Political Quotes

“I rise to introduce the Punishing Terrorist Hoaxes Act of 2001. In the days since September 11, all of us have learned that anthrax hoaxes are no joking matter. They are acts of terror in the true sense of the word because they inflict great fear and anxiety on innocent people. In addition, these hoaxes drain resources from police and emergency workers--resources desperately needed not only for the real war on terror, but for all of the ordinary emergencies that continue to arise every single day. According to recent reports, there have been some 160 anthrax and other terrorism hoaxes since September 11. In Connecticut, one hoax triggered the evacuation of 800 government employees for two days. Hoaxes in Virginia and Oregon have shut down post offices. In my State of North Carolina, from Greensboro to Chapel Hill, hoaxes have targeted and terrified workers at family planning medical clinics--workers who already must live with death threats day in and day out. I have spoken with law enforcement officials in North Carolina who believe we need new Federal legislation specifically to fight hoaxes.”