[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5152-H5154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NEVER FORGET

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
D'Esposito) for 30 minutes.
  Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special 
Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Madam Speaker, on this date 23 years ago, 246 people 
went to sleep ahead of their morning flights; 2,309 people went to 
sleep in preparation for another routine day at the office; and 343 of 
New York's bravest, 71 of New York's finest, and 8 paramedics went to 
sleep not knowing what their next shift would bring.
  Yet, that Tuesday morning, those of us who were in New York on that 
day remember one of the clearest, bluest, most magnificent skies we 
have laid eyes on.
  When you reflect back on the morning of September 11, 2001, one can't 
help but think about that what seemed a perfect morning. There was a 
beautiful blue sky, the temperatures were perfect, and people were 
beginning their day to what they thought was going to be one of beauty.
  In seconds, that changed because we witnessed one of the greatest 
attacks on American soil in our history. At that moment, not only did 
downtown Manhattan change, not only did the State of New York change, 
not only did the United States of America change, but the world 
changed. We haven't been the same since, nor will we ever be.
  At that moment when we were attacked and so many people ran away from 
the danger, there were men and women who stood in the lobby of those 
buildings, who stood in the surrounding areas, who hopped on rigs in 
firehouses throughout the city of New York, who jumped in patrol cars 
and ESU trucks and made their way to downtown Manhattan, running toward 
the danger, the same way first responders did just miles away at the 
Pentagon and at that field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  They ran toward danger, running up the stairs of our beloved World 
Trade Center, not realizing that they were rising up those stairs only 
to get closer to Heaven because that is where they were headed.
  When those buildings collapsed in downtown Manhattan, again, the 
world changed. Thousands died, but while we saw the very worst in 
humanity as our country was attacked by terrorists, we also saw some of 
the best of the United States of America.

  If you think to the days following the September 11 attacks, you 
couldn't walk into a store and find an American flag because they were 
sold out.
  People lined the West Side Highway in Manhattan, cheering for first 
responders as they made their way to Ground Zero. People were 
patriotic. People were rooting for the United States of America.
  Just this past weekend, I stood in my district, the Fourth 
Congressional District of New York, on Long Island. I stood with former 
Congressman Peter King and our town supervisor there, Don Clavin, 
dedicating a street to a gentleman by the name of Bob Beckwith.
  He became an icon in the days following September 11 because he was 
the gentleman, the city firefighter, who stood on the pile with 
President Bush when President Bush grabbed that megaphone and told the 
first responders on the pile, the ironworkers on the pile, when 
President Bush said to them: ``We hear you. The world hears you.''
  If we think back on those now 23 years, a lot has changed. Tonight 
and tomorrow are an opportunity for us to remember and reflect and to 
think about our friends and our loved ones, our neighbors who died that 
day. It is also an opportunity to honor them.
  Nearly two decades ago when I took my oath to become a member of the 
New York City Police Department, I swore to protect and defend the city 
of New York. I also made a promise in my heart, and it is the same 
promise that many first responders make to themselves when they take 
their oath, and that is to never forget--never forget our brothers and 
sisters who made and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
  Yet, 23 years later, people are forgetting, and that is why I thought 
it was so important this evening to have this Special Order and to 
invite colleagues from both sides of the aisle to talk about not just 
the horrific events of September 11, 2001, but the last 23 years.
  An NYPD detective by the name of Lou Alvarez called the Fourth 
Congressional District home. He was a decorated member of the NYPD, a 
member of the bomb squad. He served our great department during 9/11 
and spent months on that pile, digging for brothers and sisters and 
survivors.
  He contracted 9/11 cancer. Instead of spending his final days at home 
surrounded by loved ones and family, he spent some of his final days 
here on Capitol Hill.
  He was with his family, his friends, his brother and sister police 
officers and firefighters, but he spent it here on Capitol Hill, 
advocating and knowing that in just days, he probably was going to pass 
from this life on to Heaven. He spent his final days here, fighting for 
funding of the 9/11 healthcare bill.
  That is really one of the things that I want to focus on today, and I 
hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle do the same and realize 
that on September 11, 2001, there were 343 members of the FDNY who died 
that day.
  Since September 11, 2001, there have been over 343 more members of 
the FDNY who have died from 9/11-related illnesses.
  On September 11, 2001, 23 of my brothers and sisters from the NYPD 
died that morning. Since September 11, 2001, over 375 more have died.
  You see, this is no longer what was probably referred to 20 years ago 
as a New York, New Jersey, Northeast issue. There are people dying from 
9/11-related illnesses in every State of this country.
  There is no reason that 23 years later, heroes like Lou Alvarez need 
to be spending their final days walking the Halls of Congress, 
demanding funding that they deserve.
  This is not a partisan issue. I have had the honor to work with 
Congressman Garbarino, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and our 
colleagues from New York and New Jersey to continue to push for this 
funding.

