Above: Gottheimer in Hackensack today to commemorate the nineteenth anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

HACKENSACK, NJ – Today, Friday, September 11, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a memorial ceremony with the Hackensack Fire Department, commemorating the nineteenth anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks — near their living memorial of a steel beam from the Twin Towers.

Hackensack lost five residents at the World Trade Center: Denise Crant, Shashi-Kiran Kadaba, Srinivasa Shreyas Ranganath, Anil Shivhari Umarkar, and Courtney Wainsworth Walcott.

Since then, Hackensack has lost two firefighters who were helping with rescue efforts at Ground Zero: Rich Kubler and Dennis Walker. 

“With great loss, and in the face of great evil, one thing that those attacks did accomplish was to bring our nation together — especially here in North Jersey — but also countrywide, coming together past any lines that divide us, like party or region. We came together as one community — to love our neighbors and our nation — similar to what we’ve done throughout these past few months, doing everything we can to keep our neighbors safe. Just as we did then, we still stand together in unity today,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “On that morning, our brave first responders ran directly into danger when others ran out. I’m proud that this Congress, Members of both parties put politics aside and supported America’s patriots by passing the Never Forget the Heroes Act and getting it signed into law, so that we can fully get the backs of our 9/11 first responders, survivors, and their families — as they truly deserve.”

Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives from the 9/11 attacks, including more than 400 firefighters, police, and other first responders who ran in to help. Bergen County alone lost 147 residents. Since then, more than 2,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died since that day, as a result of toxic 9/11 exposure. 

Earlier this Congress, Gottheimer helped pass the Never Forget the Heroes Act, a bipartisan bill endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus — which Gottheimer co-chairs — to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits. The bill was signed into law in July 2019.

Below: Gottheimer in Hackensack today to commemorate the nineteenth anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.