[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
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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.
____________________