[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 123 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE GROUND BREAKING OF THE 9/11 MEMORIAL AT SOUTH KING FIRE 
                               AND RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
groundbreaking of the 9/11 Memorial at the South King Fire and Rescue 
Station 64 in Federal Way, Washington. The memorial will include a 
steel beam from the World Trade Center to honor the firefighters, 
police officers, and citizens who lost their lives when terrorists 
coordinated the attacks on September 11, 2001.
  In 2011, Lt. Scott Mahlen and firefighter Sven Schievink drove to New 
York to retrieve the beam. During the 55 hour-long journey, the men 
were supported by friends and fire stations across the country. After 
returning to Federal Way, the community worked for the next year to 
raise money for the memorial.
  The South King Firefighters Foundation plans to finish the memorial 
by September 11, 2013. This project serves as a reminder of how deeply 
the tragedy of 9/11 affected Americans across the country, and the 
steel from this beam represents the strength and resilience of the 
United States in the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize the work of the 
men and women of South King Fire and Rescue to construct a powerful 
memorial for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. When completed, this 
memorial will be an important reminder of those who lost their lives 
and the men and women who continue to protect our country every day.

                          ____________________