[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2803-H2806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PAYING TRIBUTE TO WORKERS IN NEW YORK CITY FOR RESCUE, RECOVERY, AND 
             CLEAN-UP EFFORTS AT SITE OF WORLD TRADE CENTER

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 424) paying tribute to the workers in New York City 
for their rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts at the site of the 
World Trade Center.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 424

       Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four 
     civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of 
     the World Trade Center in New York City;
       Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist 
     attacks ever launched against the United States, claiming the 
     lives of more than 3,000 innocent people;
       Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks, without showing 
     any hesitation, public safety officers, steel workers, 
     electricians, construction workers, and thousands of skilled 
     workers and volunteers spent endless days and nights, many 
     without sleep for over 36 hours, risking their own lives to 
     assist in the search for and rescue of anyone that might have 
     survived the devastation at the site of the World Trade 
     Center, which has come to be known as ``Ground Zero'';
       Whereas the resolve of our nation was strengthened by the 
     courage of the thousands of brave rescue and recovery workers 
     who used their own hands in the hours and days after 
     September 11th to this day to remove rubble from the site to 
     locate those trapped and buried beneath the debris of the 
     World Trade Center;
       Whereas these workers inspired the American people with 
     their extraordinary bravery and heroism, often risking their 
     own life and limb to help find the remains of those who 
     perished on September 11th;
       Whereas many rescue and recovery workers were not just 
     searching for a stranger but rather their lost son, daughter, 
     aunt, uncle, brother, sister, husband, wife, mother, father, 
     lifelong friend, or co-worker; each of these workers were 
     helping to clear the debris just hoping to come across any 
     one of their loved ones;
       Whereas people, not only in New York but across the nation, 
     worked to supply Ground Zero workers with such things as food 
     and water, clothing, and medical supplies, surmounted 
     numerous challenges and difficulties in securing and 
     distributing these goods, and made it happen within hours and 
     continuing still today, never once looked at how difficult it 
     might be to get supplies, but rather went out and did 
     whatever it took to ensure that the needs for those supplies 
     were met;
       Whereas local businesses, churches, and citizens opened 
     their doors to police, fire, and other workers with places to 
     sleep, eat, or even simply pray;
       Whereas the selflessness displayed by the rescue and 
     recovery workers helped unify our nation, bringing together 
     good people to demonstrate to the forces of terror that good 
     would triumph over evil;
       Whereas all involved in the efforts at Ground Zero were 
     working unselfishly beyond the point of exhaustion without 
     regard for food, water, or sleep, simply to save and recover 
     anyone and everyone possible; and
       Whereas the recovery effort will conclude after more than 
     nine months of hard work, removing over 1.6 million tons of 
     debris while at the same time taking great care to collect 
     all victims' remains, thereby allowing more than 1,000 
     families to lay their loved ones to rest: Now, therefore, be 
     it

[[Page H2804]]

       Resolved, That the House of Representatives pays tribute to 
     the workers in New York City for their rescue, recovery, and 
     clean-up efforts at the site of the World Trade Center, which 
     was destroyed by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).


                             General Leave

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 424.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Fossella) be permitted to control the time on House 
Concurrent Resolution 424.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Maloney), and I join, I think, with the entire country to introduce a 
House resolution to pay tribute to the hundreds, if not thousands, of 
workers who have responded to the World Trade Center since that fateful 
day on September 11.
  As a Nation, we need not be reminded, but in a way we always need to 
be reminded, of what happened that day; of the loss of life, of those 
who lost loved ones, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters who were lost, 
fathers, mothers. We know the tragedy, and it will forever be written 
of. But out of that tragedy really came a resilience and strength in 
this country, and some of that was demonstrated by the workers who 
reported immediately to ground zero and have been there almost every 
day since.
  Believe it or not, Mr. Speaker, the recovery and ultimate 
redevelopment of the World Trade Center, which just a few months ago 
was thought to be almost impossible, will be coming to a close. In just 
the next few short days there will be a ceremony in New York City to 
honor and to pay tribute to those who have responded.
  For someone who was there on September 11, I can tell my colleagues 
that the dedication and the commitment of these individuals has been 
unbelievable. But with all that, all the work that they have done, the 
1.6 million tons of debris, some of it, sadly, tragically, containing 
the remains of those who perished in the Trade Center, a lot of it 
ending up on Staten Island, so it hits close to home for all of us, I 
cannot tell you how proud we should be of them. They responded. They 
give their time, sometimes working 16, 18, 20 hours a day, many of them 
looking for their loved ones.
  You can just read the papers. Take the time necessary and see of 
those fathers who responded day in and day out hoping to find their 
sons, or those hoping to find a sister or a wife. Perhaps as we look 
back, this will be one of the darkest, if not the darkest, spot in 
American history. But if we look for a silver lining to it, it is the 
fundamental belief that there were those who responded heroically, with 
honor, with a sense of purpose to rebuild this country.
  When we were attacked on September 11 at the Trade Center, we began 
the process of rebuilding almost immediately, all with the sense of 
honor to those who lost their life.
  I can only tell my colleagues, as someone who lost almost 300 people 
from the district that I am very privileged to represent, and I think I 
can speak for a lot of those families, that each one of those 
individuals who have been at the Trade Center, Ground Zero as it has 
become known, we say thank you.

