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In
Remembrance of Life and Public Service Over the last week throughout the nation and in every community, the American people have expressed their grief and offered their prayers in response to the terrorist attack on our country. We have done so in San Jose. I have been to churches, temples, and mosques in the last several days to be with our San Jose residents during this difficult time as we all find our own ways to absorb this shock, support each other, and move forward with our families, friends, and neighbors. Throughout our city, I have found overwhelming grief for victims and their families, and profound support for the cities of New York and Washington and the other communities affected by this tragedy. I have seen our community’s great respect and honor for the heroes who gave their lives so that others may live. I have watched our community’s spontaneous commitment to help the effort to recover from the destruction we witnessed last week. On behalf of City of San Jose, we are here today to recognize and thank the tireless efforts of all who are helping the cities and the people of New York and Washington to respond, recover, and rebuild. These are workers and volunteers who are on the scene, and as well as all who are supporting them, both in those cities and across the country. We join them today as Americans. Although last Tuesday forever changed us as citizens, both in our own community and throughout America, it will not change our purpose as public employees. We will do all we can here in San Jose to help – with our blood, with our contributions, with our strong support, now and in the future. The best thing we can do to respect the memory of all touched by this tragedy is to rebuild and move forward. As a community, as a nation, as Americans – we owe this to them, to ourselves, and to the world. As I continue to watch Mayor Giuliani lead the City of New York through this disaster, I am struck by the strength of his city, its people, and its public servants. As Mayor of San Jose, I can only begin to imagine the magnitude of their task and the weight of the burdens on their city. I can, however, appreciate their commitment, their confidence, and their courage to make New York whole again. I know that all of us here today share their outstanding dedication to public service. We share their pride in making our cities the best they can be. I know that the residents in our community count on all of us standing here to serve the people of San Jose in good times. I have no doubt that they can count on us in the darkest of times as well – just as we saw last week when police officers, fire fighters, and medical staff rushed into flames and chaos, at huge risk to themselves, to rescue people. As
mayor of one great American city, I am profoundly honored by the actions
of our colleagues in another. I
stand here today, with all of us, to honor them in return. #### San
Jose City Hall 801 N. First St., San Jose,
CA 95110
tel
(408) 277-5131 fax ( 408) 277-3131
www.ci.san-jose.ca.us |
