[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6102-H6107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMEMORATIVE JOINT MEETING OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES IN
REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS AND HEROES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AND IN
RECOGNITION OF THE COURAGE AND SPIRIT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, FEDERAL
HALL, NEW YORK, NY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2002
The SPEAKER. The special ceremonial meeting will be in order.
The invocation will be given by the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin,
Chaplain of the House of Representatives.
The Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Reverend Daniel P.
Coughlin, offered the following invocation:
Lord God, this is a day of history. Bless this exceptional joint
meeting of the 107th Congress which commemorates the tragic events that
occurred here last September 11. The gaping hole left in this city tore
into the fabric of this Nation, but there was no greater suffering than
in New York.
Once again, we commend to Your loving mercy, the victims, survivors,
and their families. We also honor those public servants and ordinary
citizens who joined professionals in healing wounds and rebuilding
lives in this proud city of life and diversity.
Gathered in this historic place, You alone can renew us as You have
in the past. May the vision of the Founding Fathers come alive again in
this body politic to preserve the balance of power and assure the
freedom of the law abiding people of this Nation.
The Bible here, used by George Washington when sworn in as President,
speaks to Your consoling word: ``I am with you.''
Lord God, today is Rosh Hashanah. The traditional Jewish New Year
prayer is for a good and sweet year. Many things You send us, Lord, are
good, but they may hurt or are hurried. So with our Jewish brothers and
sisters we pray today not only for a year of good things, but a year of
sweetness, a chance to relish the blessings of the world and the
freedoms You give us, and to enjoy the sweet kindness and love of one
another.
May this be a good year for all Americans of all faiths, backgrounds,
and traditions. We pray for a good year for America and for the world.
Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Jerrold Nadler,
Representative from New York, and the Honorable Harry Reid, Senator
from Nevada, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.
Mr. Nadler and Senator Reid led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The SPEAKER. Our National Anthem will now be sung by LaChanze.
The National Anthem was sung by LaChanze.
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. My colleagues, we are here in Federal Hall in New York,
New York, pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 448 of the 107th
Congress to conduct a special ceremonial meeting in remembrance of the
victims and the heroes of September 11, 2001, and in recognition of the
courage and the spirit of the City of New York.
When representatives of the New York delegation introduced in the
House and the Senate in 2001 Concurrent Resolutions that suggested that
the Congress convene outside the seat of government to symbolize the
Nation's solidarity with New Yorkers who epitomize the human spirit of
courage, resilience and strength, my initial reaction of support was
tempered by the realization that under article 1, section 5, clause 4
of the Constitution, ``Neither House shall, without the consent of the
other, adjourn to any other place than that in which the two houses
shall be sitting.''
There is no precedent for the convening of an actual session of
Congress outside the seat of government, but on one special occasion
the Congress has engaged in ceremonial functions outside the seat of
government. Members of both houses traveled to Philadelphia on July 16,
1987, for organized festivities surrounding the bicentennial
anniversary of the Constitution pursuant to a similar Concurrent
Resolution.
On the strength of the precedent of the uniquely historical and
national
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significance of that occasion, it is appropriate to dedicate another
ceremonial gathering to a matter of transcendent importance at another
place of basic institutional relevance to the Congress.
Thus, we are gathered in Federal Hall where the First Congress met in
1789 before moving the third session of that Congress to Congress Hall
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1790.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are, therefore, meeting here under that
precedent.
The Chair recognizes the Honorable Richard B. Cheney, the Vice
President of the United States and President of the United States
Senate.
(Applause.)
Vice President CHENEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each time Congress
meets, we are mindful of the great charge that we have all been given
as public servants. Assembled today in Federal Hall we are reminded of
the ones who served before us and those who served first. It is a
humbling experience to stand on the site where the First Congress met,
where the first President was sworn, where the Bill of Rights was
introduced.
Every Member of the House and Senate and every citizen of this
country can draw a straight line from the events in Federal Hall to the
life we all know today. When Congress convened here, America was a
Nation of scarcely 4 million souls. The tallest structure in the city
was Trinity Church, which still stands at corner of Broadway and Wall
Street.
