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CNN Live At Daybreak

America Recovers: Help for Families

Aired September 26, 2001 - 07:14   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Beginning today here in Manhattan, as well, families of those who died in the World Trade Center attacks can apply for death certificates. Applications are being accepted at the Family Assistance Center, which is now located at Pier 94 in Manhattan.

That is exactly where we find our own CNN's Bill Hemmer this morning -- good morning, Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, good morning to you.

Yesterday the mayor said it would be an absolute miracle if anyone were pulled out alive inside the former World Trade Center complex. And at this point the next step in this rather grueling process will begin today. The mayor is encouraging families who have accepted the strong possibility that remains of their loved ones may never be found to come here today and get the proper paperwork under way.

And if you consider the overwhelming fact here that such a small fraction of bodies have been recovered, even fewer than that have been identified, the strong reality continues that many people will never recover remains again.

The mayor talked about that, saying it's the families' decision, yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI (R), NEW YORK CITY: If you know that your husband or father or relative was working there and you've come to terms with the idea that they're dead and that they're not going to be recovered, then you can make the choice -- and it's your choice -- to apply for a death certificate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: The mayor indicating people come here today to bring a wedding license, a birth certificate, proof of employment, something that indicates their loved ones, their father, their mother, their sister or brother were inside the World Trade Center 15 days ago, back on the 11 of September.

The reason why this is so critical is because without this death certificate, many people cannot get to key financial records, things like insurance claims, banking accounts, ATM cards, things that are so critical to so many trying to get back on firm financial ground.

A group of lawyers, countless lawyers from the city and the state, are working today free to help expedite the process in obtaining that certificate. The city indicating that they could get between 500 and 600 families today and today is just the first of three days in this process. They're saying that for families whose last name begins with the letters A through G to come today. The doors will open here in about two hours time, 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, but already, Paula, there are several people in line. We will not show them to you out of privacy's sake this morning. But, indeed, people lining up already today. We will see how it goes from here.

But again, another step in a very long and grueling process -- Paula.

ZAHN: You all have a very rough day ahead.

Thanks, Bill. We'll check in with you in the next hour, as well.

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