Robert Torricelli: “There are moments when we are reminded why our fathers and mothers created this Union. This is one of those moments to…”

“There are moments when we are reminded why our fathers and mothers created this Union. This is one of those moments to provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare. All of America was attacked, but that attack fell most directly on the peoples of several States. The President of the United States has reminded us that in this new war, we are all soldiers. If that be the case, the obligation of this Senate is to provide resources for all the police officers, all the citizens, all the workers who are on the front lines. Since September 11, thousands and thousands of people are unable to get to their place of employment because the trains under the Hudson River were, in some instances, destroyed; businesses had to relocate and have had enormous economic disruptions. The Appropriations Committee has provided money to repair those trains, and $100 million for ferry service so businesses can continue to operate. We are told that one of the greatest threats to our security in another terrorist attack is the tunnels under the Hudson River, identified as the primary threat in the country.”