ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: PRESIDENT BUSH ADDRESS TO CONGRESS {TERRORIST ATTACKS} (TV)
Summary
This "ABC News Special Report" presents an address by President George W. Bush to the 107th Congress in which the president discusses the response of the government to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Anchored by Peter Jennings, the program begins at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Bush opens his address by calling the state of the union strong, "seen in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground... like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer." President Bush then welcomes Todd Beamer's wife, Lisa Beamer to the meeting and all in attendance applaud. The president also celebrates the presence of British Prime Minister Tony Blair saying that, "America has no truer friend than Great Britain."
Next, the president goes on to respond to the concerns of citizens who wonder who organized the attacks. He states that evidence points to "a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as Al Qaeda" and to that organization's leader, Osama bin Laden. The president urges the Taliban government of Afghanistan to surrender the leaders of Al Qaeda within its borders. He expresses his respect for Muslims worldwide, but says, "We condemn the Taliban regime. It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder." He goes on to extend the enmity of the U.S. government to "every terrorist group of global reach." He predicts a lengthy campaign of war involving a variety of resources, and he warns other nations that they must align themselves either with or against the United States. Bush announces that he is appointing a new cabinet-level position to coordinate investigations into terrorist activities within the United States; he names Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to this post who will oversee the operations of the Office of Homeland Security. Bush goes on to state that, "These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows."
The president then counsels citizens to go about their daily lives, to refrain from targeting individuals because of their ethnic background or faith, to support the terrorists' victims financially, to cooperate in investigations, to be patient, to foster the economy, and to pray for the victims and their families. He details a few of the challenges ahead: to improve air safety, to provide tools to law enforcement and the intelligence community, and to keep the economy going. He gives special recognition to New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who evoke cheers from the crowd, and promises to help to rebuild New York City. Bush finishes by avowing the nation's resolve and by asking for God's help. As the president leaves, he is greeted enthusiastically by many officials, including Senate majority leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Senate minority leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Secretary of State Colin Powell, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume. Jennings asks ABC political advisor George Stephanopoulos what he thought of the speech, and Stephanopoulos says that he found the president resolute and convincing. Congressional correspondent Cokie Roberts stresses the importance of the capitol building as a symbol. Commentator Sam Donaldson calls the address "a fierce speech." Congressional correspondent Linda Douglass describes the recent positive transformation in the relationship between the president and the Congress. Jennings goes on to solicit comments from Iman Yahya Hendi, Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University, and Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University. Hendi approves of the president's distinction between Islam and terrorism but expresses a wish that Bush had been "more assertive" in his cautioning of Americans not to persecute their Muslim fellows.
Jennings then returns to his staff. ABC business reporter Betsy Stark indicates that American businesses still face economic problems but suggests that the president's strong show of leadership may help consumer confidence. Aviation correspondent Lisa Stark reports briefly on the work being done to make flying safer in the United States. White House reporter Claire Shipman suggests that the president's message did not necessarily reassure the international community. Retired General Richard Hawley, an ABC military consultant, predicts that the battle against terrorism will prove "a very difficult and long campaign." From Islamabad, Pakistan, Bob Woodruff reports that the president has dashed hopes in the region that war will not erupt in Afghanistan, suggesting that the Taliban government has neither the strength nor the resources to comply with Bush's demands. Finally, historian Michael Beschloss observes, "The imperial presidency is back." Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 20, 2001 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:67214
- GENRE: News
- SUBJECT HEADING: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; Terrorism; U S - Foreign relations - Afghanistan; U S - Officials - Talk/Interviews
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2001
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Kiss Me Kate" theatrical production
- TV - Commercials - Lexus IS 300 Sport Cross automobile
- TV - Commercials - Sea World amusement park
CREDITS
- George W. Bush … Speaker
- Peter Jennings … Anchor
- Sam Donaldson … Reporter
- Linda Douglass … Reporter
- Terry Moran … Reporter
- Cokie Roberts … Reporter
- Claire Shipman … Reporter
- Betsy Stark … Reporter
- Lisa Stark … Reporter
- George Stephanopoulos … Reporter
- Bob Woodruff … Reporter
- Michael Beschloss … Guest
- Richard Hawley … Guest
- Yahya Hendi … Guest
- Ruth Simmons … Guest
- Lisa Beamer
- Todd Beamer
- bin Laden, Osama
- Tony Blair
- Tom Daschle
- Giuliani, Rudolph (See also: Giuliani, Rudy)
- Trent Lott
- Kweisi Mfume
- George Pataki
- Colin Powell
- Tom Ridge
- Charles Schumer