[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 119 (Thursday, September 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H5598-H5605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR EXPEDITED PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICERS KILLED OR INJURED IN CONNECTION WITH TERRORIST ATTACKS OF
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in
order at any time, without intervention of any point of order, to
consider in the House the bill (H.R. 2882) to provide for the expedited
payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who was killed
or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a
personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; that the bill be considered as
read for amendment; that the previous question be considered as ordered
on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except; 1, one
hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their
designees; and, 2, one motion to recommit; and that the chair may,
notwithstanding the order of the previous question, postpone further
consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House
just agreed to, I call up the bill (H.R. 2882) to provide for the
expedited payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who
was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate
result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty in connection
with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and ask for its
immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of H.R. 2882 is as follows:
H.R. 2882
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR HEROIC PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICERS.
Notwithstanding the limitations of subsection (b) of
section 1201 or the provisions of subsections (c), (d), and
(e) of such section or section 1202 of title I of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796,
3796a), upon certification by a public agency that a public
safety officer employed by such agency was killed or suffered
a catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a
personal injury sustained in the line of duty as described in
section 1201(a) of such Act in connection with the rescue or
recovery efforts related to the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, the Director of the Bureau of Justice
Assistance shall authorize payment to qualified
beneficiaries, said payment to be made not later than 30 days
after receipt of such certification, benefits described under
subpart 1 of part L of such Act (42 U.S.C. 3796 et seq.).
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act, the terms ``catastrophic
injury'', ``public agency'', and ``public safety officer''
have the same meanings given such terms in section 1204 of
title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today,
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Weiner) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner).
General Leave
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on H.R. 2882, the bill currently under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
[[Page H5599]]
Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides for payments to be made within
30 days to officers and their families under the Public Safety Officers
Benefits of certification of a public agency that a public safety
officer was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of a
personal injury in the line of duty of rescue or recovery efforts
related to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The Public Safety Officer's Benefit Act provides benefits to public
safety officers and their families for injury or death on duty. The
program was established in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968, as amended. The program provides a lump sum benefit to
survivors of Federal, State, and local public safety officers whose
death and disability was the direct and proximate result of traumatic
injuries sustained in the line of duty. The current lump sum payment is
approximately $175,000 in the case of death. The program offers aid and
allows for such sums as may be necessary.
The purpose of this resolution is simple and clearly warranted: that
is, to provide swift aid and comfort to the survivors of the public
safety officers who perished in the wake of the terrorist attacks on
the World Trade Center in New York City. Their loss and the loss
incurred by the New York City fire and police departments is
unfathomable.
The bravery exhibited by these men and women was of the greatest
magnitude, and was the embodiment of noble service to our Nation and to
the citizens of this country.
One wonders where these firefighters and police officers mustered the
strength and courage to withstand dozens of stories to battle the
raging fire above, all along the way directing and calming thousands of
people desperately trying to flee the deadly danger above.
In the towers and on the ground, New York City public safety officers
were unflinching in carrying out their mission of saving and protecting
thousands of people who now owe their lives to these devoted officers.
Because of their dedication to duty, many officers made the ultimate
sacrifice for their fellow citizens. May God bless their souls and
their families. They will never be forgotten, and their heroism will
always be cherished by a grateful Nation, State, and city.
Having said this, let me express my concern that paperwork might
result in the delay in the payment of these benefits to families who
desperately need the incomes now that a breadwinner is no longer with
them.
State law usually governs how a person who is missing is declared
dead. This is not done by Federal law. The legislation before us today,
as well as the law that has been on the books for over 30 years,
requires an appropriate certification of death.
{time} 1130
Let me urge the Governor and legislature of the State of New York
that if there does need to be an amendment to the law to allow for
appropriate certification, including but not limited to the issuance of
an official death certificate, to take prompt action so that these
certifications can be made and the payments issued to the families of
the police officers and firefighters who perished in the line of duty.
This concern, however, for me, is not limited just to this bill,
because there are literally thousands of people who are missing in the
fire and collapse of the World Trade Center whose families will be
waiting for insurance proceeds even though they are not police officers
and firefighters; and there the same type of certification is needed so
that the payments can be made to the beneficiaries under those
policies. I would certainly hope that the law would be able to respond
to this tragedy so that these payments can be made promptly rather than
having months or perhaps even years of litigation before a certificate
issues and the payment is to be made.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First, I offer the thanks of our city to the many Members of the
House, particularly the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, who
has spoken so eloquently. Many of us just returned this morning and
more than a few of my constituents commented how heartening and
reassuring it was to see Members come to the well yesterday for hours
talking about their expressions of sympathy and support.
My colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), and I late
last night visited ground zero and we saw a sight that was at once
horrific and frankly heartening. We saw mounds of rubble, maybe the
size of this building, that were tombs for some of the bravest New
Yorkers and bravest Americans. These were men who perished, many of
them my constituents. Over 100 families in just one small part of my
district were where firefighters and police officers had lived.
At the same time people were furiously running downstairs to escape
what was described in the newspapers as 1,000 to 2,000 degree heat,
heat sufficient to melt the columns of the World Trade Center, to melt
through the insulation on the beams. These firefighters were running up
those stairs, as the chairman mentioned. Some of them were seen on the
80th floor. And to give my colleagues an idea of what a firefighter
carries on his back and on his person when he goes into battle, it is
weight akin to me. It is like carrying a human being all the way up
those stairs. And they did so not because they were naive about the
dangers that they faced; it is because they recognized the dangers that
their fellow New Yorkers faced, and they were going to do everything
possible to see them protected.
We say it at times like this, that these are true heroes because they
go to the most dangerous jobs without flinching. But to be honest,
everywhere in this country, every night as we lay down our heads to
sleep and we tuck our children in and we say our evening prayers and we
think about what we are going to do the following day, at those very
same hours there are men and women all over this country who stay up
all night waiting to hear a bell go off, or a siren go off; and then
they run to help us. They do not know us.
To see these men now at this site that are digging through this
rubble, they are looking for their best friends, looking for their
brothers, looking for their fathers in some cases. We lost one of the
highest-ranking fire officials in the city. We lost a priest who
serviced the men in the fire department when a body fell on him from
stories above. These are people who every day do these things on our
behalf. Their families send them off to work hoping that they will see
them when they come back, and they do incredible work.
Well, now, in New York City, we have over 300 families, by last
count, who are not going to see their husbands, their fathers, their
children again; and this is a measure that I think is needed in some
small way to help expedite the benefits to these families. But make no
mistake, my colleagues, the worst is yet to come for those families. We
have an ability now, as we must, to try to do what we can to ease the
suffering, and then we will go on. Our lives will be put back together
again. We will remember those horrific images.
I can say assure my colleagues of one thing, as Mayor Guiliani told
us late last night, and we agree with 100 percent, and I speak for all
of my New York colleagues, we are going to rebuild the city. We will be
a better and stronger city, and we will be a better and stronger
country. But those families have lost someone that they are not going
to be able to replace. There is not a day that will go by that they
will not remember that. And I also hope there is not a day that goes by
that all of those survivors that got out of there, and who saw those
men running up the stairs as they were running down, I hope they
remember as well the great heroism.
Tonight and nights after, as we retire for the evening and as we say
a little prayer for the safety and health of our families, let us also
say a prayer for those men and women that look over our shoulders every
day in communities large and small all throughout this community.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. King).
Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time, and I want to totally identify myself with the remarks of my
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner).
The fact is that the firefighters, the police officers in the City of
New York
[[Page H5600]]
have performed heroic service above and beyond any call of duty. And
while Tuesday is a day which will live in infamy in this country, the
fact is at the same time it showed the great spirit of New York, the
great spirit of America, and the particularly great spirit of the men
and women of the New York City Police Department and Fire Department.
They responded in a way which is unprecedented, unparalleled, and
demonstrated their true commitment to what they believe in, and that is
the safety and welfare of all New Yorkers, all Americans, and all
people.
I would say that their courage stands in stark contrast to the
behavior of those who attacked our city in such a cowardly fashion. So
I think this legislation is absolutely essential. There are many
people, and all of us from New York, who know people killed. Certainly
Father Judge, the chaplain, was a friend of mine, and another young
man, Michael Boyle was a very good friend of mine, and I would say at
this time we must commit ourselves to those men who gave their lives.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from New York,
all my colleagues from New York, and my colleagues from around the
country.
Mr. Speaker, first let me commend my colleague, the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Nadler); the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hastert); the Democratic leader, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), for the leadership displayed here in this
House over the past few days and for moving this legislation so
expeditiously to the floor.
I rise today to speak with a very heavy heart and a tightened throat.
