[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SPECIAL JOINT CONGRESSIONAL SESSION AT FEDERAL HALL IN NEW YORK CITY

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to this historic 
session of Congress which has been called for September 6 in New York 
City in remembrance of all those who tragically lost their lives in the 
barbaric terrorist attacks of September 11. On that horrible day last 
September, our Nation witnessed the best and the worst of humanity. We 
will never, and can never, forget the human suffering, the pain that 
our Nation went through as a result of those horrific attacks 
perpetrated against our Nation.
  However, when we witnessed the people of our Nation uniting as one in 
the immediate aftermath of September 11 and in the days, weeks, and 
months that have followed, we recognized the overwhelming hope for the 
future of our great Nation. In our darkest hour, we witnessed the 
unparalleled courage, compassion, and strength from untold numbers of 
our fellow citizens. Accordingly, it is fitting for the Congress not 
only to honor those who were tragically taken from us on that day, but 
also those among us who bravely risked their lives for others and for 
everyone who has since that tragic attack, stood steadfastly united in 
this war against terror.
  On Friday, September 6, 2002, our special session of Congress has 
been convened in Federal Hall, just 5 blocks from where the Twin Towers 
once proudly stood and where George Washington was sworn in as the 
first President of the United States. Accordingly, it is only fitting 
that we are honoring the victims of September 11, sending our deepest 
sympathies to their families on this sacred ground. This Special Joint 
Congressional session is a tribute to their memory and to the heroism 
of our fellow citizens. It is of special significance that we take part 
in this solemn, historic event to tell the rest of the world that our 
Nation stands united as one because we truly are the ``United'' States 
of America.

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