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September 11, 2001

Members of the New York Law School Community:

It is with great sadness that I write this message. As I look out of my office window I can see the smoke and debris from the Trade Towers. There is no worse feeling than the helplessness that comes from being close, but unable to help. Many of us have colleagues, family, and friends who work in the Towers. We are fearful that they may be lost, grateful for the escape of others, and thankful for the tireless efforts of the rescue workers.

Many of you have suffered a personal loss in this tragedy. Our hearts go out to you. The Law School will be working to find grief counselors to help ease your pain. To those who were at the Law School today, thank you for your calmness in the face of chaos and for your understanding as all New Yorkers and Americans try to sort through these events.

Today, someone asked me what we, as individuals educated and trained in the law, can do. We must pray that the rule of law be followed; that we use all of the force of a mighty nation to lawfully discover those responsible for this attack; and that we use every legal means available to us as a nation to punish those responsible to the full extent of the law.

Our country and profession will be challenged in unprecedented ways. Our emotions cannot and should not be checked. Rather we must channel them to do what is right. We will be challenged by changes in our civil life--security measures, inconveniences to daily living, fear, and pleas for revenge. My hope is for our leaders to show courage, and to respond swiftly and in a measured way. For the rest of us--New Yorkers, Americans, and all members of the legal profession-let us use every tool at our disposal to help bring our community together to respond to a shared national catastrophe.

Let all of us in this community work together and come back as strongly as we can.