[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21267-21269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   SPECIAL JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 31, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my colleagues I rise to 
introduce statements delivered in connection with the Special Joint 
Session of Congress convened in New York City on September 6, 2002.
  In commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade 
Center and Pentagon, a Special Joint Session of the Congress convened 
at Federal Hall in the City of New York--the location of the first 
meeting of Congress in 1789.
  At the conclusion of this historic session, Mayor Michael R. 
Bloomberg hosted a luncheon for members of Congress and many other 
national and community leaders, as a gesture of thanks from the City of 
New York for all of the help that it received in recovering from the 
attacks.
  I believe that the nature and occasion of the event necessitates its 
inclusion in this commemorative document so that, along with the events 
at the Special Joint Session, it can be recorded for posterity.
  The attendees heard from the Mayor, the Governor of New York, George 
Pataki, Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, Minority Leader, Trent 
Lott, Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, House Minority Leader 
Gephardt, and Mrs. Susan Magazine, Assistant Commissioner of the Family 
Assistance Unit of the Fire Department of New York City. As the Dean of 
the New York State Delegation, I also addressed those in attendance.

       Mayor Bloomberg: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Mike Bloomberg, 
     and I'm pleased to be the mayor of the city of New York. 
     Thank you.
       There is an expression that you will hear in New York 
     frequently at this time of the year that you may or may not 
     be familiar with. It sounds like ``chana tova,'' which means 
     ``happy new year.'' And for those of you that care, happy new 
     year. (Applause)
       Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Daschle, Minority Leader 
     Gephardt, Minority Leader Lott, distinguished members of 
     Congress, including the dean of New York state's delegation, 
     the Honorable Charles Rangel . . . (Applause) . . . and our 
     two great members of the upper chamber, Senators Schumer and 
     Clinton . . . (Applause) . . . good afternoon. I am delighted 
     to welcome you to New York for this truly historic occasion.
       Today, we hearken back to the early days of our republic, 
     when the first Congress convened in New York and George 
     Washington

[[Page 21268]]