The rollcall of that First Congress included signers of the
Declaration of Independence and men who marched in George Washington's
Army. Two gentleman from Virginia still in their 30's served in that
Congress. Their names were Madison and Monroe. All the Members knew
that great responsibilities had come to them.
As Vice President John Adams observed, ``A trust of the greatest
magnitude is committed to this legislature and the eyes of the world
are upon you.''
In their actions, the Members of the First Congress met that test.
And although this city was the Nation's Capital for only a short time,
from those early days, the eyes of the world have continued to be on
New York. One year ago, this great center of history, enterprise, and
creativity suffered the gravest of cruelties and showed itself to be a
place of valor and generosity and grace. Here, where so many innocent
lives were suddenly taken, the world saw acts of kindness and heroism
that will be remembered forever.
When President Bush introduced Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki at
the Joint Session last September, it was, said one New Yorker, as if
the Members of Congress had recognized that these two men had come
directly off the battlefield.
Today, Congress gathers near that battlefield to honor the character
shown and the courage shown in New York these last 360 days, and to
remember every innocent life taken in the attacks of September 11.
Since the hour of those attacks, we have been a Nation at war called
once again to defend our liberty and our lives and to save humanity
from the worst of wars. As a Nation born in revolution, we know that
our freedom came at a very high price. We have no intention now of
letting it slip away.
The Members of the First Congress shaped events long into the future.
The same is now asked of us. In the principles we stand for, the values
we uphold, and the decisions we make we will set the course of this
Nation and with it the future of human freedom and the peace of the
world.
It is not given to us to know every turn of events to come. We know,
however, that we are the elected servants of a good, a just, and a
decent people. May we always act in that spirit, confident in our
founding principles, clear in our purposes, choosing wisely and bowing
only to divine providence.
The SPEAKER. The Clerk of the House of Representatives has laid upon
the desk the list of representatives in attendance.
Vice President CHENEY. The Secretary of the Senate has laid upon the
desk the list of Senators in attendance.
The list of Representatives and Senators in attendance is as follows:
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in Attendance
The Honorable Anibal Acevedo-Vila
The Honorable Gary L. Ackerman
The Honorable Robert B. Aderholt
The Honorable W. Todd Akin
The Honorable Thomas H. Allen
The Honorable Robert E. Andrews
The Honorable Richard K. Armey
The Honorable Spencer Bachus
The Honorable John Elias Baldacci
The Honorable Tammy Baldwin
The Honorable Charles F. Bass
The Honorable Ken Bentsen
The Honorable Marion Berry
The Honorable Judy Biggert
The Honorable Rod R. Blagojevich
The Honorable Roy Blunt
The Honorable Sherwood L. Boehlert
The Honorable John A. Boehner
The Honorable Henry Bonilla
The Honorable David E. Bonior
The Honorable John Boozman
The Honorable Robert A. Borski
The Honorable Leonard L. Boswell
The Honorable Kevin Brady
The Honorable Henry E. Brown, Jr.
The Honorable Richard Burr
The Honorable Dan Burton
The Honorable Ken Calvert
The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito
The Honorable Michael E. Capuano
The Honorable Brad Carson
The Honorable Michael N. Castle
The Honorable Steve Chabot
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss
The Honorable Donna M. Christensen
The Honorable Eva M. Clayton
The Honorable Mac Collins
The Honorable John Conyers, Jr.
The Honorable John Cooksey
The Honorable Jerry F. Costello
The Honorable Christopher Cox
The Honorable Philip M. Crane
The Honorable Joseph Crowley
The Honorable John Abney Culberson
The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings
The Honorable Jim Davis
The Honorable Jo Ann Davis
The Honorable Susan A. Davis
The Honorable Tom Davis
The Honorable Diana DeGette
The Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro
The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart
The Honorable John T. Doolittle
The Honorable David Dreier
The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr.
