[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10424-S10425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SENATE ANTHRAX ATTACK

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, one year ago today, a letter containing 
about two grams of anthrax was opened in my office. My staff, Senator 
Feingold's staff, and the law enforcement and medical personnel who 
responded to the incident were suddenly thrown into a world of 
frightening uncertainty.
  Twenty-eight people tested positive for exposure to multiple lethal 
doses of anthrax, and about 45 others were presumed to be significantly 
exposed.
  They endured 100 to 120 days of antibiotics and the fear and anxiety 
that accompany the largest bioterrorist attack on U.S. soil. All the 
while, they continued to come to work and do their jobs--jobs that 
included trying to protect the rest of America from a similar fate.
  Of course, the effects of this attacks were felt well beyond my 
office. Hundreds of others from the immediate area were placed on 
preventive antibiotics. House and Senate office buildings were closed 
for several days, and the Hart building was closed for 3 months.
  Every member and employee of the Senate was affected, and I must say 
it was an inspiration to see how well our community pulled together to 
ensure that the Senate continued to address the business of the 
country.
  In retrospect, we were very lucky. We knew exactly when and where 
people had been exposed, which gave us an advantage that others did not 
have--the opportunity to provide those who were exposed with immediate 
preventive care. And while there were some terrifying times, no one in 
the Senate community died as a result of their exposure to anthrax.
  Sadly, others were not so lucky. Robert Stevens and Ernesto Blanco 
had no idea they had been exposed to anthrax when they fell ill. 
October 5 is the anniversary that Ernesto Blanco remembers; October 5 
is the day his co-worker, Robert Stevens, died.
  Next week America's postal workers will mark two more tragic 
anniversaries: October 21 is the day Thomas L. Morris, Jr. died of 
inhalation anthrax, and his colleague Joseph P. Curseen, Jr. succumbed 
the following day.
  Because it was not yet understood that the deadly bacteria could 
escape through envelopes, Mary Morris, Celeste Curseen, and their 
families and friends have endured a terribly painful year.
  Thomas Morris, Joseph Curseen, and all of America's postal workers 
continued to work even when they knew they could risk for exposure to 
anthrax or other biological or chemical agents. Postal workers accept 
those and other risks every day, and for their courage and dedication, 
they deserve a nation's gratitude.
  Those who knew and loved Kathy Nguyen and Ottillie Lundgren have 
their own anniversaries approaching: October 31 and November 17. 
Exactly how these women were exposed remains a sad mystery.
  Still others, including Ernesto Blanco, LeRoy Richmond, and Naomi 
Wallace, survived the disease. But many of them are suffering from 
debilitating often painful long-term health effects. They have no 
anniversary to mark the end of their ordeal, for it is ongoing.
  All of these people, like the first responders and Senate employees 
exposed to anthrax, were innocent victims.
  My staff and I feel a special kinship with the families of those who 
died and with those who continue to struggle with their health. On 
their behalf, and on behalf of the entire Senate, I extend our deepest 
sympathy to those to who lost friends and loved ones and our very best 
wishes for a full recovery to those who survived the disease.
  What else shall we offer these families? They need more than our 
sympathy. They--and all Americans--need our absolute resolve to ensure 
that our country does everything it reasonably can to prevent and 
address the bioterrorist threat, so that others do not suffer what they 
have suffered. As tragic as the anthrax attacks of last fall were, they 
could have been much worse, and we must prepare ourselves for and 
defend against the possibility of far greater threats.
  We must be vigilant in our effort to identify and neutralize 
terrorist cells. We must develop better ways to detect chemical and 
biological agents in the air, water, and food supplies. We must develop 
better vaccines. We must develop better treatments for those who are 
exposed to deadly viruses, bacteria, and agents. And we must develop 
better coordination between the various public health, intelligence and 
other government entities responsible for addressing the bioterrorist 
threat.
  The victims and their families also need and deserve to know that the 
perpetrator or perpetrators of these terrible crimes will be brought to 
justice. We are all frustrated by the fact that the person or persons 
responsible are still out there, capable of striking again. This is a 
complex case, and I know the FBI has focused many resources on it. I am 
hopeful they will soon be in a position to bring the case to a 
successful close.
  One year ago today, an anthrax-laden letter was opened in my office.

[[Page S10425]]

  Let us mark this anniversary--and all the sad anniversaries since 
September 11--with a renewed sense of community, a renewed 
determination to protect each other, and a renewed resolve to preserve 
America's strength and spirit.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Jeffords). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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