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CNN Saturday Morning News

Celebrities Hold Fund-Raiser for Terrorism Victims

Aired September 22, 2001 - 07:54   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In Los Angeles to New York City last evening, the stars came out for the victims of last Tuesday, September 11. An unprecedented fund-raiser on TV, the radio and the Internet both here in the U.S. and around the world. It was a star-studded affair. And there was a lot of emotion.

CNN's Sherri Sylvester with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC)

SHERRI SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bruce Springsteen began the two hour telethon, which was both a fund-raiser for victims' families and a tribute to the heroes of the World Trade Center attack.

TOM HANKS, ACTOR: We all feel the need to do something, however, small, symbolic, to honor these remarkable heroes among us.

SYLVESTER: Security was tight as stars from film, television and music came together in New York, Los Angeles and London in an unprecedented collaboration. And the operators standing by to take contributions included Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

(MUSIC)

GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: If this is a war, then these victims are our first casualties. And our idea is to do what we've always done, what Lincoln asked to do in the Gettysburg Address which is to bind the wounds of the nation.

SYLVESTER: More than 30 broadcast and cable channels carried the commercial-free program, which was also simulcast on the Internet and on radio.

KELSEY GRAMMER, ACTOR: The entertainment industry has a responsibility to, one, entertain, to uplift, and to serve as a place of comfort, or at least inspiration for its public.

SYLVESTER: Folks watching at Manhattan's Hard Rock Cafe thought the tribute hit the right note.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This will just generate more goodwill and more response economically from people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like a, you know, little comfort to people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not surprised at all. I mean, the money will just pour in.

(MUSIC)

MARIAH CAREY, SINGER: I think everybody is coming together in a really impressive way by forming some sort of bond that I've never seen before in my lifetime.

SYLVESTER: Muhammed Ali made a plea for understanding.

MUHAMMED ALI, FMR. BOXER: Because Islam is peace, against killing, murdering.

SYLVESTER: Julia Roberts contributed $2 million to the fund.

JULIA ROBERTS, ACTRESS: Let's love one another, live each day, reach out to each other, be kind to each other.

(MUSIC)

SYLVESTER: Sherri Sylvester, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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