After the attacks of September 11, 2001, someone sent anthrax to Senate offices and news reporters and killed five people. I was in Washington.
Without being cavalier, I never answer to pressure from terrorists. That’s exactly what they want. They want to change your behavior. I make it a point to do exactly what I was doing anyway. Call me stubborn.
Since it was my practice to visit Capitol Hill on occasion, I visited Congress after the Anthrax Attacks. I still have no idea what was in the mind on the attackers – it’s impossible to say. But millions of Americans made sure that the attackers certainly would be unsuccessful in shutting down the United States Congress, if that was the objective.
Near Capitol Hill, I sat at a cafe some time after the attacks. It must have been a week or two. I was having coffee and started a conversation with a woman who was a Congressional staffer. I still remember because she was funny. I said it must be a honor to serve Congress. She said something like, “Who wants to be there these days?” I understood her point, but I crossed the street to Congress anyway.
Congress was closed for a time after the attacks. Congressional Representatives were holding news conferences on the lawn. I was standing there listening to the speeches when I saw a lady walk into the Capitol. I thought she was truly brave. Without a Congress, freedom is lost. I thought to myself, “Well, if she’s going in, so am I.” So I walked up the steps, through security, and into the Capitol. I’ve never had any bad health because of my visit.
Eventually, Congress re-opened and resumed business. According to the Washington Post, the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded its investigation on February 19, 2010.