Office of Mayor Ron Gonzales

 
For Immediate Release                                 
September 11, 2001
12:30 p.m.

Statement by San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales 
Regarding National Terrorist Attack and Local Response

On behalf of the people of San Jose, we are profoundly shocked and saddened by the attacks today. We share our grief and heartfelt concern for victims and their families, and the communities affected by these horrible and cowardly acts of terrorism. I also extend our prayers and support for the people of New York and Washington, D.C., and to Mayor Guiliani and Mayor Williams.

Here in San Jose, I encourage all residents to be calm.  Fortunately, we have had no reports at this time regarding any local threats, but our police and fire units are on heightened alert as a precaution. 

We have also activated emergency operations centers at our Civic Center and at San Jose International Airport as a precaution and in response to the FAA shut down of national aviation. All flights due to land in San Jose have already landed this morning.

At this time, we have not closed any of the City’s public facilities, but we have cancelled our City Council meetings today so that we can concentrate our attention and energy to ensuring that the people of San Jose are safe. We are in close contact with state and federal law enforcement agencies as these events unfold.  We’ve been in touch with the Governor’s office and are sharing information across the state.

Early this morning, our police department has been in contact with our public schools in San Jose.   Additionally, I have talked to school superintendents, they have told me that public schools are remaining open.  I have offered any assistance they may need.  They stress the importance of remaining calm, and they ask that parents and staff be flexible as we all cope with the tragic news today.

As a community, there is much that individuals can do to help victims elsewhere in the country.  I encourage our residents to:

ü    Give blood.  You can make an appointment to do so by calling the American Red Cross at  (800) 448-3543. 

ü    The Red Cross is also accepting donations to aid victims, and I encourage residents to call their donation line at (408) 577-2113

The need for supplies, blood, and cash donations will grow even greater as the days unfold and we learn more about the horrible extent of the loss and injury from these terrorist attacks.  For this reason, I call on San Jose residents and businesses to be as generous as they can be in their assistance.

While it is unclear who is responsible for these horrendous attacks, we must not jump to conclusions. This is a time for our city to do what it does best: to help each other, respect each other, and recognize that this is a time for all of us to come together as a community.

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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