[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 100 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H5021-H5027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
                    TRUE AMERICAN HEROES ACT OF 2002

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5138) to posthumously award Congressional gold medals to 
government workers and others who responded to the attacks on the World 
Trade Center and the Pentagon and perished and to people aboard United 
Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane 
to crash, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
commemoration of the Spirit of America, recognizing the tragic events 
of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5138

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``True American Heroes Act of 
     2002''.

              TITLE I--MEDALS FOR RESPONDERS AND RESISTERS

     SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS 
                   WHO RESPONDED TO THE ATTACKS ON THE WORLD TRADE 
                   CENTER AND PERISHED.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--In recognition of the bravery 
     and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency workers, and other 
     employees of State and local government agencies, including 
     the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the 
     United States Government and others, who responded to the 
     attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and 
     perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001 
     (including those who are missing and presumed dead), the 
     Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the 
     Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the 
     presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of 
     appropriate design for each such officer, emergency worker, 
     employee, or other individual to the next of kin or other 
     personal representative of each such officer, emergency 
     worker, employee, or other individual.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary to be 
     emblematic of the valor and heroism of the men and women 
     honored.
       (c) Determination of Recipients.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall determine the number of medals to be presented 
     under this section and the appropriate recipients of the 
     medals after consulting with appropriate representatives of 
     Federal, State, and local officers and agencies and the Port 
     Authority of New York and New Jersey.
       (d) Duplicative Gold Medals For Departments and Duty 
     Stations.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall strike 
     duplicates in gold of the gold medals struck pursuant to 
     subsection (a) for presentation to each of the following, for 
     permanent display in the respective offices, houses, 
     stations, or places of employment:
       (A) The Governor of the State of New York.
       (B) The Mayor of the City of New York.
       (C) The Commissioner of the New York Police Department, the 
     Commissioner of the New York Fire Department, the head of

[[Page H5022]]

     emergency medical services for the City of New York, and the 
     Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of 
     New York and New Jersey.
       (D) Each precinct house, fire house, emergency response 
     station, or other duty station or place of employment to 
     which each person referred to in subsection (a) was assigned 
     on September 11, 2001, for display in each such place in a 
     manner befitting the memory of such persons.
       (e) Duplicate Bronze Medals.--Under such regulations as the 
     Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell 
     duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under 
     subsection (a) at a price sufficient to cover the costs of 
     the bronze medals (including labor, materials, dies, use of 
     machinery, and overhead expenses) and the cost of the gold 
     medal.
       (f) Use of the United States Mint at West Point, New 
     York.--It is the sense of the Congress that the medals 
     authorized under this section should be struck at the United 
     States Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent 
     possible.

     SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR PEOPLE ABOARD UNITED 
                   AIRLINES FLIGHT 93 WHO HELPED RESIST THE 
                   HIJACKERS AND CAUSED THE PLANE TO CRASH.

       (a) Congressional Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93, 
     piloted by Captain James Dahl, departed from Newark 
     International Airport at 8:01 a.m. on its scheduled route to 
     San Francisco, California, with 7 crew members and 38 
     passengers on board.
       (2) Shortly after departure, United Airlines Flight 93 was 
     hijacked by terrorists.
       (3) At 10:37 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near 
     Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
       (4) Evidence indicates that people aboard United Airlines 
     Flight 93 learned that other hijacked planes had been used to 
     attack the World Trade Center in New York City and resisted 
     the actions of the hijackers on board.
       (5) The effort to resist the hijackers aboard United 
     Airlines Flight 93 appears to have caused the plane to crash 
     prematurely, potentially saving hundreds or thousands of 
     lives and preventing the destruction of the White House, 
     the Capitol, or another important symbol of freedom and 
     democracy.
       (6) The leaders of the resistance aboard United Airlines 
     Flight 93 demonstrated exceptional bravery, valor, and 
     patriotism, and are worthy of the appreciation of the people 
     of the United States.
       (b) Presentation of Congressional Gold Medals Authorized.--
     In recognition of heroic service to the Nation, the Speaker 
     of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design 
     for each passenger or crew member on board United Airlines 
     Flight 93 who is identified by the Attorney General as having 
     aided in the effort to resist the hijackers on board the 
     plane to the next of kin or other personal representative of 
     each such individual.
       (c) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (b), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall strike gold medals of a single design with 
     suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined 
     by the Secretary.
       (d) Duplicate Medals.--Under such regulations as the 
     Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, the Secretary may 
     strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals 
     struck under subsection (b) at a price sufficient to cover 
     the cost of the bronze medals (including labor, materials, 
     dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses) and the cost 
     of the gold medals.

