[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING DEBRA BROWN STEINBERG

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                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. WEINER. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the incredible work of 
Debra Brown Steinberg.
  Ms. Steinberg has been an uncompromising advocate for the families of 
the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade 
Center. She was quick to action taking an integral role in creating the 
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest 9/11 Project in early October 
2001. She also drafted the New York City Bar Association's comments for 
the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund which was vital in creating the 
fund. This fund delivered a total of $7 billion to family members of 
the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
  But her work did not end there. For the last 6 years she has 
continued to care for the families of those who were lost. She has 
worked tirelessly for the family members of the victims who could not 
mourn freely--the widows and orphans of the victims who were immigrants 
on 9/11. Today in New York City there are 9/11 widows and orphans who 
fear going to the World Trade Center site because they may be 
identified for deportation.
  Ms. Steinberg speaks often with these families offering them her 
legal expertise. She used this expertise to help draft the September 11 
Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act, H.R. 1071. This bill 
gives Congress the tools to provide legal immigration status to the 9/
11 victim's family members. It grants permanent resident status to the 
spouses and children of undocumented immigrants who died on 9/11. To 
qualify these families must have been beneficiaries of the September 
11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Ms. Steinberg continues to push 
for its passage by consistently offering her talent and passion to our 
offices.
  Her selfless and persistent efforts have given these families, 
victims of 9/11, comfort and hope that they will be able to soon grieve 
and live without fear. As I recognize her work today I hope we can 
honor it by passing the September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and 
Patriotism Act.

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