"It is with profound sorrow that New Yorkers mourn the loss of the brave crew members of the USS Cole who lost their lives in defense of our great nation. It is a tragic loss to their families and friends and to all New Yorkers, who they served faithfully, making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of democracy. Their loss is deeply felt.

"We pray also with the families of sailors still among the missing, especially the family of Fireman Apprentice Patrick Howard Roy, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. As we also pray for the swift recovery of those wounded in the attack, the USS Cole sailors and their loved ones will be in my thoughts and prayers, as well as those of all New Yorkers.

"I urge the Department of Defense in the strongest possible terms to find the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman act of cowardice and bring them to swift and severe justice. We as a nation must demonstrate clearly that terrorism against our people will never be tolerated nor will it ever weaken our resolve to promote peace and democracy throughout the world."