     was inaugurated as our president. Many of our founding 
     fathers lived in New York in those days, including Thomas 
     Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock and others. So many 
     others, in fact, that the painter of ``The Declaration of 
     Independence,'' the famous canvas that hangs in the Capitol 
     Rotunda, had to move to New York to finish his work.
       It's often been pointed out that the decision Congress made 
     to move the capital from New York to a new site on the banks 
     of the Potomac, in effect, gave the U.S. two capitals. We now 
     have one capital in Washington, DC, for the government, and 
     one here, for business and culture. Rather than feel 
     slighted, New York has always embraced its role.
       Today's joint session, for however briefly, made New York 
     the nation's capital once again. But now we'll just have to 
     revert to our regular status: as capital of the free world. 
     (Applause)
       I would like to acknowledge an institution, first, without 
     which this day just would not have been possible, the 
     Annenberg Foundation.
       The foundation generously donated $1 million to cover all 
     the travel, food and security expenses associated with 
     today's wonderful show of support for freedom. (Applause)
       We are blessed to have with us today, from Pennsylvania and 
     from California, Lee Annenberg.
       Would you please stand and let us say thank you? (Applause)
       Congress's decision to return to New York symbolically 
     closes a circle at a crucial time in our history. It brings 
     Congress back to its first home, if only for one day, to send 
     a message to the nation and the entire world: The spirit of 
     this city and the spirit of this country remains unshaken. 
     (applause)
       We are as united today as we were when the first congress 
     met in Lower Manhattan more than 200 years ago, because our 
     commitment to freedom has never been stronger. (Applause) As 
     a nation, and as a city, we've learned a lot about ourselves 
     on September 11th, when the unimaginable became a reality. 
     What happened down the street from here wasn't just an 
     assault on New York, it was an attack on our nation and on 
     all freedom-loving people around the world.
       That day, as the world watched, our rescue teams battled 
     the smoke and the chaos. It didn't matter whether you came 
     from Astoria or Atlanta or Australia, from Queens or Kansas 
     or Kenya, New York was everybody's home town that day.
       The stakes for our nation were raised. Someone placed a big 
     bet that they could destroy New York, a city that has 
     contributed immeasurably to building the greatest democracy 
     on Earth. This city has responded. This nation has responded. 
     America is a nation founded on a particular set of ideas: the 
     right to express yourself as you see fit, the right to 
     worship God in your own way, the right to live without fear.
       What happened on September 11th was not only an attack on 
     our people, but on those freedoms and our basic way of life. 
     And all Americans understand that.
       New Yorkers recognize that we would not have made it 
     through the darkest days in our city's history without our 
     nation's help. It poured in from around the country in the 
     form of food, equipment and volunteers, and through emotional 
     and moral support beyond value. And I want all Americans to 
     understand that we know you were there for us when we needed 
     you and we will be there for you if you ever need us. 
     (Applause)
       Congress has also stood with us. More than we ever had a 
     right to expect, you helped and are continuing to help New 
     York to rebuild and recover. And on behalf of all New 
     Yorkers, it is my honor to say, ``Thank you.'' (Applause)
       As you know, our work is not done yet, not by any means. 
     But the recovery that began on 9/11 and the work we've done 
     since simply could not have happened without your support. 
     And let me also convey our appreciation to President Bush for 
     his courageous leadership in a time of crisis, for coming to 
     New York to share our grief and to share our determination to 
     not just endure the tragedy visited upon us, but to emerge 
     stronger from the events of September 11th. (applause)
       I am pleased to report that, with your help, we have made 
     triumphant progress since that day. Because of remarkable 
     bipartisan cooperation among all levels of government, labor 
     and the private sector, we finished the recovery work at the 
     World Trade Center site ahead of schedule, under budget, and 
     with no additional loss of life. (Applause)
        This while the search for the remains of our loved ones 
     went forward with dignity and honor. We created a temporary 
     memorial in Battery Park, where the Sphere sculpture from the 
     World Trade Center Plaza now sits. Next Wednesday, during the 
     one-year commemoration of that fateful day, U.N. Secretary 
     General Kofi Annan and our secretary of state, Colin Powell, 
     along with the heads of state from around the world, will 
     join a ceremony there. At that observance, an eternal flame 
     will be lighted near the base of the sphere in honor of those 
     we lost, and to show that democracy and freedom will always 
     endure. (Applause) We also honor those we lost by building a 
     better city for the future. With Congress's help, we are 
     doing just that.
       Largely due to an economic incentive program which you have 
     funded, many companies that were displaced plan to rejoin 
     those, such as American Express, Merrill Lynch and Dow Jones, 
     that have already moved back and made long-term commitments 
     to staying in Lower Manhattan.
       Because of a residential incentive program you have funded 
     and because Lower Manhattan is a great place to live, more 
     than 90 percent of the housing in Lower Manhattan is 
     currently occupied. And the federally funded liberty bonds 
     program will spur billions of dollars in construction in 
     Lower Manhattan for new commercial spaces and housing.
       The federal, state and local governments have forged a 
     genuine partnership to revive Lower Manhattan and to rebuild 
     our essential transportation, telecommunications and energy 
     structures. Just last month, FEMA granted us unprecedented 
     flexibility to spend federal funds to create a transportation 
     center for the 21st century that will make Lower Manhattan 
     more accessible than ever.
       The future of Lower Manhattan is promising, as is the 
     future of all New York City and indeed of the entire country. 
     Here, our city continues to be the safest large city in the 
     nation.
       We have committed increased resources to combat the new 
     threats we now face from enemies foreign and domestic. We've 
     strengthened our counterterrorism and intelligence 
     operations. And as they take on new burdens, our police 
     department continues to drive crime down.
       New York has no intention of relinquishing its title of 
     capital of the free world. (Applause) New York is a city of 
     big ideas, big projects and big events, and that will never 
     change. For example, in the year since the September 11th 
     attack, New York City has been host to a World Series, the 
     New York City Marathon, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 
     New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, where I was 
     inaugurated, the World Economic Forum, a new international 
     film festival, the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular 
     telecast nationally, the U.S. Tennis Open currently going on, 
     and last night's Times Square kick-off of the NFL season, 
     where I met Jon Bon Jovi. (Laughter) (Applause) We even held 
     a world-class grand prix bicycle race right here on Wall 
     Street this summer.
       Since we're not the type to rest on our laurels, we are 
     trying to convince both the Republican and Democratic 
     National Committees to hold both conventions here in the year 
     2004. (Applause)
       As a matter of fact, this joint session is a perfect 
     opportunity to go after both at the same time. How bipartisan 
     can you be? (Laughter)
       We are also pursuing a Super Bowl and the 2012 Summer 
     Olympics. (Applause) I see Nancy Pelosi is here from our 
     fellow Olympic finalist San Francisco: Do you want me to arm-
     wrestle for it, Nancy? (Laughter)
       I better start training though. After all, Nancy, you are 
     the minority whip, so. But that's just the kind of ambition 
     you'd expect of this city. And, if anything, 9/11 has made us 
     even more committed to demonstrating the energy and vibrant 
     cultural life of our city. We will create a memorial on the 
     site of the World Trade Center that everyone can be proud of; 
     a memorial that not only honors those that were taken, but 
     reaffirms the values that triumphed on that day and the days 
     after.
       In our actions, in our passion, we can do great things and 
     show that we not allow our lives to be ruled by fear, and be 
     guided by the very principles of democracy which you the 
     Congress represent and which the terrorists found so 
     threatening.
       When you look at New York today, when you look at the city 
     where people from all parts of the world live next to each 
     other, where more than 120 different languages are spoken and 
     where virtually every religion in the world is practiced, you 
     realize what makes America and what makes New York great. We 
     thrive because of our diversity, because of our respect for 
     one another and because a free society is a strong society.
       In conclusion, let me recall what our president said about 
     that September morning. He described it as a battle between 
     fear and freedom.
       By convening in our city, you, the U.S. Congress, have 
     demonstrated to all New Yorkers and all the world that fear 
     can never prevail as long as freedom is strong.
       Thank you very much. (Applause) Thank you. Thank you. 
     Please be seated.
       One of our founding fathers, an eminent New Yorker, 
     Alexander Hamilton, wrote in ``The Federalist Papers'' that 
     quote, ``Energy in the executive is a leading character in 
     the definition of good government.''
       New York state is fortunate to have an energetic chief 
     executive, who has wisely and skillfully guided our city and 
     state through the crisis created by the attack of 9/11.
       Our next speaker is the great governor of the wonderful 
     state of New York, the Honorable George E. Pataki. (Applause)
       Governor Pataki: Thank you very much, Mayor Bloomberg. And 
     thank you for those inspiring words on behalf of the people 
     of New York City.
       To Speaker Hastert, Leader Daschle, Leader Gephardt, Leader 
     Lott, ladies and gentlemen of the 107th Congress, welcome to 
     the greatest city in the world. (Applause)

