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CNN Live Today
Congress Holds Special Session in New York
Aired September 06, 2002 - 12:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Just blocks from where the World Trade Center once stood, the U.S. Congress held an almost unprecedented session. Hundreds of lawmakers met in New York's historic Federal Hall a short time ago, ahead of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Congress formally convened in Washington in 1800, and this is only the second time since then that it has met someplace else.
CNN congressional correspondent Kate Snow joins us live from New York with more of this.
It was pretty emotional, huh, Kate?
KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very emotional. In fact, I think if you look over my shoulder, you can see, well, there are some members of Congress still coming out of the building. They are now headed over to lunch with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
It certainly was what we expected, there was sadness, there were few smiles, there were a lot of bowed heads, inside the room. They were in there about an hour, inside Federal Hall. Senator Tom Daschle, in his remarks, called September 11 a shattering experience. He said it is with profound sadness that we approach this anniversary, our heart aches for families, but we also have so much gratitude, he said, profound gratitude, for those who dealt with the aftermath.
Members of the New York delegation presented a resolution that Congress had voted on, honoring those who died, here at World Trade Center, about four blocks from where I'm standing, and honoring the heroes, who helped save lives and clean up New York City. Vice President Dick Cheney, as president of the Senate, also gave some remarks, he talked of the attacks as inspiring the values of a nation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since the hour of those attacks, we have been a nation at war, called once again to defend our liberty and our lives and to save humanity from the worst of horrors.
As a nation born in revolution, we know that our freedom came at a very high price. We have no intention now of letting it slip away.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: One thing that comes out truly at an event like this is that Congress can sometimes work together, despite all the bickering that might be happening down in Washington. Today was a day when they were united.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), MINORITY LEADER: The fatal flights of September 11th, courage and resistance knew no bounds of party, of race or status. They included a young father, a conservative columnist, and a gay man. E pluribus unum.
So while we discuss the debate as to the next decisions, and the fundamental issue let there be no doubt. In this great and faithful struggle, there are no Republicans, there are no Democrats; there are only Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: Members of Congress walking down the street now, Kyra, under great protection. As you might imagine, the security here is pretty tight. They brought in some of their own U.S. Capitol Police. The New York City Police have shut down the road here to my left as they make their way down the street.
Later this afternoon, they will be having a replaying celebration at ground zero. That, too, promises to be very somber moment -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Kate Snow from the Hill, thank you,
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