[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1845-E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE 
 TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 
                                  2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise to support of H. 
Res. 1420 which honors the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 
the World Trade Cener, the Pentagon, and United Airliines Flight 93. On 
September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people died and thousands of others 
were injured, scarring families and communities across the Nation. The 
tragic events of that day also challenged our long-held sense of 
national security and forever-changed our Nation.
  In the time following September 11, we also saw the best of the human 
spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Americans from all over the 
country banded together and responded to the barbaric attacks with an 
outpouring of support and commitment to the families of 9/11 and to 
each other. Everyday heroes from all 50 States, including at least 308 
from Connecticut and 64 from the Fifth District alone, put their lives 
and health on the line and traveled to New York to assist in the rescue 
and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. Families who lost loved ones on 
that fateful day dedicated their lives to honoring those killed and 
making sure that, as a Nation, we never forget. The Fetchets, from New 
Canaan, Connecticut, are just one example--they lost their son Brad 
during the attacks on the World Trade Center towers, and rather than 
resigning to mourning, they channeled their grief into resolve, 
founding VOICES of September 11th, an organization dedicated to 
advocating for those affected by the events of September 11, 2001.
  Seven years later, with energy and the economy on the forefront of 
everyone's minds, the lessons of 9/11 seem less immediate; but in 
reality, we should draw upon the strength and cooperation our Nation 
showed during that time to solve the economic and national security 
problems we face today, and to ensure that the needs of 9/11 families 
and workers are met. I am proud to say that in 2007 we worked together 
to pass legislation that requires the enactment of the recommendations 
of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, making our Nation safer and more 
secure. As we work to ensure that the new law is fully implemented, we 
must also not forget the thousands of people who still struggle every 
single day as a result of the attacks. As we all know, the collapse of 
the World Trade Center towers released a dangerous cocktail of toxins, 
putting hundreds of area workers, residents, rescue and recovery 
workers, and others in the area around Ground Zero at risk. Numerous 
studies have documented that many of those exposed to the toxins have 
developed lower and upper respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental 
health conditions. With staggering medical bills and the inability to 
work due to illness, many of the heroes of 9/11 are now in severe 
financial distress. The Federal Government has a moral obligation to 
provide them with the care they desperately need and deserve.

[[Page E1846]]

  I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who 
died during the attacks as well as my sympathy and commitment to those 
who are sick as a result. We must remain vigilant in the face of 
terrorism, and, Madam Speaker, we must always remember the events that 
occurred on that tragic day 7 years ago.

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