09.20.01

Senator Cantwell Supports President's Fight Against Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement tonight after President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of Congress and called on every American to join the battle against terrorism.

(Senator Cantwell's statement)

"The terrorists who attacked America on September 11, failed in their primary mission. The murder of thousands of innocent people in New York and Washington, D.C., did not make Americans fearful. It made us angry and determined. The President made that point very clearly tonight. He has declared war on terrorism, and I support his efforts to eliminate that threat to American lives.

"Meanwhile, the secondary effects of last week's terrorist attacks have already begun. Boeing announced this week that it will cut up to 30,000 jobs by the end of 2002. Major U.S. airlines already have cut 45,000 jobs, and they expect to lose a total of 100,000 this year - 10 percent of the industry workforce. Those layoffs are direct economic fallout from the terrorist attacks. America's response to the economic casualties of terrorism should be an integral part of our national defense. I'm working with my congressional colleagues and the Administration to make sure displaced workers in the airline and aircraft manufacturing industries receive federal help to train for new jobs and weather this difficult transition.

"We need to increase security at many key points - from airports to international borders - and we must strengthen law enforcement's ability to investigate, pursue and apprehend terrorists. The President is taking strong steps to address those needs and I support his efforts.

"At the same time, we must take care not to erode or undermine the principles and personal liberties that make this country great and that make us uniquely American. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will be working closely with Chairman Patrick Leahy and the Bush Administration to find and maintain the right balance.

"America's enemies in this war are terrorists and the nations that protect them. We are not at war with Muslims or Arabs or Arab-Americans. We will not tolerate hate crimes against innocent people any more than we will tolerate terrorism."