[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1689-E1690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 2982

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                               speech of

                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2002

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2982 authorizing the establishment of 
a memorial within the District of Columbia to the victims of terrorist 
attacks on the United States.
  Words are generally inadequate to give voice to the loss we suffered 
on September 11, 2001. Today, we will try to leave a more worthy token.
  The enormity of what happened last year is still difficult to grasp, 
especially to those of us in the communities most directly affected. 
The

[[Page E1690]]

scope of the casualty list is particularly overwhelming when 
considering each individual that was taken from us. Each had a name, a 
face, a family, a personality, a legacy that they have left behind.
  Susan Conlon said goodbye to her 6-year-old daughter, Kimberly, 
before going to work that day in the World Trade Center, in an office 
she had occupied for less than 3 months. Robert Curatolo was a newlywed 
who charged into danger as one of all too many firemen that never 
returned that day. Vassill Haramis was a hero of the 1993 WTC bombing, 
an engineer who loved working there as he had since the 1970's, not 
long after coming to this country.
  These stories, times a thousand and more, can only begin to trace the 
outline of the victims of the 9-11 attacks. I offer them as examples 
from my own district of heartbreaking losses.
  I believe what we are proposing today will be an eloquent testament 
to the memory of the victims. By acting today, while the memory of that 
terrible day has not yet faded, we can be sure future generations will 
have a better understanding of the victims and heroes of September 
11th, and their legacies will never be forgotten.

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