RELEASE: In Teaneck, Gottheimer Remembers 9/11 & North Jersey Lives and First Responders Lost

Above: Gottheimer in Teaneck to commemorate the twenty-second anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

TEANECK, NJ — Today, on the twenty-second anniversary of the September 11th attacks, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a remembrance ceremony in Teaneck 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, including lone-wolf and ISIS-inspired homegrown terror.

Teaneck lost seven residents at the World Trade Center, including Daniel D.  Bergstein, Fanny M. Espinoza, Gregory Alan Clark, George Ferguson, Jennifer Louise Fialko, Lillian I. Frederick, and Mark Louis Rosenberg.

“With great loss, and in the face of great evil, our nation rose from the ashes and came together across any lines that divide us, party or region — especially here in North Jersey, where we will always live in the shadows of those attacks. Now, let’s take that unity and remember and work as one to form that more perfect union,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “For many, the exposure at the site has brought about cancer and illness — many years later — as if all the tragedy just that one morning was not enough. Thankfully, we have taken steps in Congress, to fight for legislation — and get it signed into law — to provide long-overdue support to cover 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families. We are still fighting for them — and we must — for all of our first responders, and take all critical steps necessary to protect our homeland from terror and others who threaten our democracy and our very way of life.”

Gottheimer was joined by Teaneck Mayor Michael Pagan, Teaneck Deputy Mayor Danielle Gee, Teaneck Councilmember Denise Belcher, Teaneck Councilmember Karen Orgen, Teaneck Councilmember Hilary Goldberg, Teaneck Councilmember Mark Schwartz, and Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur.

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. New Jersey lost 750 residents. Bergen County alone lost 147 residents. Since then, more than 5,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died since, as a result of toxic 9/11 exposure. 

Last year, Gottheimer helped get the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act signed into law, a bipartisan bill to increase compensation payments to thousands of 9/11 victims, spouses, and their dependents who were excluded from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund when it was first established in 2015.

Below: Gottheimer in Teaneck to commemorate the twenty-second anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

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