House Expected to Pass Nadler WTC Memorial Resolution

Congress Takes First Step Regarding Establishing a National Memorial
to Commemorate the World Trade Center Attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today considered a resolution authored by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08) that recognized, for the first time, the importance of establishing a national memorial at the World Trade Center site to commemorate and mourn the events of September 11, 2001 and the first attack on February 26, 1993.  The resolution is expected to pass overwhelmingly this evening.

“This is a bill that I wish were not needed.  But we need to remember.  It is our collective responsibility never to forget what happened and to honor the lives lost by building the memorial,” said Rep. Nadler. 

            The World Trade Center memorial’s design, “Reflecting Absence” by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, was selected by a jury after the largest design competition became the largest in history – with designs submitted by over 5,200 participants from 63 nations and 49 States.  The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation was then established to begin the fundraising for and construction of the memorial.  Work on the World Trade Center memorial began on August 17^th, 2006. 

“I am pleased that Congress has finally publicly voiced its support of this substantial effort.  There is a broad and deep consensus that has emerged in the United States that this is a sacred site that cannot be forgotten and must be honored, and that the site of the World Trade Center requires the highest form of national recognition. That is what this resolution is about,” said Rep. Nadler.

H. Res. 175 is intended in part to give the Memorial Foundation assistance with their efforts raising funds, awareness, and support for the construction and completion of the memorial.  The resolution was introduced with the support of the entire New York delegation, and it has support of Governor of New York George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The resolution holds that the House of Representatives:

(1) recognizes the importance of establishing a national memorial at the World Trade Center site, as the highest honor the Nation can confer to commemorate and mourn the events of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001; and

(2) supports the efforts of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation to build a permanent memorial at the World Trade Center site.

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