Banner
NYS Seal Contact: Charles Carrier
(518) 455-3888
For Immediate Release:
November 27, 2001
 
Silver Urges Bush Act Now To Provide Federal WTC Attack Relief Funding

City Continues Loss Of Jobs And Economic Risks Without Federal Aid

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has sent a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to meet immediately with New York State's congressional delegation and other elected officials to forge a strategy to rebuild lower Manhattan.

In the letter, Silver notes the failure of the federal government to provide all the funding promised to assist in the recovery has made it even more difficult for New Yorkers "trying to go on with their lives" after the September 11 terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center.

"We will recover from this tragedy but we need help, and we need it now," Silver writes. "New Yorkers can not wait any longer.

"New York City is facing an unstable economy that includes the loss of over 100,000 jobs as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center. Even if Congress approves $14 billion for Ground Zero cleanup, the city still stands to lose $16 billion in economic output. New York has already lost jobs to surrounding states and many other residents and businesses are being forced to decide whether or not to stay. We need to assure them that we will have what they need to rebuild the city and our economy," the letter states.

"I urge you to schedule an immediate meeting with New York's congressional delegation and state and city leaders to outline a plan that meets the pressing needs of New York," Silver concludes.

-30-

Note: Attached is a copy of Silver's letter to President George Bush.

 

SHELDON SILVER
Speaker
THE ASSEMBLY
STATE OF NEW YORK
ALBANY
Room 932
Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12248
(518) 455-3791

November 26, 2001

Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

New York City is more than a symbol of the American way of life, it is a cultural and financial center for our country and the world. The attacks on September 11th were a deliberate attack on the freedoms and values that bind all of us together as Americans. We need to send a clear message that these acts of terrorism will not deter Americans. We must show them that we can bounce back better and stronger than ever before.

New Yorkers are trying to go on with their lives since the devastating attacks of September 11th, however failure by the federal government to commit to an amount and timeframe for aid has made it very difficult. After all that New Yorkers have suffered, we cannot allow for this uncertainty to continue. With new economic figures even worse than originally predicted, it is time for immediate action to provide New York State the help that is desperately needed.

New York City is facing an unstable economy that includes the loss of over 100,000 jobs as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center. Even if Congress approves $14 billion dollars for Ground Zero cleanup, the city still stands to lose $16 billion in economic output. New York has already lost jobs to surrounding states and many other residents and businesses are being forced to decide whether or not to stay. We need to assure them that we will have what they need to rebuild the city and our economy.

Reports out of Washington have us gravely concerned that the aid package under consideration will not meet our urgent needs. We need a detailed commitment as soon as possible so that New York can begin to heal, rebuild and plan for the future.

New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world. We will recover from this tragedy but we need help, and we need it now. New Yorkers cannot wait any longer. I urge you to schedule an immediate meeting with New York's congressional delegation and state and city leaders to outline a plan that meets the pressing needs of New York.
  Sincerely,

 
 
SHELDON SILVER
Speaker
New York State Assembly

New York State Assembly
[ Welcome Page ] [ Press Releases ]