Our Nation has suffered a terrible blow. Yesterday, I, along with my
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner), as mentioned
before, visited the epicenter, or ground zero as it has been called, of
this monstrous crime. As I stood in a crater of what was once a grand
and majestic building, I was looking into the heart of a criminal, of a
cold thing and of an awful thing. But I also saw a picture of the
American heart and of the American nature, that of the New York Police
Department, Fire Department, and emergency rescue technicians.
These men, who did not and have not faltered for even one second,
were and continue to fight tirelessly to find any person who may have
been lost and is yet still alive. My cousin, John Moran, who I spoke of
not too long ago on this floor, is one of those men.
John is an amazing man. He is a battalion chief, a lawyer, and a
second generation fireman. His father, my uncle, was also a fireman.
His brother Michael is a fireman. John is a wonderful husband and the
father of two small children, beautiful boys. He understands the risks,
and he understands what he might be losing, yet he continues to put his
life in harm's way to save others day in and day out.
This past Tuesday, while trying to rescue others at ground zero, my
cousin became one of the missing. He was one of more than 300 firemen
and police officers and technicians to die or go missing that day. We
have also lost Reverend Michael Judge, a personal friend of mine, who
was the chaplain of the fire department; Chief of the New York Fire
Department's Special Operations Command, who was my cousin's immediate
superior, Ray Downey; Bill Feehan, first deputy commissioner of the
fire department, a wonderful man; and Peter Ganci, chief of the New
York City Fire Department.
In Woodside, the area I represent, we lost two firefighters on
Father's Day from Rescue Company 4, and we add to that people who are
missing, seven individuals, some of whom are my friends: Captain Brian
Hickey, Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell, Lieutenant Terrance Farrell,
Firefighter Peter Nelson, Firefighter Peter Brennan, Firefighter
William Mahoney, Firefighter Durell Persall. Rescues 1, 2, 3, and 5
also sustained casualties. I also have friends who are missing:
Firefighter Michael Dee. My understanding is that Firefighter Mike
Weinberg from my neighborhood has been found. Another friend, from the
Rockaways, Walter Heinz, is also missing.
The Bible says, ``Be brave, my child; the Lord of heaven and earth
grant you joy in place of this sorrow of yours.'' And so this is our
solace. But I ask all Americans to honor those whose bravery, so great,
cost them all their earthly pleasures by caring for those they leave
behind.
This bill provides an expedited payment of $151,000 to the families
of the brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. It
is one small way that we can help families cope with this tragic loss,
by providing families with the financial assistance to pay for
colleges, to continue paying their mortgages and to continue onward.
Let us create a legacy for those brave men and women. We have
suffered tremendously in New York City. We have not only the loss of
firefighters and police officers and technicians, but the loss of life
itself of so many of our constituents and citizens. This is the least
we can do for those who served. While men and women were screaming to
get out of the building, these men and women were rushing into the
building to try to save lives.
Yesterday, the Governor of New York asked a fireman why he would risk
his life, and the firefighter told him, ``What else do you expect? I'm
a New Yorker.'' God bless America, the land of the free, and the home
of the bravest and the finest.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. My colleagues, we have experienced this week some of the
darkest moments in our Nation's history, and yet in the midst of this
horrible and unspeakable loss that our Nation suffered, thousands of
brave men and women stepped forward risking, and indeed sacrificing,
their own lives to rescue and save their fellow Americans.
The stories we have heard from our colleagues today are only the
beginning. Thousands and thousands of families are suffering, not
knowing. This is just the beginning.
{time} 1145
So today, colleagues, we have the opportunity to offer one small
gesture of thanks, to let the families of the firefighters, police
officers, and rescue workers who gave their lives know that the
American people and the United States Congress are profoundly grateful
for their sacrifice.
The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), who is on his way to the
Capitol, had this horror occur in his district in New York City. He has
introduced this legislation to provide for the expedited payments of
benefits for public safety officers who were killed or suffered
catastrophic injuries in the line of duty while responding to the
terrorist attacks of September 11. It is simply unconscionable that the
families of men and women who gave so much at such a difficult and
horrific time should now have to struggle to receive government
benefits that are so obviously due.
Even as we mourn and grieve today, we must appreciate that Americans
did not hide, nor did they cower in the face of adversity and brutal
assault. Rather, we banded together and worked feverishly to save every
life that could be saved. While thousands of Americans donated blood
and food and shelter to the victims of these attacks, no Americans gave
more than the public safety officers who this legislation would
benefit.
