Joe Lieberman: “before I describe some of the most important provisions in this legislation, I want to thank the 9/11 families who have…”

“before I describe some of the most important provisions in this legislation, I want to thank the 9/11 families who have played a critical role throughout this process. They first pushed for the establishment of the 9/11 Commission and then continued their fight, now through three major pieces of legislation, to see that its recommendations became law. I want to thank the majority leader of the Senate for his leadership in helping to get this legislation through the Congress, and through a long but ultimately very productive conference. I want to thank Senator Collins, Chairman Thompson, Senator Collins, Congressman King, and all of my colleagues on the conference committee--and their staffs--on both sides of the aisle, from all of the relevant committees, and in both the House and the Senate for their willingness to work through some difficult but critical issues to make our country safer. All of us have not been able to agree on everything in this legislation, but most of us have agreed on most of it and that is why we are able to get this comprehensive legislation to the Congress, and hopefully, very soon, to the President's desk. While this Nation was born in conflict, it was founded and grew in compromise--the melding of different threads of policy and personality into a national fabric that covers and protects us all.”