     SEC. 103. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS 
                   WHO RESPONDED TO THE ATTACKS ON THE PENTAGON 
                   AND PERISHED.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--In recognition of the bravery 
     and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency workers, and other 
     employees of the United States Government, who responded to 
     the attacks on the Pentagon Washington, D.C. and perished in 
     the tragic events of September 11, 2001 (including those who 
     are missing and presumed dead) the Speaker of the House and 
     the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
     appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of 
     the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design for each 
     such officer, emergency worker, or employee to the next of 
     kin or other personal representative of each such officer, 
     emergency worker, or employee.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall strike gold medals of a single design with 
     suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined 
     by the Secretary.
       (c) Determination of Recipients.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall determine the number of medals to be presented 
     under this section and the appropriate recipients of the 
     medals after consulting with the Secretary of Defense and any 
     other appropriate representative of Federal, State, and local 
     officers and agencies.

     SEC. 104. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck under this title are national medals for 
     purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

            TITLE II--SPIRIT OF AMERICA COMMEMORATIVE COINS

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered the 
     worst act of terrorism in its history.
       (2) The more than 6,000 people who lost their lives as a 
     result of the terrorist attacks that occurred in New York 
     City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania on September 11, 
     2001, will not be forgotten.
       (3) Hundreds of emergency personnel responded heroically to 
     the crisis and lost their lives as a result.
       (4) People from everywhere in the United States responded 
     to the crisis with an outpouring of support for the victims 
     of the terrorist attacks and their families.
       (5) The civilized world stands with strength and fortitude 
     in opposition to the cowardly terrorist attacks against the 
     United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
       (6) It is essential to remember not only the tragedy of the 
     attacks, but also the strength and resolve demonstrated by 
     the people of the United States in the aftermath of the 
     attacks.
       (7) The minting of coins in commemoration of the Spirit of 
     America will pay tribute to the countless heroes who risked 
     their lives during the terrorist attacks and in their 
     aftermath so that others may live and to a united people 
     whose belief in freedom, justice, and democracy has never 
     swayed.

     SEC. 202. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the Spirit of 
     America, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter  in this 
     title referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and 
     issue the following coins:
       (1) $50 gold coins.--Such number of 50 dollar coins as the 
     Secretary determines under subsection (b), which shall--
       (A) weigh 1 ounce;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.287 inches; and
       (C) contain 91.67 percent gold and 8.33 percent alloy.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Such number of 1 dollar coins as the 
     Secretary determines appropriate to meet demand, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (3) Half dollar clad coins.--Such number of half dollar 
     coins as the Secretary determines appropriate to meet demand, 
     which shall--
       (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) be minted to the specifications for half dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Number of Gold Coins.--
       (1) In general.--The number of gold coins minted and issued 
     under this title shall equal the sum of 25,000 and the number 
     determined under paragraph (2).
       (2) Determination of number.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Attorney General of the United States 
     and the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia 
     shall determine the number of innocent individuals confirmed 
     or presumed to have been killed as a result of the terrorist 
     attacks against the United States that occurred on September 
     11, 2001, and shall identify such individuals. The Secretary, 
     under subsection (a)(1), shall mint and issue a number of 50 
     dollar coins equal to the number of such individuals.
       (c) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this title shall 
     be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       (d) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5136 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this 
     title shall be considered to be numismatic items.
       (e) Sources of Bullion.--For the purpose of minting coins 
     under this title, the Secretary may only use metals that are 
     from natural deposits in the United States or any territory 
     or possession of the United States.
       (f) Special Treatment Under Exigent Circumstances.--
       (1) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
       (A) The limitations contained in paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) 
     of section 5112(m) of title 31, United States Code, and 
     section 5134(f)(1)(B) of such title have well served, and 
     continue to serve, their purpose of bringing greater 
     stability to the markets for commemorative coins, maximizing 
     demand and participation in such programs, and ensuring that 
     such programs have a broad base of private support and are 
     not used as the primary means of fundraising by organizations 
     that are the recipients of surcharges.
       (B) The shocking circumstances of September 11, 2001, the 
     broad base of public interest in showing the Spirit of 
     America and participating in the raising of funds for the 
     victims of the crimes committed on that date, and the 
     importance of implementing this coin program as quickly as 
     possible, notwithstanding the fact that 2 commemorative coin 
     programs are already in effect for 2001 and 2002, justify 
     exempting the coins produced under this title from such 
     limitations.
       (2) Exemption.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5112(m) 
     of title 31, United States Code, and section 5134(f)(1)(B) of 
     such title shall not apply to coins authorized under this 
     title.