The Honorable Jennifer Dunn
The Honorable Chet Edwards
The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson
The Honorable Eliot L. Engel
The Honorable Phil English
The Honorable Anna G. Eshoo
The Honorable Bob Etheridge
The Honorable Lane Evans
The Honorable Sam Farr
The Honorable Mike Ferguson
The Honorable Mark Foley
The Honorable Randy Forbes
The Honorable Harold E. Ford, Jr.
The Honorable Vito Fossella
The Honorable Rodney P. Frelinghuysen
The Honorable Martin Frost
The Honorable Richard A. Gephardt
The Honorable Jim Gibbons
The Honorable Wayne T. Gilchrest
The Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman
The Honorable Bob Goodlatte
The Honorable Lindsey O. Graham
The Honorable Sam Graves
The Honorable Gene Green
The Honorable Mark Green
The Honorable James C. Greenwood
The Honorable Felix J. Grucci, Jr.
The Honorable Gil Gutknecht
The Honorable Tony P. Hall
The Honorable James V. Hansen
The Honorable Jane Harman
The Honorable Melissa A. Hart
The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings
The Honorable Robin Hayes
The Honorable J.D. Hayworth
The Honorable Wally Herger
The Honorable Baron P. Hill
The Honorable Earl F. Hilliard
The Honorable Maurice D. Hinchey
The Honorable David L. Hobson
The Honorable Joseph M. Hoeffel
The Honorable Rush D. Holt
The Honorable Darlene Hooley
The Honorable Stephen Horn
The Honorable Amo Houghton
The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer
The Honorable Kenny C. Hulshof
The Honorable Jay Inslee
The Honorable Johnny Isakson
The Honorable Steve Israel
The Honorable Darrell E. Issa
The Honorable Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee
The Honorable Christopher John
[[Page H6104]]
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson
The Honorable Nancy L. Johnson
The Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones
The Honorable Paul E. Kanjorski
The Honorable Marcy Kaptur
The Honorable Ric Keller
The Honorable Sue W. Kelly
The Honorable Mark R. Kennedy
The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy
The Honorable Peter T. King
The Honorable Jack Kingston
The Honorable Mark Steven Kirk
The Honorable Dennis J. Kucinich
The Honorable Ray LaHood
The Honorable Nick Lampson
The Honorable James R. Langevin
The Honorable Rick Larsen
The Honorable John B. Larson
The Honorable Tom Latham
The Honorable Steven C. LaTourette
The Honorable James A. Leach
The Honorable Barbara Lee
The Honorable Sander M. Levin
The Honorable Jerry Lewis
The Honorable John Lewis
The Honorable Ron Lewis
The Honorable Frank A. LoBiondo
The Honorable Nita M. Lowey
The Honorable Frank D. Lucas
The Honorable Ken Lucas
The Honorable Bill Luther
The Honorable Stephen F. Lynch
The Honorable Carolyn McCarthy
The Honorable Karen McCarthy
The Honorable James P. McGovern
The Honorable John M. McHugh
The Honorable Scott McInnis
The Honorable Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon
The Honorable Michael R. McNulty
The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney
The Honorable James H. Maloney
The Honorable Jim Matheson
The Honorable Martin T. Meehan
The Honorable Carrie P. Meek
The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks
The Honorable Robert Menendez
The Honorable John L. Mica
The Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald
The Honorable Dan Miller
The Honorable Jeff Miller
The Honorable Dennis Moore
The Honorable James P. Moran
The Honorable Constance A. Morella
The Honorable Sue Wilkins Myrick
The Honorable Jerrold Nadler
The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano
The Honorable Richard E. Neal
The Honorable George R. Nethercutt, Jr.
The Honorable Robert W. Ney
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton
The Honorable Charlie Norwood
The Honorable James L. Oberstar
The Honorable John W. Olver
The Honorable Major R. Owens
The Honorable Michael G. Oxley
The Honorable Bill Pascrell, Jr.
