On the recordSeptember 11, 2012
since this is a day of remembrance of 9/ 11, when I started my day this morning, I picked up a book I read from time to time. It is called ``One Simple Act'' by Debbie Macomber, and it is about gratitude and being generous. The very first paragraph I picked up happens to be about 9/11. It says: Watch the Helpers After the bombing of the twin towers at New York's Trade Center, the nation was stunned. Parents didn't know what to say to their children. They'd seen such evil things on television that even adults couldn't put the events into any kind of context. When a few parents wrote to Mr. Rogers, the beloved children's television personality, to ask for advice, Fred Rogers said, ``Tell them to watch the helpers.'' What wise advice. I've thought about his answer many times. When tragedy hits, don't focus on the faces of pain and horror. Let your eyes follow those who are rescuing, feeding, healing, sweeping, comforting, and rebuilding. On 9/11, it was the selfless firefighters who took center stage. They will be remembered long after the evildoers are forgotten. What good advice: Watch the helpers. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