                              {time}  2015

  Years back when the funding was first proposed, there were people 
from the budget office, actuaries who said the funding that was 
provided would carry us well to the end of the century.
  They were wrong. They were wrong because more and more people die 
every single day. When I hear from some of our colleagues and staff 
saying, well, year after year, there seems to be less and less of these 
9/11 survivors coming here to fight for the funding. Yes, there are 
fewer because they are dying. They are dying because they were told on 
the days following September 11 that the air was safe to breathe. It 
wasn't safe to breathe, and they are continuing to die.
  Unless Congress acts, the World Trade Center Health Program will have 
to announce in 2027 that responders and survivors who suffer from an 
illness from their heroic service to our country will not be able to 
apply for the program. Unless this body does something, in 2028, the 
program will bar new enrollees and make other anticipated cuts in 
services.
  Tonight, I am not just here to talk about the events of September 11. 
We all know what happened. We know who attacked the United States of 
America. We are thankful for the men and women who not only served this 
body but men and women throughout this country who left the comforts of 
the United States of America to defend our democracy and to fight 
terrorism.
  Tonight, my plea is that we join together. If we all want to say that 
we never forget, well, then, let's never forget, and let's work 
together to fully fund the 9/11 healthcare program.

[[Page H5153]]

  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. 
Malliotakis), my good friend and a great supporter of first responders 
in New York City and throughout New York State.
  Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman D'Esposito for 
bringing us together tonight to honor the 2,977 victims of September 11 
but also the many more who have died since. I thank him for his service 
in the NYPD to the city of New York.
  Madam Speaker, 23 years ago, those of us in New York City experienced 
the 9/11 attacks in a way we will never forget. I was a recent graduate 
commuting to my first job near Union Square in Manhattan when the first 
plane hit the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. We watched in horror as the city 
descended into chaos and first responders rushed in to save lives. Too 
many never returned.
  The attacks shattered our sense of security. ``Never forget'' became 
the rallying cry for our troops entering Afghanistan in pursuit of 
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. We came together to support the recovery 
of our city and heal our country. New York emerged stronger with 
enhanced security, a fortified NYPD, and the creation of the Department 
of Homeland Security.
  Twenty-three years later, we approach a somber reality that more FDNY 
members have passed away from 9/11-related illnesses and cancers than 
from the attack on September 11, 2001.
  I have attended memorials and street namings for heroes who made it 
home on 9/11 only to succumb to it years after.
  I will forever honor our pledge to never forget by working with 
Representatives D'Esposito, Garbarino, and others for our first 
responders and survivors fighting these illnesses by ensuring that 
Zadroga is fully funded and that they receive the healthcare that they 
deserve.
  During my first term, I successfully fought for 3,000 widows and 
children to be fairly compensated by the U.S. Victims of State 
Sponsored Terrorism Fund, something they fought for for over two 
decades. This year, I am proud to work with Congressman Mike Lawler on 
the fund the fund act and ensure that the USVSST leaves no more victims 
out of rightfully owed victims compensation.
  As we mark the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, it is essential to remain 
vigilant. Today, we are a divided Nation with new challenges. 
Afghanistan is again under Taliban control, and thousands of ISIS-K and 
al-Qaida terrorists were released from Bagram Air Base during the 
withdrawal from Afghanistan.
  Our borders are wide open, and law enforcement is stretched 
dangerously thin. On 9/11, the NYPD had 41,000 officers. Today, it has 
only 33,000. According to the latest reports, over 350 suspected 
terrorists have been apprehended at the southern border. ISIS-K-related 
groups have smuggled 400 individuals with terrorist ties into the 
United States.
  We cannot stand by and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We must 
honor those we have lost and prevent even the possibility of another 
attack. We must secure our border. We must make our homeland safe. We 
must prioritize our country's security, strengthen and support our law 
enforcement, and ensure that ``Never Forget'' remains a guiding 
principle, not just a slogan.
  Lastly, this administration has a solemn duty to deliver justice to 
all Americans. That means no plea deal for the 9/11 masterminds. Set a 
trial date, and let's pursue the death penalty.
  Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for 
her comments.
  Yesterday, I was proud to join with Chairman Mark Green of the House 
Homeland Security Committee to lead a bipartisan delegation down to the 
9/11 Memorial and Museum to give our colleagues an opportunity to 
witness and understand what is now Ground Zero. I am thankful that 
Congressman Kennedy joined us.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy).
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman D'Esposito for 
bringing this Special Order to the floor here this evening.
  Today, we gather together to commemorate the deadliest attack on our 
Nation's soil. On the morning of September 11, 2001, extremist al-Qaida 
terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in a plot 
to undermine our Nation's security and our spirit of democracy. As a 
result, 2,977 people did not return home to their loved ones.
  This unspeakable act of terror left a deep scar in the psyche of New 
Yorkers, Americans, and people around the globe.

