U.S. Chamber Pledges Continued Support for Victims, President, and Economic Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce today pledged the continued support of its three-million member business federation to aid victims and support President Bush's efforts to restore economic stability, while stressing the importance of unity among all Americans as the country recovers from the terrorist attacks and prepares for military action overseas.

"What we all need to do is what we as a nation do best – respond to this crisis and challenge as a nation united, with commitment and resolve," said Bruce Josten, Chamber Executive Vice President. "The business community and its employees will not allow the senseless acts of a few madmen to interfere with this country's quality of life."

Josten said the Chamber has been highly successful in mobilizing its member companies, Chambers and associations to participate in community blood drives and other relief efforts, giving employees the time to participate in humanitarian efforts. Workers who are members of the National Guard and Reserves should be given full support in fulfilling their duties.

Josten also reiterated the importance of a swift recovery for the country's economy, a specific target of the attack. Hundreds of companies have been forced to lay off workers as a result and the Chamber executive 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."

"The brutality of this assault has enraged and united the business community," Josten noted. "We stand behind President Bush with full support in his efforts to bring to justice those responsible for these attacks on our freedom and our way of life."

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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