As he and toured Virtua Health System’s Voorhees campus, Andrews thanked the hospital staff for their community service and offered words of reassurance. "We need to be vigilant in our efforts to first prevent and then prepare for any future attack that may occur, but this is not a time for panic.  Today, I am listening to my constituents about our ability to deal with any medical needs arising from attacks on our nation--not to sound an alarm, but to make sure we have the tools we need to be prepared," Andrews said.  "I know that the men and women of Virtua--like their health care colleagues at other institutions around South Jersey--can do the job if needed.  I want to be sure they have what they need to do that job."

Congressman Andrews commended the men and women of the Virtua Health System for their quick response in the wake of the September 11 attacks.  In the hours and days following the attacks, Virtua sent 12 paramedic units, 24 medics, 8 search and rescue units as well as Virtua’s Southstar helicopter unit to New York area to assist in the rescue effort.  Virtua continues to work with the American Red Cross to collect names and phone numbers of individuals offering to donate blood.  If you are interested in doing so contact Virtua hospital at 1-888-VIRTUA-3 and leave a message with your name and phone number or go to www.virtua.org. 

Earlier in the day, Andrews addressed the Cherry Hill Economic Council at the Cherry Hill Holiday Inn to outline his views on reviving the nation's economy.  "This week in Washington, we will likely take up legislation designed to turn our economy around and put it back on the road to growth," Andrews noted.  "I want to hear the views of local leaders assembled by Mayor Susan Bass Levin so that I make sure that South Jersey's interests are represented in the legislation."  Andrews noted that an economic recovery plan must:

**Provide for immediate relief for persons who have lost their jobs through extended unemployment benefits;

**Put more money in the pockets of consumers to bolster holiday shopping and consumer spending generally;

***Keep construction rolling so that construction firms and workers pump more money into the economy;

***Recognize losses that firms have suffered and let them carry these losses forward to apply against gains in more profitable times to come and

**Pay particular attention to the needs of the travel and tourism industry, which was most severely hit by the aftermath of September 11.

Rep. Andrews next traveled to Rutgers School of Law-Camden Campus to meet with law students and faculty to answer their questions.  The Congressman was invited to speak to a class dealing with domestic violence, among other topics.  Andrews noted the irony in comparing our concern as a government with family violence when we are fighting against a Taliban enemy that daily violates the rights of women by precluding women from meaningful involvement in politics, the economy and community life.
 

Rep. Andrews concluded his day by meeting with employees of Professional Recovery Services in Voorhees to answer constituents' questions about the present situation.  "This firm represents the best in America," he said "People sticking to their routines and jobs to keep our economy going."  The Congressman discussed the progress of United States coalition building effort and pointed to this as a critical first step in our war against terrorism.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Andrews has been privy to a host of classified briefings on the Administration's efforts to work in union with Russia and is former territories, NATO's member nations, U.S. Middle Eastern allies and the United Nations.  While Andrews could not disclose the specifics of those briefings due to their classified nature, he did reassure the employees he met with that he felt that President Bush and his Administration were doing a thorough job to identify those who support terror organizations and develop a plan of action to put an end to their network of terror. He stressed that this