ARRL President praises response to terrorist attacks

From the ARRL...



ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has expressed his deep
appreciation to amateurs throughout the world who have sent messages
of condolence and support. Haynie also praised the actions of
Amateur Radio volunteers.




''The shock and horror of yesterday morning's events are still fresh
in our minds,'' Haynie said. ''Radio amateurs in New York City and
elsewhere around the country are doing everything they can to
support the authorities in locating and assisting victims. We know
that there are many among us who have been touched personally by
these tragedies, but there is comfort in knowing that we are not
alone in our grief.''



''Never have I felt more strongly about what a great privilege it is
to be a part of the extraordinary global community of Amateur
Radio,'' Haynie concluded.



Messages of support have been received at ARRL from International
Amateur Radio Union member societies as well as from individual
amateurs around the world. Among them was a fax from Japan Amateur
Radio League President Shozo Hara, JA1AN, who expressed ''great shock
and dismay'' at the attacks in New York and Washington and offered
''heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of the victims''
as well as any assistance JARL could offer. Deutscher Amateur-Radio
Club Managing Director Bernd Haefner, DB4DL, expressed similar
sentiments. ''At this horrible time, we all are Americans,'' he wrote.



ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, noted that, on a day when
many Americans were rushing home to be with their families, many
radio amateurs were assisting in the emergency response. ''Compared
to the sacrifices by emergency responders in New York City and at
the Pentagon, it was a small thing, yet a thing that should not go
without notice.''



Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
organizations continue to provide support to emergency management
officials and responding agencies--such as the Red Cross and the
Salvation Army--in New York City, Washington, DC, and in western
Pennsylvania. ARES/RACES teams in other states, including Florida,
Minnesota and Washington, remain on alert.