911 Education

New York City’s school system was deeply affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center, but federal recovery funds were delayed and restricted because of bureaucratic red tape at FEMA. I led efforts with members of the New York delegation to achieve full disaster recovery assistance for the school system and in October 2002 the Bush Administration announced that it would reimburse the New York Board of Education $80.5 million to make up for lost instructional time resulting from the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Achieving Aid for NYU and Pace University I was also successful in pressing for $9 million in federal aid for New York University and approximately $1 million for Pace University for costs related to the terrorist attacks. After persistent efforts to convey to FEMA that NYU’s disaster-related losses and Pace University’s disaster-related losses were deserving of federal aid, FEMA reversed an earlier decision, based on a rigid interpretation of guidelines, to deny aid to these schools. Mental Health Needs of New York School Students Funded In March of 2003, FEMA and the State of New York finally approved a long-standing request for $33 million in federal aid to cover costs associated with the mental health needs of New York City students after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

Legislation:

10/16/02 - H.R.5676, Disaster Relief For Our Schools Act [107th Congress]

12/19/01 - H.RES.325, Recognizing the New York City Public School Community Following 9/11 [107th Congress]

Documents / Reports:

03/19/03 - Letter From NYC Dept. of Education Regarding Mental Health Needs For NYC Students

02/06/03 - Letter To FEMA Regarding Assistance To NYC Public Schools Following 9/11

07/22/02 - Letter To FEMA Regarding Unmet Needs of NYC Schools Following 9/11

More on 911 Education

Rep. Maloney Helps Open 9/11 Commission Records

Jan 14, 2009 Press Release
Washington, D.C. – This morning, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) joined with officials from the National Archives in Washington to announce that a new collection of documents from the 9/11 Commission will available for public review at the Archives beginning on January 14th.  The records include information on the 9/11 terrorists, past terrorist events, al Qaeda, and related subjects.  The records also contain information concerning the emergency responses to the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.

MALONEY DECLARES VICTORY IN FIGHT TO GET CITY SCHOOLS 9/11 AID

Oct 29, 2002 Press Release

New York, NY - The Bush Administration announced Tuesday that it would reimburse the NY Board of Education $80.5 million to make up for lost instructional time resulting from the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), who has been a leader in the fight to press FEMA for full reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of 9/11, applauded the decision.

REPS. MALONEY, SERRANO WORK TO ENSURE SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE ASSISTANCE

Oct 17, 2002 Press Release

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), along with Representatives JosÁ Serrano (D-NY), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and Martin Frost (D-TX), introduced legislation, H.R. 5676, “The Disaster Relief for Our Schools Act,” which would return authority to the U.S. Department of Education for providing assistance to school districts following a disaster.  In 1994, responsibility for disaster assistance officially was transferred from the Department of Education to FEMA under the Stafford Act.  
         

NEW YORK LAWMAKERS PUSH FEMA TO FULLY REIMBURSE CITY FOR LOST CLASS TIME

Sep 14, 2002 Press Release
Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), along with Senator Chuck Schumer and Representatives Josè Serrano (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Nydia Velàzquez (D-NY) sent a letter to Joseph Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), pushing for full reimbursement to New York City schools for the $103 million for lost instruction time due to 9/11, and urged him to reimburse the New York City Board of Education for additional expenses incurred. In a press report earlier this week, FEMA indicated they were inclined to consider reimbursing a portion of the expenses incurred, but New York Lawmakers are pressing for a full reimbursement.

Progress in 9/11 Aid to NY Schools Several Costs & Losses Still In Question

Jun 3, 2002 Press Release
WASHINGTON: FEMA - the agency charged with the disbursement of disaster-recovery aid to New York after 9/11 - decided today to provide the New York City Board of Education with approximately $12 million for expenses incurred as a result of the terrorist attacks.

AFTER MONTHS OF EFFORT, FEMA AGREES TO AID FOR NYU

May 15, 2002 Press Release
WASHINGTON: In a breakthrough for federal recovery aid to New York, FEMA has agreed today to allocate approximately $9 million in aid to New York University for costs related to the terrorist attacks of September 11th in New York City.

SAD DAY FOR NY SCHOOL KIDS

May 10, 2002 Press Release
WASHINGTON: The House Appropriations Committee failed last night to help New York's school system recover costs related to 9/11. This while, FEMA has so far denied the vast majority of funds the Board of Education needs related to the costs of 9/11, including the costs of make-up school days and mental health related expenses.

9/11 AID NEEDED FOR NY SCHOOLS BOARD OF ED. REJECTED IN REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE, SWEENEY & MALONEY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO HELP

May 3, 2002 Press Release
WASHINGTON: In response to FEMA inaction to provide needed assistance to the Board of Education and its students after 9/11, Reps. John Sweeney (R-NY) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced legislation today aimed at solving the problem, HR 4663.