William Tauzin: “Mr. Speaker, September 11 brought this country face-to-face with what was once thought to be an unimaginable series of…”

“Mr. Speaker, September 11 brought this country face-to-face with what was once thought to be an unimaginable series of events. However, these cowardly acts of terrorism sparked in this country an unprecedented level of generosity, an outpouring of spirit, of patriotism, but also of dollars. Immediately, from every corner of this country, charities were inundated with money, with food, with clothing. Hospitals saw long lines of people offering to donate blood. Here in this Capitol complex Members and wives and husbands and staff lined up to donate blood. Shelters for the injured and homeless sprang up out of office buildings, restaurants and small businesses. Financial donations alone exceeded $1 billion. If there is ever any silver lining in this national tragedy that this awful atrocity created upon the people of this land, it is this: We saw the incarnation of the American spirit again, the true strength of our country, the true, indeed, the blessed meaning of the United States of America. But as with this and any disaster, there are unscrupulous people who will take advantage of that generosity.”