                              {time}  2045

  I think the entire Congress of this country has said thank you. 
Everybody across this country has responded wonderfully, Members on 
both sides. All 50 States have offered their advice, guidance, support, 
financial, emotional, spiritual, and it is not underappreciated. But 
this is the way we formally say thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume. I am very pleased to join with the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Fossella) in support of this very important resolution. I also 
would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in Congress 
for their support of New York, for voting for the $20 billion to help 
us restore our site, and for all of their support that continues each 
day in this Congress for our constituents and for our city.
  I rise in support of this important resolution in praise of the 
workers at Ground Zero. After many months of around-the-clock work, the 
clearing of debris from the attacks on the World Trade Center has 
neared completion. The cleanup efforts in response to the attacks on 
the World Trade Center involved unprecedented, selfless acts of heroism 
by thousands of men and women from the construction and building trades 
who worked in an extremely dangerous atmosphere as they cleared the 
disaster site. In total they have cleared more than 1.6 million tons of 
debris in 8 months.
  In the immediate aftermath of the attack, volunteers from the 
construction unions, iron and steelworkers and many others, toiled 
alongside firefighters and police officers and volunteers digging 
tunnels and gaining access to victims by operating cranes, burning 
steel, driving trucks, and moving debris by hand as part of the famous 
Bucket Brigade. Over the many months, the workers completed the cleanup 
of Ground Zero in an atmosphere which was filled with danger and in the 
midst of still burning fires and deadly debris. They completed their 
work ahead of schedule and with safety as an ultimate concern. I think 
that it is remarkable that they toiled in such dangerous conditions, 
yet there was not one serious injury of the volunteers and the 
construction workers who worked at the site.
  Despite these dangerous conditions, the contracting firms themselves 
began the rescue and cleanup of the site without any government 
guarantee that they would be compensated for legal liability that they 
might incur during the cleanup. Nevertheless, the workers of Ground 
Zero and the contracting companies embraced this unprecedented and 
perilous challenge. Their actions personified the enduring 
determination to get New York back on its feet and to restore Lower 
Manhattan's majesty.
  Throughout this heartbreaking cleanup, they worked tirelessly, many 
times away from their families for days. Of all of the things that I 
remember the most about Ground Zero, having gone there that night and 
the next day on September 12 and many other days, was the absolute 
silence at the site, the hushed silence at the site which lasted for 
many days after the bombing. It reflected an appreciation for the 
magnitude of the horror and the fact that they were working on the 
surface of a mass grave.
  I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Tully Construction 
Company who at my request preserved a segment of the ruins to be 
transformed into a national monument at an appropriate time in the 
future. We all remember the images of steel fragments from the towers 
that plunged upright into the pavement like arrows into the hearts of 
all New Yorkers, and I would say all citizens of America, and nearby 
fire trucks that were partially submerged and ruined in the rubble.
  Thanks to the care and respect that workers have demonstrated in 
dismantling and removing the wreckage, these images will be preserved 
in honor of those who were lost, and in remembrance of a black Tuesday 
that this Nation must never forget. The scores of companies, 
organizations and union members who have cooperated in clearing the 
site with extraordinary speed, efficiency and safety include, but are 
not limited to, a special team of the New York City Office of Emergency 
Management and the New York City Department of Design and Construction; 
with main contractors Turner

[[Page H2805]]