In the face of the unthinkable, there is only so much that we can do
to thank these noble citizens. This legislation is only a start and
cannot compare to the loss of life for their families, but it is an
important one. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this
legislation honoring our Nation's bravest heroes.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Israel).
Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a profound sense of humility,
first and foremost, to offer my condolences and prayers to our
colleague and above all our friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Crowley) and to offer our love to the gentleman and his family.
Mr. Speaker, in my district we have lost, too, many firefighters. I
have spoken with the families, and the last thing in the world they
have need to worry about right now is their finances. This legislation
is vital to
[[Page H5601]]
them at this dark hour of their lives. They should not be worried about
red tape or bureaucracy or paperwork.
I believe it brings great honor on this House that Republicans and
Democrats, from New York to California, would rise together to do the
right thing by these families who have suffered so deeply, and to
express our commitment to them by passing this bill and by continuing
to pray for all of them.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Hinchey).
Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the
Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner), for expediting this legislation and bringing it to the
floor so quickly.
As we all know, on Tuesday morning we witnessed the greatest assault
on the Nation in our history. But since then, we have also seen
examples of some of the greatest bravery and some of the most
compassionate people that we have seen also in the history of our great
country.
With this legislation, we begin the process that we will be involved
in as a Congress in participating in the healing that must take place
both for the city of New York and for the people who live there. With
this legislation, we recognize the great bravery and heroism that was
displayed by the municipal officers of that city, police officers, fire
officers, port authority policemen and others.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate, obviously, that we do so; and in this
small way, with a small gesture, we provide some of the financial
support that their families who were left behind justly deserve.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on our side?
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentelman has seventeen
and one-half minutes.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Watson).
Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Nadler) for bringing this bill to the floor and join my
colleagues from New York and other places in the extensions of
sympathy.
Over the past few days, many of us have spoken up to commend public
safety personnel across the country for their bravery, to thank them
for their tireless efforts, and to offer our condolences for the loss
of their colleagues. Their courage in the face of danger and ongoing
struggle under the burden of great fatigue has given our Nation hope in
otherwise bleak circumstances.
It indeed was a 911 emergency call. But words cannot match the
sacrifices of the police, fire and rescue personnel who have paid the
dearest price for their valor. We owe it to them and to their families
that we provide the injury and survivor benefits promised to them, in
the quickest and most efficient manner possible.
By passing this bill, we will in Congress match our words of thanks
with real actions to support the men and women on the front lines of
their struggle.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill without delay.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the head of the Law Enforcement
Caucus here in Congress.
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to
expedite the benefits for the public safety officers who were killed or
injured as a result of the horrific events of September 11. I commend
the members of the Committee on the Judiciary, the chairman and the
ranking member on this side for bringing this legislation forward.
As the founder and the co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, we are
constantly reminded, and having been a police officer, I have witnessed
the hard work and dedication and sacrifice of our Nation's public
safety officers that they take in day in and day out to make this world
safer.
Mr. Speaker, every time we have a bill on the floor, we hear the old
cliche about how they put their lives on the line every day for us.
Unfortunately, that is true.
Mr. Speaker, on September 11, and every day since then, we have
witnessed, whether through watching the buildings collapse or just
seeing the news coverage, we witness the dedication and courage of the
public safety officers and emergency medical responders who responded
to the emergencies in New York and northern Virginia and Pennsylvania,
wherever it may be.
We in the Law Enforcement Caucus, since I have been here, have been
fighting to make sure that there are survivors' benefits, education
benefits. We regret that today we have to stand here and try to
expedite benefits for hundreds of those public safety officers who gave
their lives to try to assist all those people who were in need of maybe
just a helping hand or a friendly face as they struggled to get out of
the danger they were in.
By expediting these benefits we in Congress, we in the Law
Enforcement Caucus, remind the people throughout this great Nation of
the work and dedication and courage of public safety officers, but also
during their time of need as they are each and every day for us in our
time of need, that we stand ready to assist them.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) for
bringing this bill to the floor, and I hope everyone in this Caucus and
Congress supports this legislation.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong
support of this legislation which will seek to ease a small part of the
intolerable burden which has been placed on families of public safety
officers who have been lost or injured in their heroic efforts to
rescue the victims of Tuesday's attacks.
Currently the Department of Justice provides a one-time payment
benefit of $100,000 to these families. However, the paperwork involved
in processing them can be complicated and unnecessarily time-consuming
involving months of delays. As unbelievable as it may sound, in order
to be approved, the victims' families are required to provide autopsy
reports and proof that he or she did not suffer from a preexisting
injury that may have contributed to their death.
