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September 12
Dear AIA Family,
This message is to let everyone know that the national
component staff is back at work today, a little shaken, but ready to press
on. After hearing the explosion, seeing black smoke rising from the Pentagon,
and hearing the White House had been evacuated, we immediately notified
our staff and building tenants to prepare to evacuate this building. All
staff made it safely home yesterday but please keep this group of "family
members" in your thoughts and prayers as a few of this group were
traveling overseas or domestically on AIA or personal business and we
are not sure when they will be able to return. A few of our staff members
have shared that one or more of their close friends died in the terrorists'
attacks or are missing. They will need our understanding, sharing, and
compassion in the days ahead.
We have contacted AIA component leadership in Washington,
DC, New York City and State, and Northern Virginia to express our concern,
condolences, and desire to help in any way possible. A significant number
of architects worked in or near the World Trade Center; we will share
reports with you as they are received. Architecture Week in DC, scheduled
for this week, has been at least partially postponed. The Washington DC
Chapter will announce alternate plans in the near future with the possibility
of the AIA Building serving as an alternate site for their awards program.
AIA New York State has postponed its annual convention scheduled for September
13-16 in Buffalo. In the meantime, AIA architects around the country are
becoming involved in disaster response team activities.
This morning we invited the national component staff
to gather for an opportunity to share with each other regarding yesterday's
tragic events and to offer mutual support for moving through the difficult
days ahead. It was also an opportunity to encourage the staff about the
importance of their work in support of our members and our profession.
It is obvious that the terrorists who planned yesterday's attacks were
intent on demoralizing the American people by attempting to destroy the
architectural icons that represent our principles, ideology, and successes.
I recounted that when the British destroyed the
White House and the U.S. Capitol in 1814, their actions were similarly
motivated. And they were almost successful, for many residents in this
area suggested that the capital city be relocated to Philadelphia or to
New York because Washington had not developed into much of a city anyway.
Prudent judgment was expressed by those who countered by explaining that
the White House and the Capitol building were the very (architectural)
icons, the physical manifestation, of our way of life and governance.
To vacate this city without rebuilding those symbolic structures, they
argued, would constitute an admission of the failure of our democracy.
Our nation's leaders wisely decided then to rebuild these symbols of democracy
where they originally stood, proclaiming to the world that this nation
cannot be brought down through acts of destruction or terrorism.
Understanding architecture's role to express in
this manner the culture and heritage of a nation should fill each architect
with great pride and the inspiration to be their very best. I sincerely
believe that the teams that work here on behalf of America's architects
gain similar inspiration from their part in helping architects to be responsible
in this energizing role.
We sincerely thank you for your phone calls, emails,
and prayers. They are greatly appreciated by everyone.
Norman
Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects.
All rights reserved.
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