     SEC. 203. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) In General.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     title shall be emblematic of the tragic events that occurred 
     at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on 
     September 11, 2001.
       (b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this title there shall be--

[[Page H5023]]

       (1) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (2) an inscription of the date ``September 11, 2001'' (and 
     such coin shall bear no other date); and
       (3) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (c) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     title shall be selected by the Secretary after consultation 
     with the Commission of Fine Arts.

     SEC. 204. STRIKING AND ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2), 
     coins minted under this title shall be issued in uncirculated 
     quality.
       (2) Gold coins.--50 dollar coins minted under section 
     202(a)(1) shall be issued only in proof quality.
       (b) Mint Facility.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2), 
     only 1 facility of the United States Mint may be used to 
     strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this 
     title.
       (2) Clad coins.--Any number of facilities of the United 
     States Mint may be used to strike the half dollar coins 
     minted under section 202(a)(3).
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary--
       (1) shall commence issuing coins minted under this title as 
     soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act; 
     and
       (2) shall not issue any coins after the end of the 1-year 
     period beginning on the date such coins are first issued.

     SEC. 205. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under section 202(a) 
     (other than the 50 dollar gold coins referred to in 
     subsection (d)) shall be sold by the Secretary at a price 
     equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharges required by section 206(a) with respect 
     to such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under section 202(a) at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid 
     orders received before the issuance of the coins minted under 
     section 202(a). The sale prices with respect to such prepaid 
     orders shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (d) Gold Coins.--Notwithstanding section 204(c)(2), the 
     Secretary shall issue a 50 dollar coin minted under section 
     202(a)(1) for presentation free of charge to the next of kin 
     or personal representative of each individual identified 
     under section 202(b). The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of such gold coins.

     SEC. 206. SURCHARGES ON SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Assessment.--Any sale by the Secretary of a coin minted 
     under this title shall include a surcharge of an amount 
     determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to cover the 
     cost of the gold coins minted under section 202(a)(1) 
     (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead 
     expenses, and shipping) for presentment in accordance with 
     section 205(d), which charge may not be less than--
       (1) $100 per coin for the 50 dollar gold coins;
       (2) $10 per coin for the 1 dollar coin; and
       (3) $5 per coin for the half dollar coin.
       (b) Distribution of Excess Proceeds.--Any proceeds from the 
     surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins 
     issued under this title in excess of the cost of producing 
     all coins issued under this title (including coins issued for 
     individuals identified pursuant to section 202(b)(2)) shall 
     be--
       (1) used to cover the costs incurred in the production of 
     gold medals under title I that have not been recovered from 
     the sale of duplicate bronze medals under such title; and
       (2) with respect to any amount remaining after the costs 
     described in paragraph (1) are covered, transferred to any 
     fund for victims of the tragedies of September 11, 2001, that 
     the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General 
     jointly determine to be appropriate.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Israel) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).


                             General Leave

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  At the outset, let me commend the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Maloney), also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Stearns), the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), 
the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema), and the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Watts), all of whom are cosponsors of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislation we are bringing up today is our attempt 
to honor those men and women who laid down their lives in the line of 
duty at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in bringing down 
Flight 93 on September 11. No one is ever going to forget where they 
were or forget what they were doing on those terrible days of September 
11, when we saw the terrible attack on the World Trade Center, the 
attack on the Pentagon. We saw Flight 93 being brought down and then 
the rescue efforts that began over the subsequent days.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation today will award Congressional Gold 
Medals to all of those Government workers who laid down their lives in 
the line of duty at the World Trade Center, including, of course, the 
343 New York City firefighters, the Port Authority police, the New York 
City police, the New York State court officers who laid down their 
lives carrying out the greatest rescue mission in the history of this 
country. Twenty-five thousand people were rescued that day from the 
World Trade Center.
  In addition, it will award Congressional Gold Medals to those who 
died in the line of duty at the Pentagon carrying out rescue 
operations, and in addition to that, those who were determined by the 
Attorney General to have been responsible for thwarting the terrorists 
on Flight 93 and bringing that flight down before it could actually 
strike here in Washington, either at the Capitol or the White House or 
wherever the target was intended to be.
  In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, there were others who were not 
uniform officers, who were not government employees, who also became 
part of the rescue operation that day. For instance, there were 
construction workers who were not even working in the World Trade 
Center who rushed into the building that day to carry out a rescue 
operation. One, just for the purposes of the Record, will be Charles 
Costello of Elevator Constructors Local 1, who again raced into the 
building as part of the rescue operation and was killed, not a 
government worker but yet a hero who laid down his life in the line of 
duty.
  In addition to that, we had a number of paramedics and six EMT, six, 
I believe, who were not government workers but were either hospital 
employees or members of volunteer ambulance corps. These men and women 
also laid down their lives and should be recognized.
  In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, the bill includes legislation 
initially introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) and the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) which brings about coins, which 
they can explain in greater detail, but commemorative coins which will 
describe for all time the terrible tragedy of that day, but also the 
glory of that day, and I am sure the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Engel) will discuss that, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), 
in greater detail.
  That is an integral part of this bill because a similar bill to this 
was enacted last December. It did encounter some questions in the 
Senate, and it is our sincere hope that by making the changes we have 
made today, by melding together two different pieces of legislation, 
uniting them as one, that it will make it easier for the bill to be 
passed by the Senate so that it can be presented to the President to be 
signed prior to September 11.
  Mr. Speaker, the events of September 11 were the first great battle 
and the first great war of the 21st century, and the American people 
have responded in a way that surpasses what anyone could have ever 
hoped for, could have ever dreamt of, but the reality is that would not 
have happened if there was not such tremendous courage shown on the day 
of September 11 itself when the rescue workers came forward, when those 
who worked in the buildings, all of whom were heroes in their own 
right, did what had to be done.
  This was America at its best, and by adopting this legislation, both 
as far as the gold medals and as far as the commemorative coins, Mr. 
Speaker, it will be our way as a Congress of showing the dedication 
that we have to those

