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CNN Live At Daybreak

Congress to Meet in New York City

Aired September 06, 2002 - 06:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Congress is holding a special joint meeting today to honor the victims and the heroes of September 11th. Lawmakers will leave Washington and travel to Federal Hall in New York City. In fact, they're probably boarding the Amtrak train right now.

CNN's Sean Callebs is live in New York with more on this.

Good morning, Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

You're exactly right; it has been a long time in the coming, but in a matter of hours, the congressional members are going to be leaving the Capitol dome behind for New York's Federal Hall, a rare chance for Congress to convene outside Washington, D.C., and an opportunity to recognize the heroes and the victims of September 11th.

City crews are trying to make sure Federal Hall is ready for members of Congress. In the heart of the financial district, the shadow of the New York Stock Exchange and a heartbreaking three-block walk from Ground Zero, members of Congress will meet. A symbolic gesture, they say, but an important one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We do have to pause and thank God for what we have. And so, we've survived the year, and I think this nation has said to all those who mean us harm, don't tread on us.

CALLEBS: Only the second time in 200 years Congress has taken its act on the road. At least half of the members are expected to take a train from the nation's capitol to New York, paid for by a non- partisan group, the Annenberg Foundation, just for the chance to stand up for the heroes and victims of September 11th.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Clearly, it's affected us all. I think it's -- I'd like to think that it's made us more sober about our responsibilities and about how we can do a better job of protecting this country in the future.

CALLEBS: A logistical nightmare for Congress and added security is making doing business among the narrow back streets of the financial district that much more difficult.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The fact that it's politicians just capitalizing on some of the most, just, terrible and tragic event. CALLEBS: No bills will be approved. No discord or debate. Just a huge show of support, led by Vice President Dick Cheney. And despite the temporary discomforts, many say they are embracing the meeting.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's really good for New York City.

CALLEBS: But not all lawmakers are going to be making the trip here today. Among the congressional members scheduled to speak, the Senate majority and minority leaders, as well as many of New York's delegation, including Senators Schumer and Clinton.

Live in New York, I'm Sean Callebs. Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: You know, I was going to ask you about that, Sean. Why not all members of Congress? Why aren't they all going?

CALLEBS: Well, I think for some, it's just other business is pressing in Washington, D.C. A lot of people are concerned about what it's going to be like, what it's going to do to the financial district. And perhaps just to a certain degree a issue of room, because it's extremely crowded, not just outside the Federal Hall where we are, but inside as well.

It's going to be a relatively short ceremony, only about one hour starting at 11 o'clock Eastern time, wrapping up around noon. Then they will lay a wreath at the Ground Zero area and then later on, many dignitaries meeting with Mayor Bloomberg.

COSTELLO: All right. Sean Callebs, reporting live from New York City this morning. Thank you.

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