The Honorable Donald M. Payne
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
The Honorable Mike Pence
The Honorable John E. Peterson
The Honorable Thomas E. Petri
The Honorable David. D. Phelps
The Honorable Joseph R. Pitts
The Honorable Todd Russell Platts
The Honorable Richard W. Pombo
The Honorable Earl Pomeroy
The Honorable Rob Portman
The Honorable David E. Price
The Honorable Deborah Pryce
The Honorable Adam H. Putnam
The Honorable Jack Quinn
The Honorable Jim Ramstad
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel
The Honorable Thomas M. Reynolds
The Honorable Bob Riley
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
The Honorable Mike Ross
The Honorable Steven R. Rothman
The Honorable Edward R. Royce
The Honorable Paul Ryan
The Honorable Jim Ryun
The Honorable Loretta Sanchez
The Honorable Bernard Sanders
The Honorable Jim Saxton
The Honorable Bob Schaffer
The Honorable Adam B. Schiff
The Honorable Robert C. Scott
The Honorable Jose E. Serrano
The Honorable Pete Sessions
The Honorable E. Clay Shaw, Jr.
The Honorable Christopher Shays
The Honorable Don Sherwood
The Honorable John Shimkus
The Honorable Bill Shuster
The Honorable Rob Simmons
The Honorable Nick Smith
The Honorable Vic Snyder
The Honorable John M. Spratt, Jr.
The Honorable Cliff Stearns
The Honorable Ted Strickland
The Honorable John Sullivan
The Honorable John E. Sununu
The Honorable John E. Sweeney
The Honorable Thomas G. Tancredo
The Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher
The Honorable John R. Thune
The Honorable Todd Tiahrt
The Honorable Patrick J. Tiberi
The Honorable John F. Tierney
The Honorable Patrick J. Toomey
The Honorable Edolphus Towns
The Honorable Jim Turner
The Honorable Fred Upton
The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez
The Honorable David Vitter
The Honorable Greg Walden
The Honorable James T. Walsh
The Honorable Zach Wamp
The Honorable Maxine Waters
The Honorable Wes Watkins
The Honorable Diane E. Watson
The Honorable Melvin L. Watt
The Honorable J.C. Watts, Jr.
The Honorable Anthony D. Weiner
The Honorable Curt Weldon
The Honorable Dave Weldon
The Honorable Ed Whitfield
The Honorable Roger F. Wicker
The Honorable Joe Wilson
The Honorable Lynn C. Woolsey
The Honorable David Wu
The Honorable C.W. Bill Young
Members of the United States Senate in Attendance
The Honorable George Allen
The Honorable Max Baucus
The Honorable Robert F. Bennett
The Honorable John B. Breaux
The Honorable Sam Brownback
The Honorable Maria Cantwell
The Honorable Jean Carnahan
The Honorable Lincoln D. Chafee
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
The Honorable Susan M. Collins
The Honorable Jon S. Corzine
The Honorable Tom Daschle
The Honorable Mike DeWine
The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd
The Honorable Russell D. Feingold
The Honorable Bill Frist
The Honorable Bob Graham
The Honorable Judd Gregg
The Honorable James M. Jeffords
The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
The Honorable John F. Kerry
The Honorable Mary L. Landrieu
The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy
The Honorable Carl Levin
The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman
The Honorable Trent Lott
The Honorable John McCain
The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski
The Honorable Frank H. Murkowski
The Honorable Bill Nelson
The Honorable Don Nickles
The Honorable Jack Reed
The Honorable Harry Reid
The Honorable John D. Rockefeller IV
The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
The Honorable Richard C. Shelby
The Honorable Gordon Smith
The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe
The Honorable Arlen Specter
The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
The Honorable Craig Thomas
The Honorable Fred Thompson
The Honorable George V. Voinovich
The Honorable John W. Warner
The Honorable Paul Wellstone
The Honorable Ron Wyden
The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Benjamin Gilman and
the Honorable Charles Rangel, Representatives from New York, and the
Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Honorable Charles Schumer,
Senators from New York, in a reading and presentation of House
Concurrent Resolution 448.
Reading and Presentation of House Concurrent Resolution 448
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, leaders of the House and
the Senate, on behalf of Ben Gilman, Senator Schumer and Senator
Clinton, and the entire New York congressional delegation, we would
like to thank you for your support of this resolution that gives us in
New York an opportunity to say thank you for the way you responded to
the attack on our city and our State.