[[Page H5024]]

men and women who lost their lives on September 11. Also, Mr. Speaker, 
it will be a source of some consolation and solace to the survivors of 
those poor brave men and women who died that day.
  It is a small step. I think it will mean a lot to those families if 
they can see the unity that we feel, the sense of dedication that we in 
the Congress feel toward honoring and commemorating all those men and 
women.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and friend from Long Island 
for bringing this important resolution to the floor today. I have two 
daughters and they do not like it much when I talk about them publicly, 
but in the wake of September 11, both of them asked me many questions. 
They asked me why I was attending so many memorial services and 
funerals. They asked why did this have to happen. They asked why did 
some people die and not others. That is a question that we have been 
asking ourselves every day since September 11. It is a question that we 
will continue to ask ourselves every day in the future, and each of us 
has our own answers inspired by our own faiths and beliefs and 
experiences.
  We may not know why except for this. For the fire and rescue workers 
who died that day, it was their job to save lives. When everyone was 
running away from danger, they rushed towards it. Aboard a jet over 
Pennsylvania, a group of ordinary citizens banded together to force 
their plane down to save our Capitol but to end their own lives. They 
were heroes. Why did they do it?
  They knew that the terrorists were not simply trying to end our 
lives. They were seeking to end our way of life. They knew that those 
terrorists wanted to bring that plane down on the Capitol itself, 
destroying not only the dome of this building but the very foundation 
of our democracy, and rather than fleeing danger, they accepted it to 
save a way of life, to save our way of life, and we all know what that 
way of life is, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 
justice for all.
  Mr. Speaker, what was built by Washington and Adams and Jefferson has 
been saved by the heroes that we recognize today, people like Ray 
Downey of Deer Park and Glen Pettit of Ronkonkoma and John Viggiano of 
West Islip and 100 others in my district on Long Island who lost their 
lives.
  Every day, firefighters across this land risk their lives to protect 
us. We are right to honor them with the Congressional Gold Medal and 
coins mined by the United States Mint, a coin that will include the 
phrase ``In God We Trust.''
  I want to again thank the gentleman for bringing this to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Staten Island, New York (Mr. Fossella).
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time. I also commend him for his leadership on this initiative, and I 
think it is going, as he said, to serve well for those thousands who 
lost their lives on September 11.
  In particular, I would like to commend my colleagues, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Rangel) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Israel), for their leadership in paying honor to so many who lost their 
lives.
  Earlier today, I heard, I think, a right discussion to bring 
attention to the Battle of the Bulge, and we heard some Members come 
forward to express decades later how this country honors those who have 
sacrificed. In a way, this is a similar attempt to do the same thing. 
We are attempting to honor hundreds, if not thousands, of people who 
were either doing their job on September 11, who were on their way to 
rescue, which was and is the largest rescue effort in the history of 
the United States.
  We had firemen rushing to these burning buildings who never escaped. 
Some were on the job. Rescue 5 on Staten Island, all but one of their 
people who rushed into that fire died, people like Mike Esposito, whom 
I grew up with, and so many of his colleagues. Their families are still 
looking for closure, and we are trying to help.
  People who were not even working that day, a guy, Stephen Siller on 
his way to play golf with his brothers, like he did on a regular basis, 
heard the call, saw the burning buildings, rushed into the trade center 
never to come out.
  Some firefighters on the job for just a few days, one of their first 
calls was the trade center, young guys with families, never to return.
  Then we had those who were just doing an honest day's work, young 
people like Jason DeFazio, married to my cousin, newlyweds, about to 
raise family. He was doing his job, a good kid. He will not ever see 
the light of day again.
  The way this all comes about is because people like the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. King) and the people he represents, and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Israel) and so many other of us in this House who represent more 
than Staten Island, where alone over 200 people were killed on 
September 11, and what this Congress fortunately is doing today in a 
small but I think symbolic and significant way is saying they are 
heroes, and the gold medal represents that.
  It will not bring back the loved ones, no, but I think it sends a 
signal to those families, people that live just a few blocks from me, 
Captain Marty Egan and his wife Diane live just a couple of blocks 
away. I hope Diane, when she gets this gold medal, understands that the 
entire Nation, through its elected representatives, says, Diane, your 
husband was a hero, or again, to people like my cousin who lost their 
young husband and in a similar sort of way with some hard evidence that 
this country, through its representatives, says thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that this is highly appropriate, and I again 
commend the gentlemen and ladies who made this possible and a way to 
say thanks to so many people who lost their lives on September 11.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from New York for yielding 
to me and, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5138, the True 
American Heroes Act.
  This is a combination of two bills, one originally sponsored by 
myself and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) and the other one by 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and the gentlewoman from New 
York (Mrs. Maloney). I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
King) for his many courtesies as subcommittee chairman in helping to 
combine the bills and to get these bills through.
  Contained within the legislation is the bill I coauthored with the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) which we called the Spirit of 
America Commemorative Coin. This honors the memory of all the victims 
of the terrible tragedy of September 11.
  For all Americans, September 11 is seared into our memories. As the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. King) mentioned, we will always remember 
where we were on that day and where we were when we heard about the 
tragedies. We were scared together, we cried together and we were 
inspired together. We watched with horror as men with hatred in their 
hearts turned airplanes into weapons of mass destruction.
  I was in New York City that day and I remember standing in disbelief. 
We watched with immense sorrow the destruction of a great American 
icon, and we watched with pride the men and women of the New York Fire 
Department, Police Department, Port Authority, EMTs, Iron Workers and 
other volunteers rush to the World Trade Center to try and save lives. 
Many of them, as, of course, was mentioned by the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Fossella), lost their lives in doing so.
  The Nation went through the same roller coaster of emotions as the 
Pentagon was attacked, and we did it again as we learned of the heroism 
and the bravery of the passengers of Flight 93 who most assuredly saved 
countless more lives here in Washington, D.C.
  I can only hope that for most Americans life has settled into a new 
routine. However, for those of us in New York, there is still a gaping 
hole in our city and in our hearts.