  In New York, we continue to mourn our native sons and daughters who 
were lost that day and join the Nation in commemorating those lost as 
well as the resilience of a city and Nation that never yielded to the 
terror inflicted upon us.
  We also honor the first responders who were deeply impacted, hundreds 
of whom were killed in the wake of the attack, running selflessly into 
the face of danger as they fought tirelessly to help more people 
escape.
  More than 20 years later, our brave first responders and survivors 
are still combating the severe health complications stemming from their 
heroism on 9/11 and in the weeks and months that followed. Congress 
must continue to support their recovery, and we must do everything in 
our power to stop terrorism at home and abroad.
  We have not forgotten nor will we ever forget the tragic events of 
September 11, 2001. God bless the souls that we lost that day. God 
bless the survivors and the families that have carried on and 
persevered in their loved one's memory, and God bless America.
  Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Kennedy for his words. 
Tomorrow is a truly somber day. It is a day when thousands of families 
will gather at different memorials throughout this country to pay 
tribute to those who were taken from us.
  As we reflect, remember, and pray tomorrow and think about those 
souls, think about the conversations that were had as brave FDNY 
firefighters made their way up the stairs of the North and South 
Towers. Think about the conversations that were had with those 
Americans aboard the flights. Think about the conversations had amongst 
those members of law enforcement, the Port Authority, the NYPD, the 
court officers who were running toward danger when everyone else was 
running away.
  Yesterday, when I visited the 9/11 Memorial, I was reminded of 
something that I think is so critically important about the kind of 
people who these first responders were. You think about New York and 
New Jersey and our law enforcement and fire departments, some of the 
biggest and most renowned in the world. They are also the best trained.
  With that training comes the knowledge of the situation that you are 
dealing with, which tells you that hundreds of the first responders who 
perished on 9/11 had a pretty good idea of exactly what was going to 
happen, but they continued to march toward danger.
  That is one of the reasons as to why this body needs to come together 
to fully fund and pass the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding 
Correction Act of 2024, which will address the funding shortfall and 
ensure that there is adequate funding for years to come.
  The bill updates the funding formula for the World Trade Center 
Health Program, increasing the appropriations to adjust for inflation 
and enrollment changes through 2090. In the short term, it adds $2.9 
billion to the special fund for fiscal year 2024.
  Madam Speaker, this is not a Democratic issue, not a Republican 
issue. This is an American issue and one on which this body needs to do 
the right thing. There are no reasons in this world that heroes like 
Lou Alvarez and Ray Pfeifer, both of whom came from my district, need 
to spend their final days visiting us in our offices, asking for 
funding that we know they deserve.
  On the eve of this day that will live in infamy, I thank my 
colleagues who joined us here this evening. I want to share a message 
with anyone listening and our colleagues on both sides of this House 
that ``Never Forget'' is not just a saying. It is not just a Twitter 
handle. It is not just a hashtag. It is not just something that you put 
on posters on social media. It is a promise.
  If we truly want to never forget, then it is imperative that we put 
our support behind the healthcare funding that these heroes, these 
survivors, these Americans deserve.
  Madam Speaker, I pray that those who died on 9/11 and continue to die 
as

[[Page H5154]]

a result of those terrible attacks may rest in peace and may their 
families expect from all of us to do the right thing because that is 
exactly what we should be doing.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________