[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17462-17463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 2001 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR RECOVERY FROM AND 
           RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2888, the 
emergency supplemental appropriations bill providing essential funds 
for recovery from and response to the terrorist attacks on New York, 
Washington, and Pennsylvania.
  I want to thank our distinguished Chairman, Mr. Young of Florida, and 
our ranking member, Mr. Obey, for their hard work in negotiating this 
essential package with the leadership of both bodies and the President. 
The mettle of a nation is tested at trying times, and the response 
before us today demonstrates that America, her people, and her leaders, 
are ready for this test.
  Today we provide $40 billion to start beginning to pay for the damage 
caused by the attack, to assist the victims who were impacted by it, to 
upgrade our security, and to begin the military preparations necessary 
for an appropriate response. $10 billion is available immediately for 
the President to use as he sees fit. Another $10 billion is available 
after the President specifies how he wishes to use the funding provided 
that the Congress concurs within fifteen days of that plan. Congress as 
part of our work on regular appropriations bills will expend the final 
$20 billion based upon a submission of a budget request by the 
President and further action in the weeks ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, there have been so many times when America has committed 
her resources to the causes of peace and in support of freedom. There 
can be no more appropriate time than when our homeland has been 
attacked and our citizens killed.
  I am one who believes that we should celebrate the victory that we 
had in the thousands of people who survived, and in the outpouring of 
the American spirit in support of the victims of the attack.
  No one will forget the devotion of the firefighters, police, and 
emergency medical technicians who braved the danger presented by the 
destruction.
  No one can ignore the determination of the iron, steel and 
construction workers who felt an obligation to donate their 
professional skills to the rescue effort.

[[Page 17463]]

  No one can doubt the conviction of the men and women of America's 
military who moved swiftly to safeguard our nation, or the thousands of 
Americans on reserve duty who stood ready for the call to action.
  The entire world is in awe of the outpouring of support of people, 
from the youngest children to our senior citizens who looked for things 
or money to donate, wrote encouraging message to the worker, and 
supported friends, neighbors and even strangers in any way they could 
during a traumatic time.
  But that is what America is. America is resilient. America is 
resourceful. America is at her very best when challenged and when 
angered. Others around the world often misunderstand America's resolve. 
Now the execution of that resolve will leave no questions.
  In this Capitol, we celebrate what makes our nation special. We 
revere the times when we can pursue those policies that we believe to 
be in the best interest of the United States. We have heated and 
principled debates in which we highlight, not hide, our differences of 
opinion. We cherish those moments because that is what freedom brings 
to us--the ability to advance those causes that are important to us, 
while openly disagreeing with those we dislike without the fear of 
retribution.
  And now, in a moment of historical significance, we also celebrate 
another matter that makes our nation special--the ability to come 
together as one when our precious freedom is attacked by those who 
either misunderstand or are fearful of freedom's power.
  In the days and weeks to come, this Congress will work together on 
behalf of our nation. We will have disagreements, and at the end of the 
day our nation and we will be better for it.
  Those who thought that they could infect our nation with ill will 
should remember the words of a great man who served in this very 
building, Hubert Humphrey: ``Freedom is the most contagious virus known 
to man.'' Let us use this challenge to create an opportunity for 
America to once again celebrate freedom, and to help spread it to 
others who for too long have been under the scourge of terror.

                          ____________________