NH Reps. Applaud Bush’s Message
WASHINGTON – Members of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation called President Bush’s address to the nation last night a strong message that emphasized both America’s resolve and the progress in the war on terrorism.
“He reassured us of our strengths and that we are a nation in the right,” said Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH). “I thought it was a superb speech.”
Gregg applauded the strength of Bush’s statement that “We will persevere in this struggle, no matter how long it takes to prevail.” But Gregg also said Bush “spoke to the better angels of America” by calling on the people of this country to public service and to build and live in “communities of character,” a plan Bush said he had formed before the attacks took place.
“He feels very strongly that we can take this terrible event and use it in a positive way to make our nation a better place to live,” Gregg said. “We are a nation that should be united.”
Bush, speaking before a sea of law enforcement personnel and members of the military at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, said, “We have refused to live in a state of panic or a state of denial. This great nation will never be intimidated.”
In his televised address two months after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, Bush updated Americans on the war in Afghanistan and spoke about the anthrax scares in the U.S. He also outlined what the government has done to strengthen security at airports and elsewhere.
Rep. John Sununu (R-NH) said that the address served as a progress report of America’s fight against terrorism as well as a call for every American to join the fight by showing support for and pride in this country.
“I thought it was a very strong and reassuring presentation,” said Sununu. The Congressman said Bush’s words were meant to “remind everyone of the goals that were set out” to “eliminate the capacity of Al Quaeda and make clear the strength of America comes from the values we all share.”
Sununu said, “it strengthens the resolve of every American to hear the President so clearly lay out” the means to bring justice to their attackers, and “to hear a President who so clearly understands” the task at hand.
The war on terrorism “is an unprecedented situation that will continue to call for leadership,” Sununu said. He added that it is important for Americans to hear their President speak “on a regular basis so the channels of communication remain open.”
Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) said Bush’s speech “invigorated America,” and by ending his address with “Let’s roll,” an echo of the last words of Todd Beamer, one of the heroes aboard the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, Bush was asking Americans to be heroes “in their own way.”
Bush told Americans “We cannot know every turn this battle will take. Yet we know our cause is just and our ultimate victory is assured.”
Bass said he believes the President should continue to address the nation periodically during this war to reassure the people and reaffirm America’s fight against evil. The people of this country should also make an effort to support the fight, he added.
“The President needs to do this to provide the kind of leadership he showed tonight,” said Bass. “Americans are taking that responsibility. We’re going to persevere.”
