Political Quotes

“a little more than a year after the assaults on New York and Washington, we are still in a heightened state of concern about the safety of our Nation. With the bill we pass today, H.R. 3253, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002, strengthens the role of the Department of Veterans Affairs to protect the people of the United States from terrorists, particularly bio-terrorism threats such as last year's anthrax attacks in Washington, New York, New Jersey and Florida. We must be proactive in preparing the United States for a future terrorist attack. As Vice President Cheney cautioned this year, "The prospects of a future attack against the United States are almost certain. Not a matter of it, but when. It could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week, it could happen next year, but they will keep trying." We must respond in an effective and comprehensive manner to protect the American people when an attack occurs. This bill would help do just that. Under this bill, four geographically separated National Medical Emergency Preparedness Centers would be established.”