[[Page 21269]]

       It's been 212 years since Congress last gathered here, only 
     blocks away from where we're assembled right now. It was here 
     that America's first Congress met, here that George 
     Washington took the oath of office and here that the Bill of 
     Rights was ratified, protecting the freedoms of American 
     citizens. So it is altogether fitting that you, the men and 
     women of the 107th Congress, have returned here to affirm 
     once more our nation's commitment to preserving those 
     freedoms from those who would seek to destroy them.
       We meet nearly one year after the worst terrorist attack 
     ever launched against the United States. Our nation is 226 
     years old, but the vigilance needed to preserve our liberty 
     and to protect our democracy must be eternal.
       It was in this spirit, fueled by our love for America and 
     our reverence for freedom, that New Yorkers responded in the 
     early morning hours of September 11th. And in times of 
     crisis, there are no stronger people than the people of New 
     York. Police officers, firefighters, court officers, port 
     authority officers, EMTs, construction workers, volunteers 
     and citizens from all backgrounds rushed to the scene in a 
     demonstration of extraordinary courage and sacrifice. We met 
     adversity with resolve. We answered terror with strength. We 
     responded to evil with good. We defeated hatred with 
     tolerance.
       Your assembling here today sends a powerful message to the 
     people of the world, to our allies and to our enemies. 
     Inspired by the strength, perseverance and compassion of our 
     heroes and the people across America, our unity and our 
     resolve has only grown stronger. We will remember. We will 
     rebuild. And we will move forward with the unity and 
     confidence of a free people.
       Our sadness from the images of destruction and our memories 
     of those we lost on September 11th will forever be embedded 
     in our minds. Yet when we look back on that fateful day, we 
     will look back not just in sadness, but also with pride, in 
     the actions of New Yorkers and of Americans across this great 
     land, who stepped forward in our cities in our nation's hour 
     of adversity.
       And to President Bush, and to this united Congress, you 
     stepped forward for New York and for America, helping 
     families and helping this city to recover, to rebuild and to 
     reclaim its destiny.
       You came to ground zero. You saw the destruction. And like 
     so many other Americans, you responded and did your part. On 
     behalf of all New Yorkers, I'd like to say thank you. 
     (Applause)
       Freedom is our legacy and our inalienable right as citizens 
     of this great nation. It is our heritage. It is our 
     birthright that was established here by the first Congress 
     212 years ago, and then reaffirmed today by this Congress 212 
     years later. Your presence here today means a great deal to 
     all Americans, but especially to New Yorkers. It shows we 
     have not forgotten, nor will future generations of America 
     forget.
       A century from now, they will know that the terrorists 
     failed. They will know that in the face of destruction--we 
     faced destruction with determination. We turned despair into 
     hope. And we turned tragedy into triumph. We are united in 
     our fight against terror. And in our defense of freedom, we 
     are vigilant, we are strong, we are New Yorkers, we are 
     Americans. Thank you. God bless New York. And God bless the 
     United States of America. Thank you. (Applause)
       Mayor Bloomberg: Fourteen days after September 11th, New 
     York's newspaper, The Daily News, first proposed New York's 
     hosting of a joint congressional session. It wrote that such 
     a session would be a symbol, quote, ``of unity, strength and 
     resolve such as the world has never seen.'' Now I would like 
     to introduce the earliest governmental champion of that idea, 
     the dean of New York's congressional delegation, Charlie 
     Rangel. (Applause)

     

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