At this time, we have no indication of what caused the accident. We have moved quickly to helporganize the response and to support the investigation. Toward that end3 , I have already been intouch with Andrew Card at the White House and with Mayor Guiliani and Governor4 Pataki in NewYork, as well as with officials in Santo Domingo.

　　Let me just provide some basic facts about the flight today. It was American Airlines Flight 587, anAirbus A3005 aircraft en route6 from New York Kennedy to Santo Domingo. The airplane was losttoday shortly after take off from Kennedy Airport. The preliminary passenger list indicated theaircraft carried 246 passengers and a crew of nine .

　　Family members wishing to receive information about passengers may contact American Airlines atour toll-free7 number at 800 245 0999.

　　As you would imagine, today’s news comes at a difficult time for the nation, for the airline industryand for American Airlines. Given the changed world we live in today, it will be as important as it hasever been to quickly and accurately determine the cause of this accident. First and foremost8 ,however, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our passengers and employees of thoselost today. I will be leaving immediately for New York.

　　練習題：

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　　1. Depression g him much for he would have no money to support his family.

　　2. Our p concern is the safety of the pupils in their vacations.

　　3. There is no i of who is behind this terrorist attack.

　　4. We endeavor to carry a complete i to find the technical problem of this

　　Ⅱ. Questions :

　　1. Who is the head of New York State ?

　　2. Who is the mayor of New York City?