When this legislation is passed, the families of these victims will
not have to endure this heart-wrenching process. Instead, once the
Federal Government has certified that the public safety officer has
gone down in the line of duty, the victim's family will automatically
receive their benefit. There will be no bureaucratic or unnecessary
delays in this process.
In Arlington County, I am proud to say that countless numbers of
people have assisted in the Herculean effort to rescue the victims of
the Pentagon disaster. When I called to ask for a specific number of
officers injured in the line of duty, I was told those figures were not
available because of the outpouring of assistance. Officers from all
over the area have been rushing to help without bothering to sign in or
be accounted for.
By passing this legislation today, we will help ensure that victims'
families will not have to needlessly suffer should the very worst
happen.
Mr. Speaker, more public safety officers were lost in the attack on
the United States Tuesday than any other single event in modern
history. Expediting assistance is one small way we can help families
cope with this loss and take advantage of this benefit without undue
burden or delays. Without question, more needs to be done in response
to Tuesday's cataclysmic events, but this is a good first step in
helping some of the victims' families; and I urge my colleagues to
unanimously support this legislation.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am not a New Yorker, but what happened at the World
Trade Center in New York could have happened anyplace in the country,
because terrorism knows no boundaries. It could have happened in
Milwaukee or San Francisco or Atlanta or anyplace else.
Americans throughout our land, as well as people around the world,
witnessed in horror what unfolded on Tuesday morning. First one
building was hit, then a second building was hit, then both of the
buildings collapsed, and there were hundreds or thousands of people who
were in them.
[[Page H5602]]
But over and above everything, the public safety officers in New
York, the firefighters and the police officers, were unflinching in
doing their duty, which was to try to save lives and to protect
property. Over 200 of them are now reported as missing and presumed
dead. We could be talking about the Milwaukee police and fire
department or San Francisco police and fire department or the police
and fire department of any community in the country, but New York was
the city that was hit.
It is our responsibility to make sure that the families of the fallen
receive the benefits that the Federal Government has extended to them
for over 30 years as quickly and as promptly as possible. They will
suffer enough pain with the loss of their loved ones. They should not
be financially strapped because paperwork does not get done quickly.
This bill is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do for
New York today, and it would be the right thing to do for public safety
officers who perish in large numbers as a result of a tragedy anyplace
else in the country at any time in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEINER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my thanks to the chairman, the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and all of the Members of this body
who have demonstrated their support, and to all of their constituents
throughout this country who have been deluging New Yorkers with their
demonstrations of support. The stand we take here on behalf of
firefighters is done so on behalf of all Americans.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the sponsor of the bill,
for the purpose of allocating time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner)
and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner). I have just returned from
spending time with my fellow New Yorkers to introduce this legislation.
I must say, when I was going up to New York from Washington, going up
by train, usually the first thing I see 20 miles away is the World
Trade Center, the twin towers, and it gives me a good feeling, like a
welcome home. This week, going up on the train from 20 miles away, no
twin towers, no World Trade Center, only a huge plume of smoke
stretching down the Jersey shore, and my guts felt like they were being
torn out.
{time} 1200
I take no pride in introducing this legislation, and if ever there
were a bill I drafted I wish were not needed, this would be it.
Like so many Americans, I wait to hear from friends and colleagues
who were in lower Manhattan when tragedy struck early Tuesday morning.
With each passing hour, hope wanes; and we cannot help but feel more
empty inside.
But through all of this death and destruction, there are some
glimmers of hope. All across this country, men, women and children are
coming together, to volunteer their services, to donate supplies, and
to donate their blood, and even in many countries abroad. Even more
moving are the numerous accounts witnesses have relayed of the heroic
and fearless actions of the region's firefighters and police officers
as they rushed up to the inferno that the World Trade Center had become
as thousands of civilians rushed out. Putting the safety and well-being
of others well above their own, public safety officers performed the
most courageous acts; but, sadly, probably about 300 New York City
firefighters and EMS workers and EMT volunteers and people paid with
their lives as well as 60 or 70 New York City and Port Authority police
officers.
According to the International Association of Firefighters, more
public safety officers were lost in this attack on the United States
than any other single event in modern history. In New York City, we
normally lose four to five firefighters in a year. On one day, on
Tuesday, we lost about 300.