Construction, Plaza Construction, Bovis Construction, Amec Construction 
and Tully Construction; and dozens of subcontractors, including 
Thornton-Tomasette Engineering, LZA Engineering, New York Crane, Bay 
Crane, Cranes Inc., Slattery Association, Grace Industries, Big Apple 
Demolition, Regional Scaffolding & Hoisting, Atlantic-Heydt 
Scaffolding, York Scaffolding, Weeks Marine and Bechtel Corp.
  Mr. Speaker, many Members of Congress and the Senate have gone to 
Ground Zero. They have seen the devastation but also resilience and 
redemption in the work that is being done there. I know I speak for 
this entire body in expressing our country's deep appreciation for the 
risks taken and sacrifices made by the unsung heroes at Ground Zero who 
have reminded us what the American spirit is all about.
  We will be having a ceremony soon that will mark the completion of 
the cleanup. I join my colleagues tonight in honoring all that 
participated, the police, the fire, the emergency medical, the 
volunteers and the construction trades who toiled selflessly to help 
our city and this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for really 
articulating, I think, the sentiments of many. As we saw those 
firefighters rush in or the police officers, the Port Authority police 
officers or the construction trades, the ironworkers, the steelworkers, 
the carpenters, as she has indicated, selflessly, without fear for 
their own life in an attempt to help others, they have been there since 
day one. There is no question that this was a terrible, terrible 
moment. There is no question that so many lives were lost and that we 
need to honor them every day. There is also no question that we need to 
pay tribute as so many Americans really have come to Ground Zero to pay 
their respects, to really offer a helping hand to the good people of 
New York, New York City. This is one way really Congress just does it 
formally.
  To the local businesses that had opened their doors to those 
volunteers to sleep on cots or on the floor, to have a meal, or to get 
something to drink or just simply to sit and pray, we say thank you to 
them. I thank my colleagues on both sides for being so supportive of 
New York financially, in helping us to rebuild, and also paying honor 
to those at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island where so much of 
this, of the trade center, is sent on a daily basis and continues to be 
sent on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have hundreds 
of professionals and volunteers going through with the utmost delicacy 
and utmost respect for the human beings that were lost on that fateful 
day. They should be honored as well.
  But tonight we pay tribute to those at the trade center. As we have 
indicated, there will be a ceremony and they will know that the United 
States House of Representatives says thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I join my colleagues in thanking the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Fossella). We have stood in this well practically every day to thank 
our colleagues for their support, for their aid, for their friendship, 
for their concern. We can never say thank you enough for being there 
for New Yorkers in our time of greatest need. We appreciate so much the 
actions of this body. We appreciate the honorable work of all that were 
involved in the cleanup and in saving lives.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
offered by my friend and colleague from Staten Island, Vito Fossella, 
in honor of all of the people who served at Ground Zero, whether 
looking for survivors to aid, helping to locate remains that would 
allow a family some closure, or rebuilding our City.
  After September 11, the terrorists responsible thought they could 
scare America into submission, but the faces of the people working at 
Ground Zero--the public safety officers, the volunteers, the 
contractors, clean-up crews and union members--everyone there proved 
them wrong. In the face of the worst of humanity, New York displayed 
the best of humanity. America witnessed the bravery of its people that 
day as thousands of people rushed to the scene to help find survivors. 
Not just our brave firefighters, police and emergency medical 
technicians who were working that day, but office workers, students, 
construction workers, vendors, tourists and off-duty public safety 
officers.
  There were so many but I would like to highlight one, Michael 
Weinberg of Maspeth, Queens. He was a 34-year-old firefighter who was 
off duty on September 11 and engaging in his passion--golf. It was on 
the course that he first learned of the news at the World Trade Center. 
Concerned for the people in the building, including his older sister 
Patricia, he rushed to his station house where he joined Fire 
Department Chaplain Rev. Mychal Judge and Capt. Daniel Brethel to go to 
the Towers. As the towers collapsed, all three perished in the building 
trying to aid victims.
  His sister, who did escape safely from the Tower, remembered him with 
the simple but telling phrase ``He loved to help people.'' This was a 
phrase used to describe so many people that day.
  Our City was overwhelmed with offers of support from all over the 
Country, from people like Michael Weinberg who loved to help other 
people. Such as the welders who came to Manhattan from all over the 
area--not just the City or the State but all over; they jumped in their 
trucks to help at Ground Zero. Police and Fire fighters had to be 
convinced to take time off--even just a few minutes--from the rescue 
and recovery efforts; people who had been working for several days 
straight whether on duty or not. So many people rushed to the scene to 
join our firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, court 
officers and Port Authority Police among so many already there to help.
  Many of us remember the horribly tragic sight of seeing families 
waving pictures of missing loved ones on posters, or photos of the 
missing on telephone polls and windows in the City. What we didn't see 
were the people who tried to help find these people--we salute them 
today.
  Blood banks had lines going for blocks from those citizens who 
couldn't go down to Ground Zero and help, but felt the need to 
contribute to the effort. People opened their wallets for the Twin 
Towers Fund and other relief charities for the families.
  But this sense of volunteerism did not end after a few days--workers 
toiled day and night at Ground Zero--and still do. The fires at the 
World Trade Center could not be completely extinguished until December, 
with firefighters battling them daily; with police combing the 
wreckage; and with construction workers starting the clean-up and 
rebuilding process. They worked in some of the most horrible conditions 
known to humans--conditions that are unfathomable to all those except 
the few who were down there.
  It was these workers that voiced the initial anger in the attacks and 
the pride in our nation shortly after that day when President Bush 
visited Ground Zero. People like that construction workers at Ground 
Zero, who shouted that he could not hear the President. At which the 
President responded with the memorable and inspirational line that 
while he may not be heard by all of those at Ground Zero, the people at 
Ground Zero were being heard by him, by the American people and soon by 
the terrorists that knocked those buildings down.
  We honor their work today--work that took them into the most gruesome 
place imaginable. They are the people who make our country work and 
have helped us restore our sense of being--and showed the world what it 
is to be an American.
  But while we salute our workers at Ground Zero, we must also work to 
remember their courage and their work everyday. The crowds that saluted 
and cheered our firefighters, are no longer there, but our respect and 
admiration for them must continue--both through encouraging words and 
also through support and assistance. All of the people who went to 
Ground Zero and worked there are a true inspiration for all of us.
  This is a timely resolution and I am pleased it will coincide with 
the events being held next week, by Mayor Bloomberg to honor those at 
Ground Zero who worked to clean up the rubble and helped repair a 
broken City. They have removed almost 2 million tons of debris in less 
time then expected. They worked for us and we owe them a debt of 
gratitude. While the terrorists may have broken buildings we will never 
be a broken people.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 424.
  The question was taken.

[[Page H2806]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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