Vito Fossella: “I know the underlying legislation is very noble in the sense of its essence of cleaning and maintaining the wonder of…”

“I know the underlying legislation is very noble in the sense of its essence of cleaning and maintaining the wonder of our beaches and our coastal areas. And as someone who grew up and still has family in South Beach and Staten Island, New York, I'm very sensitive to the notion that our beaches are our Nation's jewels. But I'm also very sensitive to the fact that there are terrorists among us who will use any way possible to destroy innocent life. I know all too full well that on September 11, 2001, when almost 300 of my constituents perished at the World Trade Center because of fanatics who flew two planes by now we know into the World Trade Center. So to me still the most important thing that this country can do is to protect innocent people. While we all enjoy the beaches, we know that the greatest threat we face in this country are those who want to kill us and do us harm. We know that we've debated this FISA bill many times in this House, and the other body has passed, I think, a very effective bipartisan way that will keep this Nation safe.”