Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey will participate in a special joint session of Congress in New York City to show the Congress’ solidarity with victims of the September 11th terrorist attack.

“September 11th changed all of our lives forever,” said Rep. Woolsey. “We were devastated by this first major attack on American soil, but were reminded that America is more than the land and the people that live here. America is the freedom we hold to be so precious, the civil liberties we spent generations struggling to obtain, and the spirit of selflessness that has shone so brightly these past twelve months.”

The special session will be held at the site of the original Federal Hall, where the first Congress of the United States convened on March 4, 1789 and where our first President, George Washington, was inaugurated. This is the second such "Commemorative Joint Session" held outside of Washington, DC since Congress was moved to the District of Columbia -- the first special joint session was held in Philadelphia in 1976 as part of the bi-centennial celebrations. All members of Congress are invited to attend the special session.

Following the commemorative joint meeting of the House and Senate in Federal Hall, members will attend a wreath laying ceremony at Ground Zero.

The following is an overview of press access for the event:

All press with a valid 107th Congressional Press credential and/or a valid NYPD press credential will be able to access the inside of the secure perimeter, which will be set up several blocks surrounding Federal Hall. Inside this perimeter there will be two outdoor press areas -- a riser across the street from Federal Hall on Wall St. and a press area outside the Regent Hotel. Riser space outside Federal Hall is limited and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis with pool and live cameras given priority.

*Because of space constraints, access to the actual session in Federal Hall will be limited to those members of the press who receive a special credential for the event. This credential is being provided by the Congressional press galleries.

*There will be a video and still pool of the session in Federal Hall. Information about this can be obtained through the Congressional Radio-Television and Photography galleries.

*At Ground Zero, video will be pooled and still cameras and print will be open press/unilateral. Space is extremely limited at this site and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. When the press area reaches capacity, it will be closed.

Credentialing Contacts:

The deadline for application is Wednesday, September 4. For further information contact:
Daily Press and Wires Jerry Gallegos at (202)225-3945; or Joe Keenan at(202)224-0241.
Periodical Press, Weeklies, and Magazines David Holmes (202)225-2941.
Photographers Mark Abraham at (202)224-6548.
Radio and Television Tina Tate at (202)225-5214.

Schedule of Events:

8:00AM to 10:00AM:
Press set time in Federal Hall. *Access limited to specially credentialed press. *Site closes to press at 10:00AM. Entrance to Federal Hall is at Nassau St. and Wall St.

9:00AM to 10:00AM:
Press set time on riser outside Federal Hall (on Wall St.). *This riser is open press and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Pool cameras and live cameras will have priority positions on this riser. *If your broadcast plans include going live from this riser before 9:00AM please contact the House Radio/TV Gallery at (202)225-5214.

9:00AM to 11:45AM:
Press set time at press area outside Regent Hotel. Members will be available to speak with reporters at this location following the session at Federal Hall. Area will be on the North sidewalk across the street from the Regent Hotel. To access this location, press should go to William and Exchange Place to check in and be escorted to this press area.

11:00 AM:
Joint Meeting of Congress opens. Meeting will consist of brief speeches by the four leaders of Congress, presentations by several other members of Congress, and a voice affirmation of the Joint Congressional Resolution in support of New York City and America.

Noon:
Joint Meeting of Congress closes.

Noon:
Members proceed to lunch at Regent Hotel sponsored by Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York. *For information about this lunch, please contact the Mayor’s press office at (212)788-2958.

1:00PM to 1:45PM:
Press set time at Ground Zero wreath laying. Video is pooled at this site and space is extremely limited for still photographers and print press. Press space will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and the press area will be closed when it reaches capacity, regardless of whether that is before 1:45PM.

2:30PM to 3:00PM:
Wreath Laying ceremony at Ground Zero.

Credential Pick-Up Info:
Pick-up for Federal Hall pool credentials will be at the Fairfield Room at the Regent Wall Street Hotel on Thursday, September 5 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM. If you have questions about this, please contact the Congressional gallery superintendents.

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