[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23597-23599]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING EFFORTS TO CREATE A FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 795) honoring the people of Shanksville, 
Pennsylvania, and the Flight 93 Ambassadors for their efforts in 
creating the Flight 93 temporary memorial and encouraging the 
completion of the National Park Service Flight 93 National Memorial by 
the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 795

       Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the passengers and crew of 
     United Flight 93 courageously gave their lives, thereby 
     thwarting a planned attack on our Nation's Capital;
       Whereas the Flight 93 crash site is a profound national 
     symbol of American patriotism and spontaneous leadership of 
     citizen heroes;
       Whereas the people of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, came 
     together as a community to protect the sacred ground and 
     construct a temporary memorial where Flight 93 crashed on 
     September 11th;
       Whereas the Flight 93 Ambassadors, created by members of 
     the Shanksville community after the tragic events of 
     September 11th, have exhibited selfless dedication and 
     leadership by preserving and recounting the heroic story of 
     the brave intervention of the passengers and crew against the 
     terrorists to the memorial's visitors; and
       Whereas in large part due to the efforts of the community 
     and Flight 93 Ambassadors, Congress authorized the creation 
     of a permanent national memorial as part of the National Park 
     System under Public Law 107-226, the Flight 93 National 
     Memorial Act: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, community and 
     Flight 93 Ambassadors for--
       (A) their foresight, dedication, and leadership in 
     protecting the Flight 93 temporary memorial, the preservation 
     and sharing of the heroic story of the brave intervention of 
     the passengers and crew against terrorists; and
       (B) their efforts to establish a permanent national 
     memorial to Flight 93; and
       (2) encourages the Secretary of the Interior and the 
     National Park Service to complete the Flight 93 National 
     Memorial, as authorized by the Flight 93 National Memorial 
     Act, by the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. 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 resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 795, introduced last 
week by my colleague Representative Bill Shuster, honors the people of 
Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Eight years ago, the town of Shanksville 
entered

[[Page 23598]]

the history books in a tragic way. But since that dreadful day, the 
community, working with the Flight 93 ambassadors, has protected the 
temporary Flight 93 Memorial and pressed to establish a permanent 
national memorial to that plane's heroic passengers.
  House Resolution 795, Madam Speaker, recognizes those valiant efforts 
and encourages the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park 
Service to complete the Flight 93 National Memorial by the 10th 
anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
  Madam Speaker, we support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank the gentlelady from Guam for her support on resolution 795. 
On the morning of September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was 
hijacked by al Qaeda terrorists, but their evil plan was heroically 
derailed when the brave passengers and crew aboard that flight 
performed the first counterattack in the war on terror. They fought 
back. They sacrificed their lives so that others could live.
  Madam Speaker, today we have a pretty good idea of what the 
terrorists intended to use Flight 93 for, an attack on Washington, 
D.C., and most likely the Capitol Building itself. The fact that the 
passengers and the crew ultimately crashed Flight 93 in Shanksville 
saved the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of tourists, staff and 
Members of Congress who were in the building on that day. I was in the 
Capitol Complex that morning, and I know many of my colleagues serving 
today were here and are grateful for the passengers and crew of Flight 
93.
  The complete sacrifice made by those brave men and women who did an 
extraordinary thing in the face of an extraordinary circumstance 
deserves to be remembered and honored. Since that fateful day 8 years 
ago, the hallowed ground of the crash site has been visited by 
thousands of Americans from across the country to pay tribute to the 
memory of those extraordinary Americans.
  Since the attacks, the people of Shanksville and Somerset County have 
come together to protect the crash site and welcome visitors to their 
community. Along with the Flight 93 ambassadors, tremendous progress 
has been made toward establishing a permanent memorial at the crash 
site, ensuring that their heroic story lives on and inspires current 
and future generations of Americans.
  Eight years have passed since the 9/11 attacks, and we are encouraged 
by the progress that has been made towards completing the official 
national memorial to Flight 93. I am proud to sponsor this resolution 
which calls on the Secretary of the Interior to complete the 
congressionally authorized memorial in Shanksville by the 10th 
anniversary of 9/11.
  While we will never be able to repay the heroes of that infamous day, 
it is our hope that with this memorial, their sacrifice will be 
permanently recorded, and the site of their passing will forever be 
guarded for all to pay tribute.
  I appreciate the opportunity to offer this resolution, and again, I 
thank my colleagues for their support.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Guam.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 795. This legislation of 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania honors the people of Shanksville, 
Pennsylvania, and the Flight 93 ambassadors for creating a temporary 
memorial for the passengers of United Flight 93 and urges the National 
Park Service to complete a national memorial.
  The men and women onboard Flight 93 prevented a fourth attack on 
September 11, 2001, against American citizens. Arming themselves with 
whatever they could find, they prevented the hijackers from mounting a 
potentially disastrous attack on a target in Washington, D.C. Without 
their sacrifice, it's very possible that many of us and the building in 
which we stand would not be here today. It's almost certain that many 
other innocent civilians would have died.
  Of those brave souls onboard Flight 93, 18 of them were from New 
Jersey, including two from the 12th Congressional District, which I 
have the privilege to represent. One of those heroes was Todd Beamer, a 
respected businessman from Cranbury, New Jersey. He was a man of deep 
religious faith, a loving father, a caring and devoted husband to his 
wife, Lisa. And it was his famous phrase, ``Let's roll,'' that helped 
inspire our Nation to meet his high standard of shared sacrifice and to 
remind Americans in those dark days following September 11 that America 
would not just survive but America would prevail against hate and 
extremism.
  Lisa and Todd Beamer's children David, Drew and Morgan Kay will grow 
up knowing their father's act of valor saved the lives of others. He 
will always be remembered as a hero, along with his fellow passengers.
  Richard Guadagno was another amazing passenger on Flight 93. Raised 
in Trenton, Richard was the manager of the Humboldt Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge in California, a truly outstanding person. He was on 
his way back to Eureka, California, after visiting his family in New 
Jersey and attending his grandmother's 100th birthday party. He too 
made the ultimate sacrifice.
  I have long supported and worked to get funding for a national 
monument honoring the passengers and crew of Flight 93. People will be 
able to find inspiration as they look at this memorial and reflect on 
the essence of America, that Americans are willing to sacrifice much to 
protect each other even in the face of mortal danger. It will remind us 
that this is not the last time America will need heroes, that the 
survival of American ideals depends on ordinary people stepping out of 
their roles to act in ways that are extraordinary and courageous.
  I strongly support this resolution and urge the National Park Service 
to complete this memorial by the 10th anniversary of that terrible day.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time 
and commend my colleagues from Pennsylvania and New Jersey for this 
very thoughtful resolution. I would also like to speak to the previous 
resolution that just passed the House, establishing National Estuaries 
Day in recognition of these other beautiful and valued places across 
our country.
  Our Nation's estuaries are essential to our economy, jobs, our 
hobbies and our culture. Estuaries are the vital links between our 
coastal ecosystems. They are the unique places where rivers and oceans 
meet, and their irreplaceable wetlands provide unmatched recreational 
opportunities and millions of jobs in tourism, fishing and other 
coastal industries.
  This is especially true in my hometown of Tampa, Florida, where Tampa 
Bay provides the lifeblood and character of my community. A significant 
share of the Tampa Bay area's economy is dependent on our healthy 
estuary, and the same is true all across the United States, as 28 
million jobs are supported through commercial and recreational fishing, 
boating, tourism, and other coastal industries. Coastal economies and 
estuaries contribute more than $800 billion annually in trade and 
commerce in our great country.
  September 26 marked National Estuaries Day, an interagency campaign 
led by NOAA. Since 1988, NOAA has promoted the importance of estuaries 
and the need to protect them. So this year was the first time that we 
introduced a resolution to recognize these important educational and 
recreational events all across the country. Events occurred in North 
Carolina, in Florida, in Louisiana, in California. These celebrations 
ranged from the planting of

