[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL TO VICTIMS OF SEPTEMBER 11 
                         ATTACK ON THE PENTAGON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am joined today by a group of 
bipartisan colleagues to introduce legislation to establish a memorial 
in honor of the victims of the September 11 attack on the Pentagon.
  This legislation would reserve a portion of land at the Navy Annex, 
which is situated across from the Pentagon in Arlington, to erect a 
memorial for this purpose.
  Anyone that has visited this site knows the many personal stories and 
tributes left in memory of the victims of this attack. It overlooks the 
site of the attack on the Pentagon and has already served as a informal 
memorial location, marked by countless flowers, handwritten notes and 
candlelight vigils.
  This land, which is already subject to transfer to the Secretary of 
the Army (under section 2881 of the Military Construction Authorization 
Act for FY2000, P.L. 106-65), would provide an ideal location to locate 
a memorial to honor the victims of the Pentagon attack.
  Words do not sufficiently describe the pain and utter sadness we all 
feel as a result of this tragic event. Locally, we all know someone who 
was affected by this attack.
  The establishment of a memorial at the Navy Annex is just one small 
way we as a country can ensure that the spirit of these individuals 
lives on and that our American way of life is uplifted.
  These 189 victims were not only friends and neighbors, but they 
represent the countless American lives that have been touched by 
September 11. Many of them were serving their country as either 
soldiers or public servants.
  They were parents, friends and active members of our communities. 
They, like other victims of the tragic events of that day, represented 
a cross-section of America, coming from all walks of life.
  Despite the profound pain that our country has experienced, we have 
also witnessed an uplifting of the American spirit in the aftermath of 
this event through the outpouring of generosity and volunteer 
assistance.
  We must not forget how powerful our country is when we come together 
and work toward a common goal and purpose. I think this memorial should 
also serve as a reminder of what makes our country and its people 
persevere in the face of adversity.
  Already we have seen an outpouring of generosity and interest from 
members of the public in establishing the Navy Annex as an official 
site for such a memorial.
  The New York and Pennsylvania delegations are planning to establish 
memorials to the victims who died in those attack sites. It is only 
fitting that we establish a site here that will enable the general 
public to pay tribute to the 189 Americans who died in the September 11 
attack at the Pentagon.
  I would note that this legislation complies with the established 
standards for memorials and commemorative works. It leave the process 
of siting, design, and construction of the memorial to the National 
Capital Planning Commission, the National Capitol Monuments Commission 
and the Fine Arts Commission.
  I am confident that the collective expertise of these commissions 
will yield an appropriate design and message for such a memorial.
  I look forward to working with Members of Congress and the 
administration to swiftly enact this legislation establishing a 
memorial to properly honor the victims of the September 11 attack on 
the Pentagon.

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