[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         STATEMENT OF GRATITUDE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, the events of the past months 
have changed both our world and our lives. Without warning, this 
country's civilians found themselves on the front lines in the war 
against terrorism. But our American spirit has prevailed. Though 
unprecedented obstacles continue to confront us, Americans have joined 
together to overcome these difficulties. Where terrorists hoped to 
divide us in chaos, our dedication to persevere made us stronger than 
ever.
  The Members and staff of the House Administration Committee along 
with the Chief Administrative Officer and his staff, the Attending 
Physician, and our friends at the General Accounting Office made a 
vital contribution to battling the recent terrorist strike on our 
country. When a suspicious letter containing anthrax caused members of 
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Senator Russell D. Feingold's 
staff, and members of the Capitol Police Department to test positive 
for exposure, the Capitol complex closed so that an environmental sweep 
of the buildings could be conducted as a precautionary measure. While 
the Congressional office buildings remained closed much longer than had 
been originally expected, thanks to everyone's efforts, Congress itself 
was able to remain active and not fulfill the terrorists' goals.
  I want to thank everyone who assisted in allowing my staff to conduct 
business from the GAO offices while our own offices in the Longworth 
building were closed. Because of their generosity and flexibility, the 
criminals behind the spread of anthrax failed in their attempt to 
disrupt democracy and bring the American government to a halt. In this 
way, they played an important role in the ongoing war on terrorism. I 
greatly appreciate their willingness to accept some inconveniences in 
order to achieve a greater goal--to keep America working.'

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