[[Page H5025]]

  I remember going to the World Trade Center site with President Bush 
the Friday after September 11, and I remember standing there and 
thinking I cannot believe this is New York City, I cannot believe this 
is the area that I passed through hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of 
times before. It just seemed like some kind of a burned-out, bombed-
out, ravaged zone which, of course, it was. But I could not believe 
that this was New York City.

                              {time}  1700

  However, we New Yorkers are tough; and we have started to heal. But 
we are committed to remembering those who suffered so much, and the 
Spirit of America Coin Act is part of that remembrance. Each family who 
lost a loved one will be presented with a gold version of this coin and 
the American people will be able to purchase a gold, silver, or clad 
version to help in their remembrance.
  Our original bill had called for the front side of the coin to bear 
an image of the Pentagon and the U.S. flag and the back side of the 
coin a picture of the World Trade Center. Though the new bill does not 
include these direct requirements, the bill still requires ``The design 
of the coins minted under this title shall be emblematic of the tragic 
events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in 
Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001.'' And I would hope that the Mint 
will be very cognizant of what more than 290 Members of this body 
endorsed.
  We had more than 290 cosponsors of this bill, the majority of the 
House; and many of these sponsors personally met with me on the floor 
of this House to discuss this bill. So I would hope the Mint would take 
into account the fact that we would like to have the Pentagon and the 
American flag on one side of this coin and the World Trade Center on 
the other side of the coin. I plan on working closely with the U.S. 
Mint as they develop the design for this important coin. They must take 
into account the wishes of this Congress, and it must stand out as a 
great tribute to the spirit of America.
  I am so pleased to say that bringing this bill to the floor has truly 
been a nonpartisan effort. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. King). I owe great thanks to the gentleman from Oklahoma 
(Mr. Watts), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), and the 
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema), who helped with the 
original bill. I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) as 
well; the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King); and the 
ranking member of the subcommittee and authors of the medal portion of 
this bill. I also want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) and 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) for their assistance in this 
effort. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the staff who 
spent so many hours working on this legislation, in particular my 
legislative director, Pete Leon.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a fitting tribute to the men and 
women who lost their lives on September 11. None of us who represent 
districts in downstate New York were spared constituents, 
unfortunately, who lost their lives. Many of us attended many funerals 
for these constituents. I want to particularly site Christian 
Regenhard, who was a young firefighter in my district, who rushed into 
the World Trade Center to try to save lives. His mother, Sally 
Regenhard, has been a friend of mine for many, many years; and 
Christian, unfortunately, lost his life at the World Trade Center.
  I want to also mention the Richman and Zucker families from Riverdale 
in my district. None of us escaped the personal feelings of 
constituents and friends and loved ones and family who lost their lives 
in the World Trade Center and, of course, as well as the Pentagon and 
in Pennsylvania. I urge all my colleagues to support the passage of 
this bill, and I commend all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
for making this truly a team effort.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
yielding me this time; and particularly I am pleased to join my 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), in support of the 
