Gregory Meeks: “I woke up this morning not knowing, really, where was the appropriate place for me to be. Being a New Yorker, I did not…”

“I woke up this morning not knowing, really, where was the appropriate place for me to be. Being a New Yorker, I did not know whether I should be at Ground Zero this morning, whether I should be in my community with many of my constituents, or whether I should be here in Washington, D.C. I made the decision to try to do a little bit of both, so I spent this morning with my constituents in New York, but then felt that it was most important for me to come here to Washington as we reflect on what took place just a year ago today, as we memorialize the individuals who lost their lives a year ago today, as we sit with and hold hands with the family members of those who lost their lives. It is time for reflection; and as I reflect and think about just last Friday, as Members of the United States Congress came to New York for the first time since 1789 and went to the original Federal Hall, it struck me about this great thing that we know called democracy, and why we have to stand and fight and make sure that democracy prevails. For when I just think, in 1789, I as an African American may not have been able, or not 'may not,' would not have been able to be part of that Congress. But democracy has prevailed, so that in 2002 I am a Member of this Congress; and we are here today where the Congressional Black Caucus is meeting. We must preserve that democracy.”