
somebody's backyard.
  Now that one of those bells has reappeared, the Parish and members of 
the community hope to once again sound the bells throughout Barelas.
  This need and an inspired idea were the beginning of a wonderful 
journey that has brought together the people of New Mexico and the 
citizens of New York.
  Leaders in the community asked Archbishop Michael Sheehan and others, 
including me, to ask the City of New York for two steel beams from the 
World Trade Center. Those beams, the hope was, would be incorporated 
into the design of the new bell tower in a manner that would respect 
and remember the terrible terrorist attacks against our country the 
morning of September 11, 2001.
  A delegation from New Mexico, including Father Moore, John Garcia, 
Sosimo Padilla, Stan Tinker, and a member of my staff, are in New York 
this morning at Ground Zero. They are meeting with construction workers 
to pick up two 20-foot beams, remnants of the World Trade Towers and 
very generous gifts from the people of the City of New York. Father 
Moore will bless the beams for their safe journey to a new beginning.
  Those bells rang when World War II ended. They rang for weddings and 
funerals. They rang every Sunday morning over the City of Albuquerque 
to call people to worship. We are pleased in Albuquerque and thankful 
to the people of New York that the bell towers will be rebuilt and the 
bells will ring again. They will ring as a call to prayer, and they 
will now ring in remembrance.
  We saw the face of evil on September 11th. And in the aftermath, we 
saw the depth of America's goodness and a return to simple faith. We 
are a strong, loving people and a faithful people. New Mexico will 
rebuild this bell tower and remember. This bell tower will remind us 
and call us to worship for many years to come.
  President Bush said that terrorism cannot dent the steel of American 
resolve. I agree. These beams, this parish, this community, represent 
the strength of our American character and all the best our Nation has 
to offer. I'm honored to be a part of this.

                          ____________________