When a public safety officer dies in the line of duty, his or her
family receives a one-time benefit payment. The paperwork involved,
unfortunately, is often long, arduous and time consuming. Just as our
public safety officers stand up for us, we must now stand up for them
in this time of tragedy. This legislation directs the Department of
Justice to expedite the payment process for the families of those
affected by Tuesday's events. Expediting assistance is one small way we
can help families cope with this tragic loss and take advantage of this
important benefit without undue burdens or delays. Of course, much more
needs to be done in response to Tuesday's events. I stand ready to work
with all of my colleagues to address this crisis in a timely and
comprehensive manner.
I urge all my colleagues to vote for this legislation as the first
step. We will take other steps. This country will make the criminals
who committed this act of war against the United States and against
civilization rue the day they were born. But this is our first step. I
thank my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Owens).
(Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge all of my colleagues to
join us in taking this step that Members of Congress can take. There
are a lot of things we cannot do. I am proud of the fact that so many
Americans have responded in doing the things that they can do. They can
give blood, and they are giving blood from all over the country. You
can do that.
There are some things that we can do in Congress without having
additional information, without a great deal of planning. We can make
it easier for those who have paid the supreme price, for the families
of those who have paid the supreme price, to at least know certain
things are taken care of while they contend with their own grieving.
The stories are numerous of eyewitness accounts. One that stands out
in my mind most is the one, and I have been riveted to the television
and heard many of them, the account of the young man on the 85th floor
who came down the steps. He said that the biggest difficulty they
encountered was at the 34th floor when they encountered firemen who
were coming up and who were so exhausted because of the gear they were
carrying until one of them almost passed out. They stopped to help the
firemen. They were going out. And I think that those who gave those
accounts got out safely, but I am certain that the firemen they
encountered are among those firemen who perished there.
That kind of heroism, we should all salute and support by taking the
steps that we can take here in Congress to make life as easy as
possible for their families.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, in what may very well be remembered as our
Nation's most deplorable tragedy, our American family has stood firm.
Amid the carnage and the destruction, amongst the pain and the anguish,
our public safety officers performed their duties the way no fictional
hero in Hollywood could dare imagine. Our police officers and
firefighters, EMTs, along with countless other Americans in support
roles are always there for us. Let us make sure that we, as their
family, are there for them. Fire officials have said that over 300
firefighters are currently missing or dead. Dozens of police officers
and other emergency workers are still unaccounted for. The Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey has said it has lost so many
employees.
To my buddies in the New York fire department and to my friends in
the New York police department, we share in your grief. God only knows
what else we will hear in the days ahead. God only knows how many
children will arrive home only to discover that their brave mother or
father has perished while serving their country. Let us make sure that
these families are served by us, not only with our undying admiration
and appreciation but also with our tangible support.
[[Page H5603]]
I implore my colleagues to support the gentleman from New York's
bill. Payment to the families of public safety officers lost in the
line of duty, our first defenders, should be mandatory. Now is not the
time for long and time-consuming paperwork. Now is not the time for
these families in their time of crisis and need to worry about their
finances. Let us do right by our American family. Let us ensure that
the Public Safety Officer Program operates effectively and efficiently.
On behalf of all of my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank
you to all of those who have served on this most solemn of tragedies.
We are with you. We are with America, our family.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by again thanking the gentleman from
Wisconsin for helping to expedite this bill so that it is before us
today and hopefully will pass this body and the other body also today.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I want to make clear, I want to emphasize that
this legislation, one of the good points about it is that it makes the
funds that are necessary available immediately as an entitlement not
subject to appropriations, so we do not have to worry about the
appropriation process.
Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my confidence that the
Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury will join the
Congress in treating the families of these heroic public servants,
these heroic police officers, fire officers and emergency medical
technicians and so forth, in treating their families with the respect
they are due from a grateful Nation and will speed the help that they
need and deserve as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Having said that, Mr. Speaker, let me again simply say that I regret
that I was not on the floor yesterday to speak or vote on the
resolution. I was up in New York in my district which includes the
World Trade Center dealing with some of the problems, some of the
people, and touring the site. It is a gut-wrenching site. But let me
express my confidence that New York and the United States will recover
from this. We are a resilient people. We will recover from this. We
will build anew. The terrorists who did this, the nations behind them,
will pay a heavy price, and this act of war will not go unpunished. And
we will wage war until this scourge of terrorism is eradicated from the
face of our planet.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill. I thank the body.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler) for recognizing this paperwork problem and drafting legislation
to cut the red tape and to make sure that these payments are made to
the appropriate beneficiaries in the earliest possible manner.
