Robert Smith: “ever since the days of the pioneers, when folks would gather from miles around to participate in community barn…”

“ever since the days of the pioneers, when folks would gather from miles around to participate in community barn raisings, the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor has been an Oregon tradition. I rise today with great pride in my State to tell you that the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor reached new heights these past few days in a remarkable project entitled ``Flight for Freedom''. Spurred by New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's call that New York City was open for business, Portland Mayor Vera Katz and Portland businessman Sho Dozono came up with the idea of sending a delegation of Oregonians to New York City to lend whatever support they could to the residents of the Big Apple. It wasn't too long before 100 Oregonians signed up, and then 200, and then 500, and then 750, and when all was said and done, over 1,000 Oregonians from every corner of my state boarded planes and traveled to New York City last weekend. This delegation brought a great deal of business to New York hotels, restaurants and stores. But more important than that, they brought a great message. A message that we are one Nation. A message that the 3,000 miles between New York City and Oregon was made non-existent on September 11. A message that as New Yorkers move forward in the days and weeks ahead, Oregonians and Americans will stand with them.”