RELEASE: In Demarest, Gottheimer Remembers 9/11, North Jersey Lives and First Responders Lost
Above: Gottheimer in Demarest to commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.
DEMAREST, NJ — On the twenty-fourth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a remembrance ceremony in Demarest to honor the members of the North Jersey community and first responders who lost their lives in the horrific attacks, to commemorate the first responders lost since, and to recommit to protecting America from all forms of extremism and terror.
Watch today’s remembrance ceremony here.
Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, including more than 400 firefighters, police, and other first responders. New Jersey lost nearly 750 residents, and Bergen County alone lost 147 residents. Since then, more than 8,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died as a result of toxic exposure.
Today’s event honored friends and family lost at the World Trade Center that day, including Demarest resident Christopher Vialonga.
“It’s hard to believe that today marks twenty-four years since terror struck our homeland that morning in 2001. Twenty-four years since we lost nearly 3,000 Americans — including more than 400 firefighters, police, and other first responders who ran into the towers — true patriots, who, as ever, put others ahead of themselves and their families,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Today, and all days, we honor their memory and their legacy. With great loss, and in the face of great evil, our nation rose from the ashes and came together — especially here in North Jersey, where we will always live in the shadows of those attacks. We must always remember we are all Americans — we are a resilient people.”
Gottheimer was joined by Demarest Mayor Brian Bernstein, Demarest Councilman Daryl Fox, Demarest Councilman Adam J. Collins, Demarest Councilwoman Andrea Slowikowski, Demarest Councilman Jonathan Reiss, Demarest Acting Police Chief Frank Visaggio, Demarest Fire Chief John McLoughlin, first responders, and members of the community.
Today, Gottheimer was appointed to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. The review will evaluate the progress made on the intelligence-related recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission Report, released in July 2004, and identify possible gaps or areas of improvement.
Earlier this year, Gottheimer helped lead the reintroduction of the bipartisan American Victims of Terror Compensation Act, which provides funding for the United States Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, or USVSST Fund. This legislation will help ensure the USVSST consistently provides compensation to more than 18,000 American victims of State Sponsors of Terrorism, including the families of the more than 3,000 victims of September 11th.
Gottheimer helped fight for and pass legislation like the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fully fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families for injuries, medical expenses, and other benefits.
Gottheimer also helped pass the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act, which requires the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial passenger aircraft to prevent terrorist attacks similar to 9/11.
Gottheimer is continuing to fight to pass the bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act to provide federal investments so that all firefighters can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests.
Below: Gottheimer in Demarest to commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.
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