Let me tell the Justice and Treasury Departments that if I hear of
any delay in expediting these payments, I am going to be all over their
back just as the gentleman from New York and other Members of this
House will be on their back as well. This has to be a priority, and
this Congress is stating that this has to be a priority through the
passage of this bill today.
I am very pleased to support the efforts of the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Nadler). And I am supporting it because I am an American and
because this is the right thing to do.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the utmost support
of H.R. 2882. This legislation is designed to assure expedited payments
of benefits to public safety officers who were killed or suffered
injuries in the line of duty while responding to the terrorist attacks
of September 11, 2001.
It is centrally important that this nation proceed hand in hand with
the rule of law while confronting this catastrophe. We must assure,
above all else, that our actions are not those of a vengeful nation.
Instead, we must act with the conviction and certainty that the laws
created under our Constitution allow.
In order to accomplish this goal, we must make sure that we pay
adequate attention to the human issues involved in this tragedy. By
assuring that the officers whom we have praised for their selflessness
and contributions to stability receive the benefits they deserve in the
most expeditious manner possible, we demonstrate our deep gratitude for
their efforts.
The legislature respects the rule of law by facilitating the civility
of the Federal government toward those citizens we rely on in times of
crisis. H.R. 2882 also pays homage to the legacies of those fallen
public safety officers by making it easier for their spouses and family
members to collect the benefits they are entitled to.
Many of the brave men and women who were first to respond to the
events at the World Trade Center are no longer here to witness the
cheers of citizens urging service personnel on to find their friends
and loved ones. They are not among us to hear the pronouncements and
salutations world leaders have provided recognizing their supreme
sacrifice. This legislation ensures that these statements are not empty
gestures. It places the priority of thee fallen citizens--to provide
safety and security for their families and friends--at the forefront of
our remembrance.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation, and I am proud
that this Congress has chosen to move so quickly to assure these
families receive the support they deserve.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2882, the
Public Safety Officer Benefit Bill.
Several hundred fire, police and rescue personnel lost their lives on
Tuesday, September 11th simply doing their jobs: protecting the lives
of New Yorkers. This legislation, today, will enable us to provide the
families of these heroes with some small compensation for the lose of
their loved one. While we can never give them back the sister, or
husband or brother or son that they lost, at least we can spare them
the indignity of having to produce mountains of paperwork in order to
obtain this benefit.
Today's bill is an excellent improvement to current law and I would
urge my colleagues to wholeheartedly support it.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker I rise today in full support of H.R. 2882
expeditiing payments to the families of the brave public safety
officers killed or injured in the line of duty during the heinous acts
of terrorism against the United States which occurred on September 11,
2001. Our nation owes these heroic men and women our deepest gratitude
and we extend to their families our sincerest and heartfelt sorrow for
their loss. As our Nation stoically comes to grips with the shocking
enormity of these attacks, our brave public safety officers remain on
the front line of the massive search and rescue efforts underway. They
are leading the tireless search for our fellow citizens and for their
fallen comrades. At this time of national tragedy, let us acknowledge
the ongoing sacrifices that our Nation's brave public safety officers
continue to selflessly endure in the name of freedom and humanity. And
may the ultimate sacrifice of their comrades never be forgotten. We
pray for the safety of our public safety officers and the safe return
of their fellow officers who remain missing. I urge my colleagues to
fully support this bill.
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important
legislation that will provide much needed assistance to the brave men
and women who have been leading our search and rescue efforts.
The tragic violence of two days ago has been a test of our resolve
and our determination as a nation. We have more than met this test--we
have passed it with flying colors, showing our enemies that we will not
succumb to their messages of hatred, of violence, and of fear. All
across American, we have witnessed proud displays of patriotism,
courage, and compassion at prayer vigils and blood drives, through
words of encouragement and individual acts of heroism.
No one has displayed this incredible bravery and selflessness like
the fire, rescue, and police personnel that have put their lives on the
line in the hopes of saving those who were the victims of these heinous
attacks. From all corners of our great nation, volunteers are pouring
into Western Pennsylvania, New York City, and Arlington, Virginia to
aid their fellow public safety workers and to keep the rescue efforts
going around the clock. Regrettably, many of these same men and women
are among the lists of those that we have lost or that are missing. Our
hearts go out to their families, who have made a tremendous sacrifice
so that others might live.
