U.S. Chamber Pledges Business Support for Victims, President and Economy as Nation Responds to Attacks - Attempt to Shut Down Economy Will Fail, Donohue Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to yesterday's terrorist attacks, the United States Chamber of Commerce today pledged the support and resources of its three-million member business federation to aid the victims, support President Bush's efforts to punish the perpetrators and restore confidence in the American economy.

"The business community joins all Americans in mourning the victims of the despicable acts of war committed against our country," said U.S. Chamber President Thomas J. Donohue. "We pray for them and their families and stand ready to respond to any request for assistance and support."

Donohue said his organization is urging member companies, Chambers and associations to participate in community blood drives and other relief efforts, giving employees the time to participate in humanitarian efforts. Employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserves should be given full support in fulfilling their duties.

The American economy was a specific target of the attack, Donohue noted, with hundreds of companies likely losing thousands of employees. "The brutality of this assault has enraged and united the business community," he said.

Donohue said that President Bush could count on "100 percent support from business in his efforts to bring to full justice those who perpetrated these attacks and all those who have aided and harbored them. These were attacks on freedom itself and our way of life."

The Chamber president also called for "a swift effort to restore and rebuild those parts of the nation's financial and transportation systems that have been damaged and disrupted. We can never replace the lives that have been tragically lost, but the damage to those systems was contained and will be restored."

Responding to concerns that the attacks will undermine the confidence of an already-weak economy, Donohue urged companies, employees and consumers to "show the world that America is open for business. We must prove to terrorists that they cannot shut down the great American engine of prosperity and opportunity.

"What we all need to do is what we as a nation do best – respond to crisis and challenge as a nation united, with commitment and resolve. The business community and its employees will not allow terrorists to interfere with our quality of life. We will rebuild and the spirit of enterprise that built this country will move us forward."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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