[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, next week we'll be 
celebrating the 6th anniversary of the terrible attacks that happened 
on September 11 in New York, here in the Washington area, the Pentagon 
and in Pennsylvania.
  While we remember those that we lost, I hope that we also reflect on 
how our Nation, and especially this Congress, came together during the 
weeks and months that followed that terrible, terrible day.
  Following 9/11, we, as Americans, demonstrated the best of all of us. 
Thousands volunteered to help with the rescue and recovery efforts on 
Ground Zero. Scores more donated money, gave blood, took time to help 
people that they didn't even know. Millions prayed for the families of 
those that lost loved ones. It was a remarkable time. People from all 
walks of life stood together with a renewed sense of purpose and 
compassion.
  While we remember those we lost on this anniversary of September 11, 
let's also remember how we came together to help get America through 
perhaps the most difficult time in our history. Let's remember the 
firefighters, the police officers, the union workers who risked their 
lives to save others. Let's remember the families who lost loved ones 
on 9/11, who became advocates for commonsense laws down here in 
Washington that would prevent another tragedy from happening. These 
courageous men and women worked tirelessly so that other families 
wouldn't experience what they went through.
  As each year passes, the needs of those affected by 9/11 change. We 
work with a number of families back on Long Island in my district, 
especially the children, that still need mental health care. We need to 
improve the health care for the recovery workers who put their lives on 
the line and are now suffering from illnesses. And local residents, it 
is still paramount in our minds to make sure that they stay healthy.
  The long-term mental health of families and children who lost loved 
ones maintains its high importance. Most people will remember it as 
being post-traumatic syndrome. One never knows when those flashes of 
that day come back. Sometimes it takes years and years for the 
treatment to take hold.
  The Fourth Congressional District, I want to salute such groups as 
the South Nassau Communities Hospital and the World Trade Center Family 
Center that have been working hard to address the mental health needs 
of the children affected by 9/11 and have made great progress in 
helping them cope with this horrible tragedy.
  In my office, I have a painting that was done several years ago by a 
young child on how they saw the world. And through therapy, you can now 
see the paintings have improved with the sun shining, meaning the young 
child is getting on with their life. Their work is equally as important 
as the search and recovery efforts following the attacks, and I commend 
them for it.
  On September 11, 2001, our hearts were broken, but our spirits grew 
stronger. On September 11, 2007, I can think of no better memorial to 
those we lost on 9/11 than making their children and grandchildren's 
world a better place.
  Some will say time has passed and it's time to move on with their 
lives. I have worked with many of those 9/11 families, and they have 
moved on with their lives. But again, through every great tragedy one 
never knows when you'll break down and cry because you remember 
something.
  Every American remembers September 11, the year 2001. Every American 
knows where they were that day. Every American came together to make 
sure that those that needed help would have it.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the American people for standing together. I 
thank those that lost their lives to save other lives and, hopefully, 
we will never forget those that made the great sacrifices who still 
need our help. September 11 will be in everybody's minds forever in 
history. Let us not, here in this Congress, forget those that have 
survived but still need our help to get them through the illnesses they 
are facing.

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