Mr. Speaker, we can and should do all that we can to provide aid and
comfort to these heroes and to the families that have suffered loss in
the line of duty. H.R. 2882 is the very least we can do for them. It
will expedite payments for those that are killed or suffered a
catastrophic illness as a result of their actions here. It cannot
replace the father, son, or husband that is killed; it cannot mend the
extraordinary physical and mental harm they endure; but it can ease at
least one aspect of this horrible experience.
Our first responders are our front line defense to violence on our
shores. These brave men and women have made us all proud and
[[Page H5604]]
lifted our hearts during this trying time. Their heroic acts remind us
that the soul of America is vibrant and strong. I am proud to do my
part to support them today. I urge my colleagues to make passage of
this legislation unanimous.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this resolution offered by the gentleman of New York, Mr. Nadler.
As this week's horrific events unfolded, I watched brave
firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel risking their lives
to save others.
I watched hospitals prepare for the wounded and our armed forces go
on high alert.
I watched a stricken nation respond by rushing to donate blood and
volunteer their time to help the injured. These are acts of honor and
bravery that no barbaric act of violence can penetrate.
Unfortunately, many of our brave rescue personnel perished in the
line of duty.
My condolences and prayers go out to the families for the loss of
their loved ones.
To those people, let me say I've witnessed firsthand how individuals
come together in a moment of crisis, and I can assure you the country
will be there for you in your time of need.
That is why I urge members to support this important resolution and
help families cope with their tragic loss, and take advantage of the
Federal Public Safety Officer Benefit program without delay.
These families deserve no less in their time of grief.
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
bill, H.R. 2882.
The Nation's first responders--the firefighters, emergency medical
personnel, and police--are the first to arrive at the scene, and the
last to leave.
As the Nation mourns the deaths of hundreds, and probably thousands,
of our fellow citizens, as we take stock of the destruction caused by
Tuesday's terrorist attacks, we should also pause for a moment to
reflect on the brave men and women who put their lives on the line
every day, in every small town and suburb and big city across the
country.
In passing H.R. 2882, we help ease the burden the families of these
fallen heroes deserve. These brave men and women gave their lives in
the line of duty in one of the most tragic events in our Nation's
history. It has been reported that over 250 New York firefighters,
emergency medical personnel, and police officers may have perished at
the World Trade Center.
We cannot bring these people back, but we can ensure that those who
survive them do not have to endure excessive paperwork to receive the
benefits they deserve through the selflessness and sacrifice of their
loved ones.
Many people would not be alive today if it were not for the bravery
and sacrifice of these first responders. In one of the country's
darkest hours, they kept faith with their colleagues, with those in
need, with their country, and for that they paid the ultimate price. We
have an obligation to ensure that their families get the support they
need, and quickly, so that they can pick up the threads of their lives.
The Nation's first responders represent the very best of America, and
we owe them and their families a debt of profound gratitude. Passing
H.R. 2882 is the least we can do to bring some comfort to the families
of these fallen heroes. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Pursuant to the order of
the House of today, the bill is considered read for amendment, and the
previous question is ordered.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 413,
nays 0, not voting 17, as follows:
[Roll No. 339]
YEAS--413
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Allen
Andrews
Armey
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldacci
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Barrett
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Becerra
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonior
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Bryant
Burr
Burton
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Coble
Collins
Combest
Condit
Cooksey
Costello
Cox
Coyne
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Culberson
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Fletcher
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Frank
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Goss
Graham
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grucci
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Harman
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Herger
Hill
Hilleary
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Horn
Hostettler
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kerns
Kildee
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Luther
Maloney (CT)
Manzullo
Markey
Mascara
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Menendez
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mink
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Murtha
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Phelps
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Reyes
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Roemer
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roukema
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Sanchez
Sanders
Sandlin
Sawyer
Schaffer
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shows
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sununu
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Traficant
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watkins (OK)
Watson (CA)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--17
Conyers
Davis (IL)
Fossella
Kelly
Kilpatrick
Largent
Lipinski
Maloney (NY)
McKeon
Meeks (NY)
Ortiz
Rangel
Royce
Saxton
Taylor (NC)
Watt (NC)
Young (AK)
{time} 1236
Mr. BECERRA and Mr. STARK changed their vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the
vote on H.R.
[[Page H5605]]
2882. Had I been able to return from the Pentagon, I would have voted
in strong support for H.R. 2882, to expedite relief for the families of
law enforcement officers lost in this terrible tragedy.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 339 I was unavoidably
detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''
____________________