[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMEMORATING SEPTEMBER 11

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                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of NEW YORK

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you and Majority 
Leader Hoyer for introducing this resolution and for honoring the 
memory of those who perished in 9/11, including the nearly 300 men and 
women from my district.
  Many of us lost family and close friends in the attacks. Their 
memories are kept alive through the devotion and steadfast commitment 
of their strong families and kind-hearted friends. 9/11 will never be 
forgotten, but we must continue to recognize not only all who we lost, 
but the bravery of so many on that tragic day.
  We will never forget the tearful wishes of loved ones speaking their 
final goodbyes and comfort to their spouses and children, and we will 
never forget those who heroically ran into the buildings or stayed 
behind to help others.
  In the brutality of those attacks, we saw the heart of the American 
spirit and the bravery of all Americans.
  In particular, I would like to recognize the thousands of emergency 
service workers and volunteers in New York City who rushed to the pile 
to aid the rescue and recovery to save lives, with little care for 
their own health and safety.
  To this day, these brave men and women, which include people like 
Martin Fullam, a 30-year veteran FDNY lieutenant from Staten Island, 
still suffer from medical complications from the air in the days 
following the attack, which was thick with toxic smoke and debris.
  On each anniversary of the attacks, we hear many touching tributes to 
the heroism of the innocent victims of that faithful day and of course, 
the brave men and women who rushed to Ground Zero.
  But, remembering the legacies of those who are no longer with us and 
fulfilling our promises to those who are still here perhaps will be the 
greatest tribute to all to all those affected by this tragedy--both the 
victims and survivors of the worst attack on U.S. soil in the history 
of this great country.
  To all the other first responders who are struggling with 9/11-
related illnesses, I say we will help you.
  To reiterate this significance of this day and of the work that goes 
unfinished, I would like to tell the story of another young man in my 
district by the name of Stephen Siller.
  Stephen was on his way home when he heard on his scanner news of the 
attack on the Trade Center and he immediately turned his car around and 
drove back to Manhattan through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.
  With tunnel traffic at a standstill, Stephen got out of his car, 
strapped on his gear and ran towards the burning towers. He eventually 
met up with his squad members as they rushed into the World Trade 
Center, where he helped save tens of thousands of office workers.
  But sadly, Stephen and his entire squad were never to be seen again. 
Stephen's family and the people of New York City honor his memory and 
bravery with a 5K ``Tunnel to Towers'' run that retraces Stephen's 
steps. Stephen's memory also lives on in the good works the family has 
done by building Stephen's House and Home for orphans.
  So in Stephen's honor, and in respect for the memory of the nearly 
3,000 others murdered on that fateful day nine years ago, I urge my 
colleagues to vote for H. Res. 1610.

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