[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20313]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 20313]]

                  THE WORK OF THE SENATE MUST CONTINUE

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the majority whip for his kindness 
in allowing me to express my appreciation and admiration for Senator 
Daschle and Senator Lott keeping us in session today. Today's statement 
is very important: That the work of the Senate is going on and will 
continue.
  Certainly, it was a very troubling thing to learn anthrax had been 
delivered to a Senate office building and 300 more people may have been 
exposed. We know the good news is exposure does not mean infection, and 
we also know from the public health professionals that this form of 
anthrax is easily treatable with all forms of antibiotics, from 
penicillin to the new Cipro. Really, this is not a threat to those 
people because our public health people moved very quickly. The medical 
teams were there, and we have taken the necessary steps.
  What the terrorists want to do is not necessarily kill anybody with 
anthrax because they are not going to do it, but they want to spread 
fear. The terrorists win if they cripple us psychologically, if they 
destroy our economy, if they turn us against ourselves, or if they 
interfere with the workings of our Government and our economy.
  We will not let them win if we do not give in to our fears. The 
medical experts tell us that anthrax is not contagious; but panic is. 
The message to our people, our bosses, the good people of America, is 
that they have been strong and their Government is going to continue to 
function.
  There will be more letters. Since we made the decision to stay in, 
there were letters that were delivered to Governor Pataki's security 
office, to the media. These will continue, and, unfortunately, there 
may be other evidence of bioterrorism or physical violence visited on 
us by terrorists, but we have strong leadership.
  On a bipartisan basis, we support the President. Most of all, we 
support the brave fighting men and women of America whose lives are on 
the line to limit the terrorists, to run them back into their holes, to 
destroy their safe havens, to take away their financial resources, and 
to terminate them.
  We will continue this fight, and the American people have responded 
marvelously. There has been a tremendous outpouring of charity, with 
billions of dollars that Americans have contributed to aid those who 
are victims. I urge we continue to support those organizations, from 
the Salvation Army to the Red Cross, and all of the other groups that 
are providing vitally needed services and who must continue to serve in 
our community.
  Continuing to support our local United Way is as important as helping 
to combat the direct impact of the terrorist activities. We are going 
to win this fight. The terrorists are not going to destroy us. We have 
seen the example of the brave people of London who survived and 
flourished when London was under fierce bombing attacks in World War 
II. We have seen the people in Israel who live with terrorism every 
day, and they are not deterred. They will continue their lives, and we 
as Americans must continue our lives.
  We are the bright and shining beacon for the world. We are the ones 
who inspire jealousy and inspire envy and inspire fear in others, but 
we have reached out the hand of friendship. The President has urged 
American children to contribute a dollar to help the children in 
Afghanistan, and that is the American way.
  We will fight against those who seek to rain violence down upon us, 
who seek to spread fear and concern among our citizens. We will be 
strong, but we will be humanitarian and we will take care of those in 
need. We will show people there is a better way. We will show people 
freedom and democracy can flourish in the face of terrorist activities. 
That is the strength of America.
  We are being tested today, and by having the Senate in session today 
we have shown that Government will go on.
  I urge my colleagues to continue their steadfast resolve. To our 
staffs and others who are frightened, be not afraid. You are not on the 
front lines where our young men and women are in danger of bullets and 
anti-aircraft missiles every day. They are showing the bravery. With 
their resolute strength and with our commitment to continue our jobs, 
terrorism will not win. We all in America can once again say, God bless 
America.
  I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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