You give our mayor and our governor an opportunity to be here on this
historic event to say you did not treat us like New Yorkers, you
treated us like Americans.
The text of the Concurrent Resolution was read as follows:
Mr. RANGEL. ``Whereas on September the 11, 2001, thousands of
innocent people were killed and injured in a combined terrorist attack
involving
[[Page H6105]]
four hijacked aircraft, the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon;
``Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks, thousands more were left
grieving for beloved family and friends, livelihoods were compromised,
and businesses and property were damaged and lost;''
Mr. GILMAN. ``Whereas the greatest loss of life, personal injury, and
physical destruction occurred in and was sustained by the City of New
York;
``Whereas Government and the American people responded decisively
through the bravery, sacrifice and toil of the fire and rescue workers,
law enforcement, building trades, caregivers, Armed Forces, and
millions more who through their many expressions of care and compassion
brought forth comfort, hope, and the promise of recovery;''
Senator CLINTON. ``Whereas the City of New York attended to the
aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center with profound
respect for the victims and compassion to the survivors; and
``Whereas the City of New York has invited the Congress to meet at
the site of the original Federal Hall, where the First Congress of the
United States convened on March 4, 1789: Now, therefore, be it''
Senator SCHUMER. ``Resolved by the House of Representatives (the
Senate concurring), That, in remembrance of the victims and the heroes
of September 11, 2001, and in recognition of the courage and spirit of
the City of New York, the Congress shall conduct a special meeting in
Federal Hall, New York, New York, on September 6, 2002.
Passed by the House of Representatives, July 25, 2002.
Passed by the Senate, July 26, 2002.''
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. Without objection, the Members present, on behalf of
themselves and the Congress of the United States, do hereby affirm the
aforesaid Concurrent Resolution.
Would Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki please come forward and
accept the Concurrent Resolution.
Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki of New York accepted the
Concurrent Resolution.
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the Honorable Vito Fossella,
Representative from New York, and the Honorable Susan Collins, Senator
from Maine, in a reading and presentation of the commemorative plaque.
Reading and Presentation of Commemorative Plaque
Senator COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, on behalf of the
United States Congress, we present this commemorative plaque to
Director Mainella for her stewardship of our Nation's treasures,
especially this building, Federal Hall.
The plaque is inscribed as follows:
``Commemorative Joint Meeting of the Congress of the United States of
America in Federal Hall, New York, New York, this Sixth Day of
September, Two Thousand and Two.''
Mr. FOSSELLA. ``Convened in remembrance of the victims and heroes of
September 11, 2001, and in recognition of the courage and spirit of the
City of New York.
``This gift to Federal Hall from the Congress of the United States of
America was made from a section of Aquia Creek, Virginia, sandstone and
used as an original building material of the United States Capitol. It
was removed on the East Central Front extension in 1958.''
The SPEAKER. Director Mainella, please come forward and accept the
commemorative plaque.
Director Mainella accepted the commemorative plaque.
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. Billy Collins, Poet Laureate of the United States of
America, will now read a poem written for this occasion entitled ``The
Names.''
Reading of ``The Names'' by Billy Collins, Poet Laureate of the United
States
Mr. COLLINS. This poem is dedicated to the victims of September 11,
and to their survivors.
``The Names''
Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night.
A fine rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze,
And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows,
I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,
Then Baxter and Calabro,
Davis and Eberling, names falling into place
As droplets fell through the dark.
Names printed on the ceiling of the night.
Names slipping around a water bend.
Twenty-six willows on the banks of a stream.
In the morning, I walked out barefoot
Among thousands of flowers
Heavy with dew like the eyes of tears,
And each had a name--
Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal
Then Gonzalez and Han, Ishikawa and Jenkins.
Names written in the air
And stitched into the cloth of the day.
A name under a photograph taped to a mailbox.
Monogram on a torn shirt.
I see you spelled out on storefront windows
And on the bright unfurled awnings of this city,
I say the syllables as I turn a corner--
Kelly and Lee,
Medina, Nardella, and O'Connor.