True American Heroes Act. Actually, I just am coming in from New York, 
having toured yet again Ground Zero.
  This legislation combines a bill that the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. King) and I were able to get through the House last December that 
would present gold medals to emergency rescuers who perished at the 
World Trade Center with legislation put forth by the gentleman from 
Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) to 
create a Spirit of America coin, as well as suggestions for honoring 
rescuers at the Pentagon and the brave passengers who wrestled Flight 
93 to the ground in Pennsylvania.
  More than 10 months after September 11, the pain from that day has 
not begun to fade for my constituents in New York. While we have 
cleaned up the site and begun to focus on rebuilding, no New Yorker can 
walk past a firehouse or see a police car race through the city without 
being reminded of this incredible horror that happened and the 
incredible heroism displayed by 343 firefighters, 37 Port Authority 
police, and 23 New York City police who gave their lives to save the 
lives of others.
  In my own district, 25 different fire stations lost people in the 
attack. One firehouse in my district on Roosevelt Island had the 
special operations unit, and it lost 10 men. The loss was so great from 
this facility and others because of a duty change which was in 
progress, so men who were finishing a shift grabbed their equipment and 
headed to the scene. As a result, twice as many perished as would have 
otherwise.
  At Ground Zero, on September 12, we heard estimates that as many as 
20,000 people had perished. We now know that thanks to the heroic work 
of the rescue workers the death toll was under 3,000 because these 
rescue workers charged up into the towers to save as many strangers as 
they could. From the moment the plane struck the towers, from all over 
the city and surrounding areas rescuers poured out of firehouses and 
precinct houses and reacted without regard for their own safety. They 
were cops, firemen, EMTs, and other public servants.
  This legislation lets us honor these men and women who died so that 
others could live. Thousands of families are missing members after 10 
months, but perhaps the best reason to pass this bill is that tens of 
thousands of families are not. As New York and the world watched in 
horror as the planes struck and the towers were engulfed, these 
individuals honored by this bill thrust themselves toward danger 
without a second thought. They are true American heroes.
  In the past, the Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to honor 
contributions to America for outstanding individuals and groups. The 
True American Heroes Act will award Congressional Gold Medals to brave 
rescuers who perished in the attack. What better way to pay tribute 
than to award these families the most distinguished honor bestowed by 
Congress.
  This legislation also designates that the individual precinct houses, 
firehouses, and emergency response stations that lost people in the 
attack will receive copies of the gold medal.
  As you pass the firehouses and precincts in New York, the emotion of 
this tragedy is still overpowering. This legislation will ensure that 
we will forever have public displays around the city to preserve the 
memory of those rescuers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
  The offices of the Mayor, the Governor of New York, and the head of 
the Port Authority will also be awarded copies of the medals. As we all 
know, the head of the Port Authority himself, my friend Neil Levin, was 
lost in the attack. Neil was serving as the executive director of the 
Port Authority, the agency that ran the World Trade Center for 28 
years.
  In addition to the gold medals, the U.S. Mint will make bronze 
reproductions of the medals available to the general public. The bill 
also awards medals to the exceptional brave passengers who battled the 
hijackers of Flight 93. They saved an untold number of lives and, quite 
possibly, the very building in which we are now standing.
  Finally, the bill is much improved with language provided by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts)

