[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Pages 27801-27802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINIA

  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to express my deepest 
gratitude to and admiration for the citizens of Williamson in Mingo 
County, West Virginia for their generosity and sacrifice on behalf of 
others. Their donation of approximately $26,000 to the ``Families of 
Freedom Scholarship Fund,'' to aid the children of those lost in the 
terrorist attacks on our country over three months ago, is symbolic of 
the tremendous compassion and unity of the American people. I would 
like to thank the citizens of Williamson on behalf of all the families 
who will be able to take advantage of this scholarship fund. They have 
reached deep into their hearts and pockets to send the children 
affected by the September 11 attacks a truly beautiful gift.
  Earlier this month, I met with Williamson Mayor Estil ``Breezy'' 
Bevins, Fire Chief Grover ``Curt'' Philips and Police Chief Roby Pope 
when they presented $26,000 in donations in Senator Byrd's office. 
Shortly after September 11, the City Council voted to donate $5,000 to 
the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Over $15,000 was 
collected on September 14 through a ``boot drive'' where police 
officers, firefighters and others took to the streets to stop cars to 
collect money. As I told Mayor Bevins, Williamson's trememdous efforts 
and energy symbolize the spirit of ``small-Town America.''

[[Page 27802]]

  I suggested that the town consider sending their donations to the 
``Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund,'' which former President 
Clinton and former Majority Leader Bob Dole chair together. The Fund 
provides educational assistance for the children and spouses of those 
killed or permanently disabled in the terrorist attacks of September 
11. I would like to thank my friend and colleague Senator Rockefeller 
for contacting my office to seek guidance on directing the donations. I 
am very grateful to Senators Byrd and Rockefeller for joining me in 
receiving the people of Williamson's donation earlier this month.
  This small town in southern West Virginia, thousands of miles away 
from the Twin Towers, has experienced its own share of adversity, 
including a devastating flood in 1977. Perhaps Williamson's struggle to 
overcome its own set of hurdles has made the citizens there especially 
sympathetic to the tremendous obstacles that the people of New York 
City are facing. At the same time as Williamson has reached out to 
those affected by the terrorist attacks in New York City, they are 
working to tackle financial difficulties in their own backyard and I 
applaud their efforts. An aggressive economic development effort is 
underway to secure a wood products park, most aquaculture and a 
stronger market for coal.
  Many Americans have felt a personal need in their everyday lives to 
reach out to their neighbors, coworkers or even strangers to offer 
assistance, both large and small. We saw it in New York with people 
standing in line for hours to donate blood, and with families donating 
food to rescue workers who were toiling around the clock, or companies 
who wanted to contribute funding and resources. ``What can I do to 
help?'' is a common, if not universal refrain that Americans have 
spoken, or thought quietly to themselves, since the attacks. The people 
of Williamson have matched those noble words with action, and New 
Yorkers thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their outpouring 
of compassion.
  Winston Churchill once said, ``We make a living by what we get. We 
make a life by what we give.'' During this time of tremendous grief and 
anxiety that's being felt in all corners of the world, the citizens' of 
Williamson efforts to ensure that children who have been affected by 
these terrible attacks are not forgotten will provide comfort to many 
and inspiration for us all.

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