When I peer into the woods,
I see a thick tangle where letters are hidden
As in a puzzle concocted for children.
Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an ash,
Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton.
Secrets in the boughs of an ancient maple.
Names written in the pale sky.
Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.
Names silent in stone
Or cried out behind a door.
Names blown over the earth and out to sea.
In the evenings--weakening light, the last swallows.
A boy on a lake lifts his oars.
A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,
And the names are outlined on the rose clouds--
Vanacore and Wallace,
(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)
Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.
Names etched on the head of a pin.
One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.
A blue name needled into the skin.
Names of citizens, workers, mothers and fathers,
The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.
Alphabet of names in green rows in a field.
Names in the small tracks of birds.
Names lifted from a hat
Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.
Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.
So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the
heart.
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. The Chair now recognizes the Honorable Richard Gephardt,
Representative from Missouri and Democratic Leader of the United States
House of Representatives.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, and my fellow
colleagues of the United States Congress, today we speak of the
unspeakable, we remember the unimaginable, and we reaffirm our utmost
resolve to defend the birthright of this land and our gift outright to
this world: Ideals of liberty and tolerance that will never die.
Today, we say to the families who look to this September 11 and know
that they will know the pain of their piercing loss all over again, we
are with you as one, as the family of America. We pray that, for you,
memory will bring hope as well as tears.
We have faith that love out lasts life, and you prove it every day as
you carry on the dream of a lost husband or a wife, for the child that
was both of yours and, in the truest sense, always will be.
We think of those last calls on cell phones from a doomed building or
plane. Those last good-byes. Yet the life of a good person is like a
wellspring that does not run dry. Nothing reminds us more powerfully of
that than the rescuers of September 11, so many of them taken too, who
rescued our national spirit and, amid the smoke and the darkness at
noon, sent a flickering light that became a shining beacon for America.
So we have wept together, we have prayed together, given to each
other, and stood side by side since September 11 in common humanity and
national purpose. The sorrow has been matched by strength. America is
on a mission. Not retribution or revenge, not just to defeat terrorism,
but to show once again that good can triumph over evil and freedom can
overcome fanaticism, as we did in different forums in a global arena
twice before in the past century.
Some say that September 11, 2001, is another date that will live in
infamy. Surely that is true, but it is also true that we have never
known an assault like this, not just on our Armed Forces, but on our
people. Not just on our buildings and our possessions, or even on the
principles that we profess, but on the very foundation of this open,
diverse, democratic society.
We have grown accustomed, too accustomed, to war and slaughter in our
world. But most always it was ``over there.'' One place it came before
in the heartland was the homegrown terrorism that struck in Oklahoma
City. Today, our caring and thoughts are there as well. And they are a
half a
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world away with the young Americans who are on the front lines of
freedom from fear.
For all our differences, how remarkably one we are all today. From
Ground Zero to a sacred field in Pennsylvania, to a shattered but now
rebuilt wing of the Pentagon, and all across this broad land. On the
fatal flights of September 11, courage and resistance knew no bounds of
party or race or status. They included a young father, a conservative
columnist, and a gay man.
E Pluribus Unum.
So while we discuss and debate the next decisions, on the fundamental
issue let there be no doubt. In this great and faithful struggle there
are no Republicans, there are no Democrats, there are only Americans.
None of us, no matter how long we live or what else marks our time,
will ever forget September 11. And all of us, in the name of those who
were lost for a concept of liberty that must never be lost, and in the
cause of civilization itself, are as determined as an earlier
generation of Americans to gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
(Applause.)
Vice President CHENEY. The Chair now recognizes the Honorable Trent
Lott, the Senator from Mississippi and the Republican Leader of the
United States Senate.
Senator LOTT. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the
Congress, and distinguished guests, on behalf of the Senate and a
united Congress, it is truly an honor to stand in this place in this
city, New York City, today.
We are here to remember and to continue to mourn those that lost
their lives, those innocent men, women, and children that were killed
in that horrible event, September 11, a year ago.
We are here to show our continued appreciation for those that
struggled so mightily to free and to save those that were trapped in
the aftermath of the experience here in New York City and at the
Pentagon.
