RELEASE: On 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks, Gottheimer Honors the Fallen of North Jersey

Above: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

NEW JERSEY — Today, Friday, September 11, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in the 25th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in Mahwah and Hackensack to honor North Jersey community members and first responders who lost their lives in the horrific attacks, commemorating those lost since, and recommitting to protecting America from extremism and terror.

Nearly 3,000 people 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 9,000 first responders and others who were in and around the World Trade Center have died as a result of toxic exposure. 

See Gottheimer’s full remarks here.

“Out of the worst morning in this country’s history, we decided to be loud, united, and unafraid. That’s the Jersey I know, and the America I strive for,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “A place where our memory and our pride outlast our fear. A place where every one of the neighbors we lost that day will never, ever be forgotten. We will never forget.”

Gottheimer was joined by Mayor Caseen Gaines, Deputy Mayor Agatha Toomey, Councilman Roberto Diaz, Councilwoman Sonya Clark-Collins, Councilman Philip Carroll, City Manager Thomas Freeman, Fire Chief Keith Rosazza, Police Chief Michael Antist.

Over the past year, Gottheimer served as co-chair of the bipartisan House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence review of the 9/11 Commission Report. Last week, the committee released its bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force Report, that lays out twenty bipartisan recommendations for the Intelligence Community to protect against the new and emerging threats — including faster information sharing between agencies, adopting AI to stay ahead of our enemies, and deeper partnerships with our state, local, and private-sector partners to fight terror.

Gottheimer also introduced legislation with Rep. Stefanik to ensure that 9/11 education is taught in every classroom in America; today, just 25 states have requirements on the books. Of those who are between the ages of 18 and 24, none of whom were alive on 9/11, 60% first learned about 9/11 in class or through school assignments.

Gottheimer also recently clawed back $5 million to my district for local and state police for counterterrorism equipment to prevent tragedy and be ready in case one does happen.

And this week, he also introduced a resolution with the entire Jersey House Congressional delegation to honor the service and sacrifice of Jersey first responders on 9/11.

Last 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, especially those exposed on and after 9/11, can get access to preventative tests, including multi-cancer early detection tests. 

Below: Gottheimer commemorates the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks.

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