Message from Mayor Rudy Giuliani
to the United States Senate

September 25, 2002

Dear Senator:

On September 11, 2001, the lives of all Americans were changed forever. Our nation's cherished freedoms were assaulted and thousands of lives were lost.

Nobody knows better than the citizens of New York that we are faced with an enemy that not only thinks the unthinkable, but acts and executes at every opportunity. As a government we must do everything in our power to respond to this ominous and enduring threat. That means being as nimble and agile as the enemy if we are to protect the freedoms we so dearly treasure.

As a United States Senator, you are faced with an opportunity to support the President of the United States in this effort to fight the war against terrorism. As the Senate considers legislation to create the Department of Homeland Security, it is imperative that the President have every option at his disposal to protect the American people. That includes retaining all of his current national security authorities. It also means giving the President and the new Secretary the discretion to organize and manage the new Department.

A bipartisan alternative has been introduced by Senator Phil Gramm (R- TX) and Senator Zell Miller (D-GA), which builds upon many of the good ideas under consideration but addresses the two shortcomings. It restores to the President his current national security authorities regarding collective bargaining, and provides him with most of the important management flexibilities he will need to do the job. I urge you to support this bipartisan compromise legislation, and oppose any efforts to erode the President's current authorities.

Time is of the essence. The country must be prepared. That means organizing our resources to protect the borders and better protect the American people.

Sincerely,

Rudolph W. Giuliani

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