Director Bradley A. Buckles' Statement at the Treasury Press Conference on September 14, 2001

Washington, DC - Director Buckles’ September 14 statement is as follows:

“On behalf of the men and women of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, I offer my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of these despicable acts. I wish to offer special respects to the firefighters and police officers who died while trying to save others. We have a very personal debt of gratitude, for included among those saved were ATF personnel housed in the World Trade Center.

We have over 500 ATF special agents and forensic personnel participating in Joint Terrorism Task Force investigations throughout the Nation.

In recent days, there have been acts of violence committed against mosques and Islamic centers. ATF and the FBI are investigating three cases involving these crimes through the National Church Arson Task Force. This task force was founded several years ago as recognition that attacks on religious activities represent attacks on basic symbols of liberty and freedom.”