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CNN Live Event/Special

America Under Attack: Historic House Session Gets Underway

Aired September 12, 2001 - 10:04   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: You're now looking at a live picture we're getting from the House, this historic joint session of Congress about to get underway.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As they attempt to fill the gaping holes left in the fabric of this nation. Send forth your holy spirit upon all of the members of Congress, the president, and all government leaders across this nation. Free them of fear, any prejudice, whatsoever, remove all doubt and confusion from their minds, so with clear insight that comes from you and you alone, reveal all that is unholy, and renew the desire of your people to lives of deepening faith, unbounding commitment, and lasting freedom here where liberty has made her home. We place our trust in you now and forever. Amen.

REP DENNIS HASTERT, (R-IL) HOUSE SPEAKER: Thank you, Chaplain.

The Chair's examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces the House's approval thereof. Pursuant to clause one of rule one the journal stand approved.

The speaker at this time will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

(PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)

HASTERT: Due to the events of yesterday, the Chair wishes to announce the joint meeting to receive the honorable joint John Howard, prime minister of Australia, scheduled for today, will not take place. The Chair wishes to acknowledge, however, the presence of the prime minister here today and extends on, behalf of the House, his appreciation for the solidarity of the Australian people and the presence of the prime minister today in this very difficult time.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

HASTERT: This time, the gentleman from Texas wishes to speak (ph).

REP. DICK ARMEY, (R) TEXAS: Mr. Speaker, as you know, this is a consent to address the House for one minute to announce today's schedule.

HASTERT: Without objection. ARMEY: Mr. Speaker, as you have directed, the House is convening now. We will stay in session from now until 11:00, where members will have time for one-minutes.

At 11:00 this morning we will take a recess until 12:30, while the chamber is cleared. Members of the body will be inviting back to the chamber at 12:30, at which time we will have a member briefing on the floor that will last until 2:00.

At 2:00, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Gephardt and I will call up by unanimous consent a joint resolution to condemn yesterday's terrorist acts. That resolution will be addressed by this body under that unanimous consent request with an understanding that we will continue to address it until each member of this chamber has had ample time to address this issue as he or she sees fit.

I want to thank all of the members of this body for their patience, their commitment, their understanding, and their resolve during this trying time. And let me assure you, Mr. Speaker, by the time the 435 members of this body that have spoken today the world will have no doubt about who we are, what we will stand for, and what we will not stand for.

(APPLAUSE)

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've listening in on the House of Representatives. Over the next hour they will each spending one minute each talking about and condemning the violence that hit the United States yesterday. They will then gather at 12:30 for a briefing that will take place behind closed door, a briefing on the investigation into the violence and the terrorist attacks on the United States.

We will go back to this.

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