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Thank you for coming together this morning. It is a difficult time for our country, and for all of us here at the Department of Health and Human Services. The tragedy has touched every American in some way.

Some of us may have had family members, friends or acquaintances in the planes, at the Pentagon, or in New York. Most of us did not. But all of our lives changed forever. Our confidence has been shaken, and our young children have questions we ourselves have difficulty answering.

My friends, we will get through this - together. Our personal faiths, and our unwavering determination bind us - together. Our work will see us through - together. And our love of country is deeper and stronger than ever.

We are Americans. And we will always overcome whatever challenges befall us - emerging stronger than ever.

Ladies and gentlemen, you've heard me say from the first day I addressed you in this very hall, and there's no time when it is more true than now.

We are the Department of Compassion. And America is counting on us. The Department of Health and Human Services has begun the healing process in America - and we must see it through.

I am so proud of the employees of this wonderful department - how quickly and effectively everyone responded to the devastation that struck our countrymen and women. Yes, there was anxiety, but there was no panic. There might have been fear - and we can all understand fear in such a moment - but it never interfered with our commitment to easing the pain of those suffering.

Last night, I saw HHS employees - career and political - stay at their desks until the late hours, handling unexpected duties with diligence and dignity. And of course, our staffs put into effect the emergency response plans we had prepared in hopes of never having to use them. And I was so heartened to see our employees show up for work today - with an unwavering spirit of public service

Rest assured, we are taking every precaution to make sure that our facilities are safe and secure. Your safety is of primary importance to me.

What has impressed me the most is that from the very first moment, people in this department began asking me.What can we do to help, what can we do to heal?

We must begin by making sure that in each of our jobs we go the extra mile to help those in need. Let's go out of way to make sure those who need help get it promptly and with the compassion that epitomizes the public servants of this great department. Make sure you're also reaching out to your friends, neighbors and coworkers who may be shaken by this tragedy.comfort them. Lift their spirits. And if need be, help steer them to any help they might need.

By doing our jobs, we deprive the terrorists of victory. We show them that America's faith in itself cannot be destroyed by an attack against our institutions. We show them that America's compassion is as great as its courage.

We can also give blood. We are in the process of trying to set up a blood drive here in the Great Hall for HHS employees. The NIH is accepting blood donors on its campus. And there are other places in this area and in your hometowns where you can go to give blood. This is not a trivial endeavor, for the need is great and the opportunity to save lives is real.

Already, the talented employees of HHS are on the ground in New York and Washington lending their expertise and our resources.

From the moment we learned of these attacks, the Department of Health and Human Services began readying teams and resources to send to New York City and the Washington area to meet any needs of state and local officials.

So far, we have sent four disaster medical teams to New York City and three of these disaster medical teams to the Washington-Northern Virginia-Baltimore area. These medical teams each consist of about 35 physicians, nurses and emergency medical technicians. They are all trained to deal with traumatic injuries and other emergency needs.

We've also sent four disaster mortuary operational response teams to New York and three to the greater Washington area.

We're also in the process of shipping a large amount of emergency medical supplies to New York City with the help of the Centers for Disease Control.

Yesterday we also activated the United States Public Health Service Commission Corps, which consists of approximately 6,000 health professionals. We also are giving backup assistance to the 500-bed ship Comfort from the U.S. Navy.

In short, we're making the full force of the Department of Health and Human Services, both its resources and medical expertise, available to the areas that need our assistance. We are doing it quickly, professionally, and with the ultimate goal of healing America's physical and emotional wounds.

We will make sure that everyone directly affected by yesterday's terrorist attacks receives the care they need to regain their health.

We all have important jobs to do, but I know it can be hard. We are reminded everywhere of yesterday's evil. Those reminders will constantly be with us in the weeks and months ahead.

If it becomes too much, please don't hesitate to seek help. Our employee assistance plan is available through every operating division, and I have instructed the staff there to make sure they are available in the weeks ahead. The grief counseling and other support can help get you through the tough spots.

Together, we will get through this and, most importantly, we will help American overcome this tragedy.

Last night, the President reminded us that, and I quote, "All Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace."

And, he said, we will all "go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."

Pursuing "all that is good and just" - that's the mission of HHS. I'm honored to stand with you as, together, we accomplish that mission.

God bless you all, and God bless America.

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