[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17190-17191]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 PROVIDING FOR EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY 
  OFFICERS KILLED OR INJURED IN CONNECTION WITH TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 
                           SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this President, this 
nation and this legislation. The devastating and cowardly attack on the 
World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the American people, and free 
democratic societies everywhere must be responded to with the swift 
justice and mighty force of the United States military and our allies. 
We must continue to stand together to make it through this most 
difficult time. We must also support the victims, families and the 
heroic search and rescue teams currently working tirelessly in New York 
as well as the on-going investigations of these deplorable acts. 
Yesterday, we voted for the Victims of Terrorism Relief Act of 2001 to 
provide tax relief for the victims of this heinous attack on our soil. 
In addition, we passed legislation that will expedite payments of 
certain benefits to public safety officers. These are just two of the 
necessary steps to ensure the largest possible benefit to the families 
of those who have paid the greatest possible price. Today, we must 
focus on the vast work that remains to be done. None of this, however, 
will be feasible without significant resources that are dedicated to 
their intended purpose.
  As we enter into a potentially prolonged attack on terrorism and its 
sponsors throughout the world, we must be prepared for the consequences 
of this significant decision. We must take steps to ensure that the 
resources are available to secure our skies and protect our people. 
These steps must include funding for fortifying our military, upgrading 
our intelligence, and security needs, while simultaneously supporting 
those who are suffering from the effects of the devastation of a few 
short days ago. The supplemental funding that

[[Page 17191]]

we are voting on will support our military, rebuild our city, and 
assist those who are suffering. Mr. Speaker, I stand with my 
colleagues, united with our President and in defiance of those who 
believe that they can threaten our freedom. I support this legislation 
and pray for the victims, the rescue workers and all Americans.

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