[[Page H5026]]

and my fellow colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel). 
Together, they worked over the past 10 months to create an official 
U.S. Mint coin to commemorate September 11. This Spirit of America Coin 
is a highly appropriate remembrance for this solemn occasion. I thank 
them for their important contributions to the legislation.
  I also thank very much my colleague and counterpart, the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology, and Economic 
Growth, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), who has worked on this 
legislation tirelessly; and we all owe a deep debt of gratitude to him.
  New York is thankful to all of the Members of this House who have 
responded to the City of New York in its time of need. We thank you so 
much for the 20-plus billion dollars in rescue aid and rebuilding aid; 
and we thank you, hopefully, for your support for this legislation.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, let me again thank the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Maloney) for the tremendous cooperation she has given 
throughout this process. We also thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Engel) for working so closely with us and combining the two pieces of 
legislation. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella) 
for his very moving remarks here today, and, of course, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Israel) for the job he has done today and for the 
terrific job he has done since September 11 in working with the many 
victims' families in his district and working closely with me with the 
victims' compensation fund.
  I would also like to say on a personal note, Mr. Speaker, in my own 
district there were more than 150 constituents who were killed on 
September 11. There were a number of friends and neighbors. I would 
like to point out just several in my own community. Firefighter Tim 
Haskell and his brother, Fire Captain Tom Haskell.
  Also, I would like to point out Police Lieutenant John Perry, who, 
ironically, was actually putting in his retirement papers at the moment 
that the World Trade Center was hit. He took his papers back, went 
across the street, took part in the rescue effort and was killed.
  I would also like to commend firefighters Michael Boyle and David 
Arce, both of whom were very active in my campaigns and worked with me 
for many years. They, though, are just typical of so many of the 
firefighters, police officers, and civilians who died that day doing 
what they were paid to do, to save others, to do their job, and to 
really symbolize the very best of America.
  So on that note, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the House to adopt this 
legislation as a fitting tribute to those who died that day and also as 
a fitting tribute to the survivors who are carrying the fight forward; 
and also, I think, as a symbol of the unity that our country has shown 
since September 11 in working with the President and both parties, in a 
bipartisan way, standing together to win the war against terrorism.
  So, again, I urge adoption of the legislation. I certainly hope that 
it will be passed readily in the other body so that it can be signed by 
the President by September 11 as a fitting tribute to what occurred on 
September 11 as far as those who demonstrated such bravery, and the 
country itself for the way it showed such resolve and unity.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Fossella), the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), and 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for their bipartisanship work 
on this bill.
  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the True 
American Heroes Act. The men and women who died on September 11th 
serving our country by saving lives deserve not only our immense 
gratitude, but also the highest of honors. Today, we look to pass 
important legislation to recognize--and remember--these true American 
heroes.
  In our darkest hours on September 11th, the heroes in our midst 
shined brighter than ever. We know some heroic endeavors that were 
undertaken from stories about cell phone calls and from eyewitness 
accounts.
  Let us recognize the men and women who served us in our most horrific 
hours in several ways. First, the True American Heroes Act awards the 
heroes of Flight 93 and the rescue workers who were killed in the 
Pentagon and World Trade Center Congressional Gold Medals. These medals 
express the public gratitude of the Nation for their extraordinary 
actions.
  Additionally, this bill incorporates part of a bill I introduced 
allowing the families of the victims to have a tangible expression of 
the Nation's gratitude with the Spirit of America coin. This coin will 
commemorate the spirit and the lives of those who were killed at the 
World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93.
  I would like to recognize several of these outstanding individuals.


                       united airlines flight 93

  The True American Heroes Act awards Congressional Gold Medals to all 
passengers on United Airlines Flight 93. One of my constituents, Jeremy 
Glick called his wife Lyzbeth from that flight, alerting her that his 
plane had been hijacked. Jeremy was part of the fearless effort by 
passengers and crew to stop the terrorists from taking the plane into 
the heart of Washington, DC.
  From his cell phone conversation, we know that Jeremy along with 
other passengers and crew chose to fight the terrorists who had 
commandeered the plane. At 10:37 a.m., United Flight 93 crashed in 
Pennsylvania, just minutes after the White House and the Capitol 
Building had been evacuated.
  Always a hero to his wife, his family and his friends, Jeremy Glick 
became a hero to the Nation that day. Today, this House formally 
recognizes his contribution and all of the heroes aboard Flight 93.


the fallen heroes of the world trade center and pentagon rescue efforts

  This bill also recognizes the bravery of the many firefighters, 
police officers, and rescue workers who died in Lower Manhattan and the 
Pentagon. The families of these heroes too will be awarded a 
Congressional Gold Medal for their loved one's actions. Many of these 
men and women were from the 5th District. For example:

