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American Morning
America's New War: New York Visitor Taking Giuliani's Advice
Aired September 25, 2001 - 10:49 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: For more insights let's travel to Times Square, where Bill Hemmer is standing by, who has talked with consumers, he's talked with traders, he talks to just about everyone out there.
Hi, Bill. How are you?
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good, Paula. Thank you very much.
You know, the mayor throughout this whole ordeal has implored Americans to come to New York, spend their money as tourists and help out this economy in New York City.
Miriam Smith (ph) is one of them who has. She's from Pennsylvania, with us now.
Why did you come? You heard the mayor's words, or what?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, we wanted to be part of the community here and support the mayor, and we just felt that we'd like to come and see New York and tour and just explore.
HEMMER: Earlier you were telling me you -- the mayor said it and you followed it. Is that the truth?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. The mayor said come to New York, spend your money, and we're here to do that.
HEMMER: Are you worried in a general sense about the current condition of the U.S. economy or the economy's future? What's your approach on that, Miriam?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I'm really not. I think this, of course, is a setback, but I feel -- I'm an optimist, and I feel that it will come back. It might take some time, but I really honestly feel it will come back.
HEMMER: Your seeing some tough medicine in short term, but overall you'll be OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I think so.
HEMMER: The other interesting note, you come from western Pennsylvania, Somerset County, where the plane went down back on the 11th of September. Give us a sense for how the people are reacting back there at this point, two weeks later, two weeks to the day today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, the people in our area are very committed to helping others, and that's exactly what they're doing. They're out there every day helping in whatever way they can. It's a very small community where this disaster did happen, and the people are just showing their spirit and doing what they can to help.
HEMMER: Also, your daughter's a flight attendant. What has her attitude been throughout this? And have you been concerned about her in this sky?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, of course. We were very fortunate the day of the tragedy she was at home in the morning, but she was to fly out that afternoon. And she called, of course, immediately to say she was OK, and that was such a relief. But yes, we are concerned. And people were calling our home all morning asking if she was safe and we are so happy to say that she was.
But we're concerned. But she's -- her attitude is also very positive, and she was out flying as soon as she could.
HEMMER: And you're going to go see a show in New York.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are.
HEMMER: Which is another advice (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by the mayor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are.
OK, Miriam, much appreciate it. Thank you for spending time with us today.
Miriam Smith from Somerset County in western Pennsylvania.
The markets here, the Nasdaq up about 12 points at this time. We will watch throughout the day -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.
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