[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING DEBRA BROWN STEINBERG

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I wish to recognize Debra 
Brown Steinberg for receiving an Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the 
National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations. This award acknowledges her 
work representing immigrants whose family members died in the September 
11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. 
As a recipient of the award, Debra joins an elite group of 
distinguished Medal of Honor recipients such as Lee Iacocca, former 
Chrysler CEO and author of ``Where Have all the Leaders Gone?'', as 
well as several former U.S. Presidents including Gerald Ford, George 
H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
  Ms. Steinberg, moved with compassion, responded to the attacks by 
playing a vital leadership role in creating the New York Lawyers for 
the Public Interest 9/11 Project in early October 2001. She also played 
an important role in the creation of the 9/11 Victims Compensation 
Fund, which awarded a total $7 billion to family members of individuals 
killed in the 9/11 attacks, by drafting the New York City Bar 
Association's comments on the interim and final regulations for the 
fund. Since that time, she has worked selflessly to ensure that the 
family members of victims of 9/11 are cared for.
  Nearly 6 years after the 9/11 attacks, Debra Brown Steinberg is still 
fighting for the families of victims of the terrorist attacks--
specifically immigrants without legal status in the United States who, 
after facing the traumatic loss of a family member on 9/11, now face 
potential deportation. As our Nation continues to mourn the loss of 
friends and family members who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Ms. 
Steinberg has set an example for all of us by helping families that 
have suffered greatly. Her selfless and persistent efforts have given 
these immigrant families hope that one day they will be able to grieve 
freely.
  In addition to her work representing these immigrant families through 
the 9/11 Compensation Fund process, she has helped to draft the 
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act, S. 615, 
which I introduced with Senator Lautenberg on February 15, 2007. This 
legislation would help immigrants whose family members were killed in 
the attacks heal from the tragedy as our Nation continues to do the 
same.
  Our tradition teaches us to have compassion for the widow, the 
orphan, and the stranger among us. Ms. Steinberg's action representing 
the families of immigrant victims of 9/11 exemplifies such compassion.
  We have much to learn from Debra Steinberg, and I am proud to honor 
her achievements before my colleagues in the Senate.

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