Patrick Leahy: “I rise today in support of Democratic Leader Daschle's request to bring before the Senate the Economic Recovery Act of…”

“I rise today in support of Democratic Leader Daschle's request to bring before the Senate the Economic Recovery Act of 2003, S. 414, which includes legislation I introduced last month: the First Responders Partnership Grant Act of 2003. I thank the Democratic leader for authoring this important economic stimulus package. In seeking to improve homeland security, I am proud that he saw fit to include the First Responders Partnership Grant Act-- on which he, Democratic Whip Reid and Senator Breaux join me as cosponsors. This legislation will supply our Nation's first responders with the support they so desperately need to protect homeland security and prevent and respond to acts of terrorism. I want to begin by thanking each of our Nation's brave firefighters, emergency rescuers, law enforcement officers, and other first responder personnel for the jobs they do for the American public day in and day out. Our public safety officers are often the first to respond to any crime or emergency situation. On September 11, the Nation saw that the first on the scene at the World Trade Center were the heroic firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel of New York City.”