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| The 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan. |
Jump below for statements from various politicians remembering Sept. 11. Check the upcoming issue of the Riverdale Review and Bronx Press for coverage of the events from this past week.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.:
“Ten years ago today, 143 Bronxites were among those building employees, first responders and others who perished in the terrorist attacks that struck the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Today I join together with all 1.4 million residents of our borough to mourn their loss and offer comfort to their families.
“I am thankful that the memorial at the former site of the World Trade Center has been completed. It is my hope, on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, that this memorial’s completion will help bring some level of closure to the families of the victims of these attacks.
“In the ten years that have passed since 9/11, we have seen many changes in our City, our nation, and in fact across the world. But one thing that has remained true for the past decade is that we are united as Americans. We may disagree on a variety of issues, but the one bond that holds us together is that we are all part of the same American family. That was true in the weeks and months following 9/11, and that remains just as true today.
State Senator Adriano Espaillat:
“On September 11th, 2001, America became victim to the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history. While the terrorists’ actions personified evil, the ensuing moments, days, and month revealed the great character and unshakable foundation of New York.
“From the fire fighters who rushed into burning buildings when everyone else was running in the other direction, to the volunteers who worked seemingly endless shifts to search for survivors and recover remains, New Yorkers from every corner rose up and answered the call of duty. After the initial response to the attacks, New Yorkers made good on our pledge to come back stronger than ever; building businesses, expanding schools, and continuing the amazing experiment that has made our city, state, and country the envy of the world.
“Today, as we mourn for those who lost their lives on that terrible day – a loss that’s certainly present in my district which is home to dozens of innocent men and women who died during the attacks – we also remember the tremendous courage and commitment to one another that New Yorkers displayed on September 11th, 2011.
“It’s in this spirit that we must move forward, come together, and continue to thrive together in this, the greatest city in the world.”
NYC Comptroller John Liu:
"Ten years later, memories of September 11th remain as frightening and painful as ever. We will never forget those who perished, especially our FDNY, NYPD, and PAPD heroes who so selflessly ran towards the burning World Trade Center. Our world changed forever that day, the devastation leaving emotional scars on us all. In the aftermath of the attacks, the best of our humanity emerged, in the heroism of the first responders, in the outpouring of fellowship even among strangers, and in our steadfast resolve to recover and rebuild. Today, we continue to remember the victims of Sept 11 and remind ourselves of our humanity, knowing that the best is yet to come."
U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel:
"Ten years ago, we were all stunned by the horrors inflicted upon our country by a group of hateful maniacs who sought to murder our fellow citizens. That bright Tuesday morning changed our city, our community, our state, our country and our world. It is hard to believe it was ten years ago that we witnessed the murder of over 3000 innocent people. When I return home to New York, I am always affected by the first sight of Manhattan without the World Trade Center towers. It may have been a decade, but to me it feels like yesterday.
"President Franklin Roosevelt called the attack on Pearl Harbor “a date which will live in infamy.” For this generation, September 11, 2001 is also a day to live in infamy. It will forever be etched in our memories with other days such as the assassinations of JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King Jr. September 11, 2001 was a day where the world witnessed the worst of what mankind can do – commit the senseless murder of the innocent. The terrorists used their hatred to recruit those who have nothing, and as a result, their ambitions to take their ideological war to our shores was fulfilled. However, 10 years later, Osama bin Laden is dead, as are most of his deputies. Many more are on the run. His former second-in-command is awaiting trial. The Arab and Muslim world have begun to rise up and demand freedoms rather than embrace the message of hate.
...
"Sadly, many of them continue to be victims of 9-11 as a result of diseases contracted from exposure to the fumes and debris from the pile. That is why I – along with my fellow New York Congressmembers – fought hard for the passage of the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847). Time has been very unkind to many of the heroes of 9-11. The exposure to toxins, at the site, has left a significant number with severe health issues – including unnaturally high rates of asthma, lung disease, depression, cancer and other ailments. We still don’t fully know the long-term effects of exposure to the toxins from 9/11. The 9-11 Health and Compensation Act provides medical monitoring and treatment to victims exposed at Ground Zero. I would like to see it cover cancer as well, and I will continue to plead the case for the many ongoing victims of 9-11 who suffer from cancer, likely resulting from their exposure at Ground Zero.
"It is in all their names that we mark this day and pledge to never forget this unspeakable tragedy. We also mark this anniversary at a time when news has broken claiming that certain charities either misused the donations made, or were simply frauds who used the generosity of Americans, and one of the greatest tragedies ever to occur on our soil, to make a few dollars. This is deplorable and I have encouraged the Justice Department to prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
"President Franklin Roosevelt called the attack on Pearl Harbor “a date which will live in infamy.” For this generation, September 11, 2001 is also a day to live in infamy. It will forever be etched in our memories with other days such as the assassinations of JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King Jr. September 11, 2001 was a day where the world witnessed the worst of what mankind can do – commit the senseless murder of the innocent. The terrorists used their hatred to recruit those who have nothing, and as a result, their ambitions to take their ideological war to our shores was fulfilled. However, 10 years later, Osama bin Laden is dead, as are most of his deputies. Many more are on the run. His former second-in-command is awaiting trial. The Arab and Muslim world have begun to rise up and demand freedoms rather than embrace the message of hate.
...
"Sadly, many of them continue to be victims of 9-11 as a result of diseases contracted from exposure to the fumes and debris from the pile. That is why I – along with my fellow New York Congressmembers – fought hard for the passage of the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847). Time has been very unkind to many of the heroes of 9-11. The exposure to toxins, at the site, has left a significant number with severe health issues – including unnaturally high rates of asthma, lung disease, depression, cancer and other ailments. We still don’t fully know the long-term effects of exposure to the toxins from 9/11. The 9-11 Health and Compensation Act provides medical monitoring and treatment to victims exposed at Ground Zero. I would like to see it cover cancer as well, and I will continue to plead the case for the many ongoing victims of 9-11 who suffer from cancer, likely resulting from their exposure at Ground Zero.
"It is in all their names that we mark this day and pledge to never forget this unspeakable tragedy. We also mark this anniversary at a time when news has broken claiming that certain charities either misused the donations made, or were simply frauds who used the generosity of Americans, and one of the greatest tragedies ever to occur on our soil, to make a few dollars. This is deplorable and I have encouraged the Justice Department to prosecute them to the full extent of the law.
"A great deal has happened in America and throughout the world in the last ten years, but for me, and most New Yorkers, the memories from September 11, 2001 are still fresh and vivid. Let us always have a place in our minds and hearts for what happened that day, and make sure we never see another 9-11."
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