Above: Gottheimer visits the future site of the Glen Rock Dog Park that will be dedicated to 9/11 search and rescue dogs.

GLEN ROCK, NJ – Today, Sunday, November 17, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the future site of Glen Rock’s first dog park, which will be dedicated to 9/11 search and rescue dogs. Gottheimer was joined today by Jaime Hazan, a North Jersey 9/11 first responder, advocate, and 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund beneficiary. More than 300 dogs took part in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts at Ground Zero in Manhattan.

The park began as a Girl Scout Gold Award project by Fifth District resident Michelle Hillock. Her mother Eileen was in the South Tower during the 9/11 attack and is now the Board President of the future Glen Rock Dog Park. 

“This project is truly a testament to the Glen Rock community and to Michelle Hillock’s spirit, and how we can all come together, whether it’s through volunteerism or contributions or hard work, to support an important cause,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) today. “We must continue to get the backs of those who bravely had ours and stood up to terrorism on that tragic day. We also remember those we’ve lost since and we remember all the dogs who played such a vital role in the search and rescue efforts. I’m glad we’re honoring them in this way right here in Glen Rock.”

The last living person rescued from Ground Zero, 27 hours after the collapse, was found by a search and rescue dog. The last known 9/11 search and rescue dog was laid to rest in 2016. 

Funds for the park have been raised by the community and the park is being constructed at no cost to the Borough of Glen Rock.

In Congress, Gottheimer was an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation signed into law by the President this year — the Never Forget the Heroes Act — to permanently authorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors’ and first responders’ injuries, lost earnings, benefits, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Co-Chaired by Gottheimer, endorsed the bill earlier this year and called for swift floor passage with bipartisan support.

Gottheimer is also a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation — H.R. 2623, the Search and Rescue Dog Protection Act — to provide search and rescue canine teams the same protections currently given to services animals, which will provide greater convenience in commercial establishments and with travel logistics

Gottheimer was joined on today’s visit by Glen Rock Dog Park Board President Eileen Maher Hillock, Vice President Lisa Schor Babin, Board Members Christine and Jay Ross, fourth generation Glen Rock resident Phil Gulmy of Gulmy Construction, and Brian Houseworth of Jan Fence Company. The park’s vendors have contributed much of their work on a pro bono basis. 

Above: Gottheimer and North Jersey 9/11 first responder and advocate Jaime Hazan (far right) stand with members of the Board of the new Glen Rock Dog Park and park vendors: President Eileen Maher Hillock, Vice President Lisa Schor Babin, Board Members Christine and Jay Ross, fourth generation Glen Rock resident Phil Gulmy of Gulmy Construction, and Brian Houseworth of Jan Fence Company. 

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