Sam Gibbons: “I look forward tomorrow to joining approximately 250 of my colleagues at the Joint Meeting of Congress in New York City…”

“I look forward tomorrow to joining approximately 250 of my colleagues at the Joint Meeting of Congress in New York City, where we will honor the victims and celebrate the heroes of September 11, 2001. We will be returning to the city which terrorists targeted for devastation almost 1 year ago, and yet the terrorists did not succeed in destroying this Nation or the American spirit. Instead, our Nation is strong, our people are its strength. The people of New York are the beacon to the strength of the American spirit. Tomorrow we will see firsthand that strength, and how New York City has survived in spite of the horrible tragedy of September 11. Our message to those terrorists is that no one in this Nation will retreat, and we will not be intimidated. Terrorism against the United States, our freedom, and our people will never be tolerated. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of New York for welcoming Congress to their city. May this visit symbolize not only the unity of Congress, but that of the entire country to rebuild our Nation and defend our freedom.”