Senator James L. Seward was five blocks away from the World Trade Center on September 11.

On Wednesday, he returned to the site as part of a tour hosted by Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"The mood was completely different this time," said Seward. "I'm here with thirty five or forty members of the senate, and we're all, Republicans and Democrats, together on this. On September 11 it was panic and sheer turmoil, today it's very orderly, with the rescue workers doing so much. You feel helpless, all we can do is salute them and applaud for the wonderful job they're doing under such dire circumstances."

Seward, who called from Ground Zero to do this interview, said that the feeling of standing on the final resting place of at least 6,000 people is an unforgettable one.

"Being here is completely different than what you see on television," said Seward. "Getting a first hand look at the disruption and damage really changes your perspective. There are guards armed with machine guns at the site. There has been a tremendous human loss of life and now the rebuilding effort needs to take place."

Seward said the sight is very sobering.

The senators were escorted from Pier 92 via boat, south along the Hudson River, with three Coast Guard boats surrounding the entourage. Seward said the morale of the rescue workers seems good and that Giuliani has been doing a tremendous job in his leadership role following the events of Sept. 11.

Seward and the officials in his party were headed over to the Javits Center so Pataki could sign a new piece of legislation entitling state workers to twenty days of full pay when they volunteer for the relief effort.

"It's quiet here," Seward said, "and that really struck me."