[[Page 23599]]

seed grasses, the protection of marine mammals and other species.
  Estuary groups from across the country also met here in the Capitol 
with representatives from NOAA, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
Environmental Protection Agency.
  Madam Speaker, Pat Conroy's new novel, ``South of Broad,'' contains 
elegant descriptions of estuaries that speak to everyone who values 
their beauty and riches. Conroy writes: ``A freshwater river let 
mankind drink and be refreshed, but a saltwater river let it return to 
first things, to moonstruck tides, the rush of spawning fish, the love 
of language felt in the rhythm of the wasp-waisted swells.''
  He says: ``The tide is a poem that only time could create, and I 
watched its stream and brim and make its steady dash homeward to the 
ocean.'' It is difficult to capture the beauty and value of many of 
America's national treasures, so we ask the House today to set aside a 
day to raise awareness and educate others about estuaries, and getting 
people excited about the natural beauty to be found there.
  I thank my colleagues for voting today in support of these goals and 
ideals.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I commend the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for this important resolution, and I thank 
him for managing the resolutions this afternoon on the floor. Again, I 
urge my colleagues to support this very important resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the H. Res. 795. The legacy of the events of September 11, 2001 still 
resonates today. We will never forget the harrowing experience of the 
loss of more than 3,000 lives that marked this national tragedy. We 
will never forget the events of that day, nor those who paid the 
ultimate price. We will forever remember how the country suffered 
profound sadness, the likes of which we as a nation hope to never 
experience again.
  Madam Speaker, I recall vividly the intense emotions evoked as the 
attacks unfolded. The Nation watched in horror as two airliners crashed 
into the Twin Towers and brought down the World Trade Center. That 
horror intensified as we witnessed an attack on the Pentagon--and a 
crashed airplane in Pennsylvania. Horror turned to anger as it came to 
light that the attacks were the actions of hate-filled cowards who had 
no respect for human life. I remember too, that in the aftermath of 
these senseless attacks, we came together as a nation and with friends 
from around the world united in grief and sadness. That moment 
transformed our country and the world, as the resolve of our Nation 
strengthened and our principles hardened.
  We remember the heroes from that day; those who ran into the danger, 
sacrificing themselves to save strangers. We remember the heroes from 
United Flight 93 who overpowered the terrorists and gave their own 
lives to prevent the deaths of countless others. We hope that their 
families can take some small measure of comfort knowing that Americans 
have made a permanent place for those heroes in our hearts.
  As a Senior Member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security 
Committees, I believe that we must continue to honor the fallen by 
working to prevent needless deaths. In the years since September 11, 
2001, Congress has worked hard to make sure that such a tragedy will 
never happen again. In large part, we have taken heed of the advice of 
the 9/11 Commission and built a strong system to prevent future 
attacks.
  Madam Speaker, I rise before this body to say that our work is not 
yet done. Our Nation's rail and mass transit lines continue to be 
vulnerable. Millions of Americans rely on our rail and mass transit for 
transportation. Terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2006 
indicate that transportation routes continue to be potential security 
threats. We must not let another tragedy occur.
  Preventing terrorism at home begins with addressing terrorism abroad. 
We must engage nations that are susceptible to the influence of 
extremists and arm them with the tools to fight radicalism. That means 
not only providing weapons of war but also increasing education, 
improving living conditions, and increasing the capacity to govern. The 
struggle against terrorism will be won in the hearts and minds of 
people around the world.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 
722. Let us remember this day and the tragedy that befell the Nation by 
properly honoring the victims with our renewed commitment to America's 
security.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 795.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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