Nita Lowey: “We in New York have been bracing for another terrorist blow since September 11, and all of America has experienced that…”

“We in New York have been bracing for another terrorist blow since September 11, and all of America has experienced that anxiety. I know the chairman is totally committed to doing everything possible to protect our communities against any potential attack. It is my understanding from both Federal and local intelligence briefings that New York is still acknowledged to be the top target for terrorism. I believe that New York City and other cities across our country, including Yonkers, New York, in my district, need dedicated resources to protect sites of national significance and critical infrastructure. I agree with Secretary Ridge that we must distribute Federal funds on the basis of threat of terrorist attack and need, as well as population. Our resources are limited, our responsibilities enormous, so we must be strategic; and I hope that the number of us who represent high-threat, high-density urban areas can work with the gentleman to examine this issue.”