[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13204-13205]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DEBRA BROWN STEINBERG

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, the attacks of September 11, 2001, 
certainly had a profound impact on all Americans. In addition to the 
sadness, anger, fear, and, ultimately, resolve, we all felt in the 
aftermath of the attacks, many were also infused with a renewed sense 
of patriotism and fellowship that inspired them to engage in public and 
community service. As we approach the tenth anniversary of this 
terrible tragedy, I would like to honor one individual who answered the 
call to service, and who has done so much to help victims of the 
attack, Debra Brown Steinberg.
  Debra was in New York City on September 11, and from her apartment 
she could see the smoke pouring out from the World Trade Center. As she 
desperately waited for news about her stepson, she made an agreement 
with God: if her stepson would come home safely, she would work to help 
the victims of the attack. Thankfully, her stepson did come home 
safely, and Debra has more than fulfilled her promise.
  Utilizing her sharp legal acumen and more than 30 years of 
professional experience, Debra has become a passionate advocate for the 
families of those who perished in the 9/11 attacks. A partner in the 
respected New York firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, Debra was 
integral in putting together a consortium of law firms that have worked 
together to deliver pro bono services to 9/11 families.

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  Early on, Debra realized that, if her firm was going to give victims 
the assistance they truly needed, they would have to do more than 
simply offer free legal advice. Under her direction, the consortium has 
taken a holistic approach toward assisting the families; not just 
offering counsel, but also seeking to ensure they receive the services 
they need, and lobbying lawmakers and regulators to ensure that all 
victims have access to the Victim Compensation Fund. Debra has also 
represented many victims' families, pro bono, before the fund to ensure 
that they are fairly compensated.
  Perhaps Debra's most amazing work has been her advocacy on behalf of 
some of the most vulnerable victims of the attacks: immigrants who were 
in the country illegally when their relatives were killed during the 
attacks on the World Trade Center. These individuals, as the U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security has put it, ``share with all Americans 
a moment of loss and pain and pride that is now a defining part of our 
national history.'' However, because of their status, they were forced 
to cope with their pain and sadness in isolation, afraid to seek 
assistance or to offer their help for fear of being found out. Our 
Nation cannot help but feel a deep connection and commitment to this 
group.
  Debra has worked tirelessly to assure that we live up to this 
commitment and to enable these victims to participate in rebuilding 
after the attacks. With her guidance, 11 of these spouses and children 
of innocent victims of the attacks have provided assistance to the 
Federal Government in its 9/11 related investigations and prosecutions. 
Debra also successfully represented these families before the Victim 
Compensation Fund to ensure that they received equal consideration. 
Finally, she has fought doggedly to ensure that these families can 
continue to work and live in the United States. Due in great part to 
her work, these family members have so far been able to stay in the 
United States and their cases are now being considered for a temporary 
visa that would allow them to live and work legally in the United 
States. Let us all hope that DHS is able to quickly conduct its review 
so that these families can leave the shadows and rebuild their lives.
  Over the years, my office has had the privilege of assisting Debra in 
her efforts, and I have witnessed firsthand her dedication to assisting 
the families of 9/11 victims. Those she has represented are certainly 
lucky to have had her on their side. Given all that Debra has done, 
it's no wonder that the American Bar Association honored her with the 
prestigious Pro Bono Publico award in 2006. She has also received the 
9/11 Tribute Center Award in 2009 and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor 
in 2007. Her work has also been recognized several times by my 
colleagues here in the Senate, as well as in the U.S. House of 
Representatives and the New York State Legislature.
  Mr. President, I commend Debra Brown Steinberg for her commitment to 
assisting families of 9/11 victims. Her efforts truly personify the 
American values of fairness and patriotism. The U.S. Senate, and the 
American People, owe her our sincerest gratitude.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.

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