  Dana Hannon of Wyckoff, New Jersey, was a 29-year-old, newly-engaged 
member of the New York City Engine Company #28, who responded to the 
reports of a plane crash at the north and south towers of the World 
Trade Center.
  Paul Laszczynski of Paramus was a Port Authority police officer who 
was honored for his action during the first attack on the World Trade 
Center. He and a colleague carried a wheelchair-bound victim down 77 
floors to safety after the bombing in 1993.
  Joe Navas of Paramus was a 44-year-old Port Authority police officer. 
In his hometown of Paramus he volunteered as a Little League Coach for 
his two boys. His wife and family had to learn about his earlier heroic 
exploits by reading it in the Bergen Record.
  The example set by these outstanding individuals is not unique. Our 
fire departments and emergency services are the first on the scene to 
fires, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, hazardous waste 
spills, and, yes, even terrorist attacks.
  And they never draw attention to themselves. In their minds, they are 
``just doing their jobs. . . .'' That Tuesday, their work and their 
courage brought them into the building lobbies as people flooded out 
into the streets. These men and women ran up the stairs while 
instructing people to immediately get down those same stairs and 
outside. They ran to help as others ran to safety. Their efforts will 
never be forgotten, especially by those who were saved.


                          true american heroes

  Mr. Speaker, the men and women that we honor today died fighting 
selflessly against those who hate all that our country stands for. But 
our country's strength goes beyond these men and women.
  This bill also honors with commemorative coins all those who were 
killed in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon--the men and women 
who were simply doing their jobs. These men and women were citizens and 
workers who played an integral role in our country's financial markets 
and national defense. As proud Americans in their work, they were 
killed for what they stood for. But their spirit will triumph overall. 
As President Reagan said in his first Inaugural Address, ``we must 
realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is 
so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It 
is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a 
weapon that we as Americans do have.
  In the days immediately following September 11th, I spoke with many 
people who lost friends, coworkers, or even casual acquaintances in the 
World Trade Center. They wanted to do so much to help, and also wanted 
something to share in the memory of their friends. This legislation 
makes the Spirit of

[[Page H5027]]

America coins available to all Americans. The inspiration and spirit of 
those who died that day will reach beyond the families and across 
America with a physical reminder of these heroes of September 11th.
  Although these medals and coins will not relieve the sorrow of the 
families of these victims, I hope that they will take comfort in the 
fact that their loved ones will not be forgotten. I strongly urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  God Bless America.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5138, the 
True American Heroes Act which will bestow Congressional Gold Medals to 
government workers who selflessly responded to the terrorist attacks in 
New York and Washington on September 11, 2001 and were killed as a 
result of their heroics. This Resolution also requires the Secretary of 
the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Spirit of America, 
recognizing the tragic events of September 11th.
  On that tragic day in September, our Nation witnessed the best and 
the worst of humanity. The despicable and cowardly terrorist acts were 
valiantly countered with the incredible heroism and courage of not only 
our firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency personnel but 
also our fellow citizens.
  Accordingly, it is incumbent upon our Nation to appropriately honor 
these departed heroes. Bestowing the Congressional Gold Medals on these 
deserving men and women is a fitting tribute to their memory and their 
contribution to our Nation's freedom. Accordingly, I urge my fellow 
colleagues to support this important measure.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for bringing 
this bill to the floor. The bill before us posthumously awards 
Congressional Goal Medals to government workers and others who 
responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and 
perished and to people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped 
resist the hijackers. Last year, I introduced a similar bill for the 
crew and passengers of Flight 93, and since have worked with Mr. Engel 
on his Spirit of America Coin Bill to award to families who lost loved 
ones in the attacks. I especially want to thank Mr. Engle and his staff 
for their tireless effort on that piece of legislation.
  Earlier today, we passed a bill to create a memorial for Flight 93. 
It is widely presumed that the terrorists who took control of United 
Airlines Flight 93 intended to use the aircraft as a weapon and crash 
it into the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC. From what 
we have been able to find out, upon learning from cellular phone 
conversations with their loved ones, that 3 hijacked aircraft were used 
as weapons against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the 
passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 recognized the 
potential danger and took heroic and noble action to ensure that the 
aircraft they were aboard could not be used as a weapon. In the 
ultimate act of selfless courage and supreme sacrifice, the crew and 
passengers of United Airlines Fight 93 fought to recapture the flight 
from the terrorists and prevented further catastrophic loss of life.
  This same selfless act was demonstrated by the emergency workers, and 
other employees of State and local government agencies, including the 
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the United States 
Government who gave their lives in responding to the attacks, working 
to save the lives of others.
  I am pleased that we have the bill before us today that not only 
honors those who gave their lives, with a Congressional Gold Medal, but 
also provides the opportunity for all Americans, with the authorization 
of a Spirit of America Coin, to hold the tragic events of September 11 
as a reminder of the sacrifices made my not only those who serve and 
protect our country, but to all citizens who live in--and believe--in 
this country that is freedom.
  As President Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, ``We here 
highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, that the 
Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that 
government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not 
perish from the Earth.''
  I thank my colleagues for bringing this legislation to the floor and 
urge its adoption.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5138, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________