But we are also here to express our recommitment to the people of New
York and Pennsylvania and Virginia that we are with you. We will
continue our efforts to help you to rebuild physically and spiritually,
and to recommit ourselves to do everything in our power to make sure
that America is secure against this horrible event or anything like it
ever happening again.
Over the years, New York City has been called many things, from New
Amsterdam to the Big Apple. Today, the Congress of the United States,
Congressman Rangel, call it home. We are here, we are comfortable here.
We are here to stand with the people in this city because it is
symbolic of how we stand together all across America.
We came here a year ago, the week after the infamous date. We
expressed our commitment and we have been working every since to keep
that commitment, and we will continue to do so.
This is a special place, as has already been said, because the First
Congress began the work here that we continue this day. The work of
ordered liberty, preserving, expanding the freedoms that now, as then,
are the inalienable right of every person.
Two centuries ago, there were those who thought this was all
nonsense. In their ignorance and arrogance, they called America a
doomed folly. But history overtook them and their crowns and armies are
part of the dustbin of history. There are those like them today who
cannot see beyond the limits of their own hatred. It is so hard for us
in America to even understand why there would be this hatred. They do
not understand that in the unending struggle against tyranny, divine
providence by whatever name we use is always on the side of freedom.
When the First Congress was meeting here in New York in January,
1790, President Washington asked its Members for ``the cool and
deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness and wisdom.'' As we
face today's challenge to our country, we pledge to the people of New
York just what we ask of them and all Americans: The cool and
deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness, and wisdom.
We have seen it in this city. We have seen it in America, and we are
here to do our part in that effort. The duration of our present
conflict and its eventual price may be in doubt, but there can be no
doubt as to its outcome. From this city's day of horror, out of all the
loss and sorrow, has come a strength. I have seen it all across
America. A resolve. A determination which, from Manhattan, to
Mississippi, now binds us together for the mighty work that lies ahead.
Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
Vice President CHENEY. The Chair now recognizes the Honorable Tom
Daschle, the Senator from South Dakota and Majority Leader of the
United States Senate.
Senator DASCHLE. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished
visitors and my colleagues, the United States Congress has come here to
commemorate a shattering experience. One that has transformed America.
The poet Yeats, after a moment of violent upheaval in his own
country, wrote: ``All is changed. Changed utterly. A terrible beauty is
born.''
As we near the first anniversary of September 11 with profound
sadness, our hearts ache for those who died and for their families and
loved ones. At the same time, we are filled with an abiding sense of
gratitude to the people who live and work in this great city,
especially the courageous workers and rescuers, for the way they
inspired and stunned a wounded Nation.
In their countless acts of heroism and compassion, a terrible beauty
was born. In an hour of horror and grief, they showed us how to go on.
Here in New York, at the Pentagon, and in that lonely field in
Pennsylvania, the wounds the terrorist inflicted were deep. But
America's resolve was even deeper.
Let history record that the terrorists failed. They sought to destroy
America by attacking what they thought were our greatest strengths, but
they did not understand the true strength of America is not steel, it
is not concrete, it is our belief in the ideals enshrined in our
Constitution and in our Bill of Rights. It is in our shared faith in
liberty and our unwavering commitment to each other.
So what happened on September 11 did not diminish our strength. It
renewed it. We stand united today as proud citizens of the oldest and
strongest democracy on earth. Our faith in that democracy and in our
future is absolute and unshakable.
Next Wednesday, September 11, an eternal flame will be lit in Battery
Park. That flame will symbolize our determination never, ever to
forget.
We will never forget the heartbreaking loss.
We will never forget the selfless heroism.
We will never forget the terrible beauty that was born here one year
ago.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
The SPEAKER. We are gathered here today in this ceremonial session to
pay tribute to the people of New York and to the people of New York
City who have suffered great loss, but persevered in the face of
adversity. In doing so, we pay tribute to the American spirit.
It is altogether appropriate that we meet here today in Federal Hall.
After all, it was here that the First Congress met to ratify the Bill
of Rights and to inaugurate our first President of the United States,
George Washington.
As in 1789, when ordinary Americans did extraordinary things to
create a new Nation conceived in liberty and dedication to freedom, on
September 11, ordinary Americans exhibited extraordinary courage in
fighting a horrific evil.
New York lost hundreds of sons and daughters in that brutal attack on
our Nation's freedom. She lost firemen and custodians, stockbrokers,
police officers, construction workers and executives.
We also suffered a great loss in Virginia when a plane slammed into
the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, when another plane
that was headed for Washington, D.C., was brought down by the efforts
of brave passengers.
We still feel the loss of every single person who perished on that
fateful day. But as we lament the loss of life, we can marvel at the
bravery of those who rushed in to help.
Such bravery was on display when Battalion Chief Orio J. Palmer and
Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca of the New York Fire Department climbed to
the 78th floor of the World Trade Center to organize a rescue. Their
efforts saved the lives of dozens of people.
[[Page H6107]]
Bravery was also on display when several passengers of United Flight
93 decided that they would not let the terrorist complete their plans.
They sacrificed themselves rather than let the terrorists win.
Stories of uncommon heroism were common on September 11. The genius
of America could be found in the sacrifices of these brave martyrs of
freedom.
As we remember September 11, we must look forward to the day when we
complete the task at hand, when we vanquish once and for all the
terrorists who seek to take away our Nation's freedom.
We thank those Americans who serve in our Nation's Armed Forces who
fight to preserve our freedom and still work to bring terrorists to
justice.
We elected Members of the 107th Congress, like those Members gathered
in this location of the First Congress, simply reflect the desires of a
people who cherish liberty and are willing to fight for freedom.
Let us always remember those we lost on September 11, and may God
continue to bless America.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
``God Bless America'' Sung by Chamber Choir, Stuyvesant High School,
New York City.
The SPEAKER. The Stuyvesant High School Chamber Choir will now sing
``God Bless America.''
The Chamber Choir, Stuyvesant High School, sang ``God Bless
America.''
(Applause.)
The Members and guests sang ``God Bless America.''
The SPEAKER. Ladies and gentlemen of the House and the Senate, this
concludes the special ceremonial meeting of the Congress. Members are
asked to remain in their seats and make their exit with the colors.
The Chair will assure that the record of these proceedings will be
printed in the Congressional Record.
The proceedings are closed.
The Colors were retired by the Color Guard composed of members of the
New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department, New
York State Unified Court System Officers, Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey Police, and the United States Capitol Police.
[Whereupon, the Commemorative Joint Meeting of the Congress was
adjourned.]
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise first to thank all my colleagues for
voting to bring the Congress here to New York. Its been more than 200
years since Congress last met in New York City. It is a fitting tribute
that Congress has returned here at this most sorrowful time.
The past year has been a tragic and very difficult time for me and my
fellow New Yorkers. We watched in horror as terrorists hijacked two
commercial airliners and slammed them into the World Trade Center. We
watched in horror as the Twin Towers came down and dust and debris
blanketed lower Manhattan. We watched in horror as the names of the
more than 3,000 people murdered that day were announced.
But, in the days and weeks that followed, we New Yorkers experienced
something else. We felt the hopes and prayers of millions of Americans
flow over us. We felt the pride of being an American swell and
invigorate us all. We felt the determination of the greatest nation the
earth has every known renew itself and commit to rebuilding.
The terrorists intended many things with their attack. They sought to
grievously wound our nation. And we were--we paid with the blood of our
fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and brother and sisters. They
sought to disrupt our economy. And they did--billions of dollars have
been lost and will be spent on recovery.
The terrorists also sought to incite fear into the hearts and souls
of every American. But, they FAILED. Instead, they inspired a nation of
freedom loving people to stand up to those who would seek to deny them
their liberties, their justice, and the American way of life. They
inspired us to fight back, so that our children's children will grow up
in a world where they can safely speak their views, engage in the
political system, and worship in their own way.
As we meet here, in this historic location, I am reminded of one of
our country's greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln. His words, spoken
more than a century ago, are most fitting today: ``we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation
under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the
earth.''
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