Albio Sires: “I really want to thank Congressman Weiner, this has been an issue that is close to his heart, for offering this…”

“I really want to thank Congressman Weiner, this has been an issue that is close to his heart, for offering this amendment. Let me start my remarks talking a little bit about 9/11. I was the mayor of a small community across from New York, and I was a citizen. I watched as the Towers burned. I will never forget that vision in my mind. It was a symbolic blow to the Nation's spirit. But we have recovered our spirit. Today, America stands strong and proud again. And an important part of the recovery is due to the fact that we were able to get back to work. In short, we got back our lives. As the Secretary of the Interior, Ms. Norton, said on September 12, 2001 while standing at the Hoover Dam, 'Even though atrocities such as those of September 11 can affect us, they cannot close us down.' That is why I am cosponsoring this amendment today. The only national park that remains closed from 9/11 is the crown of the Statue of Liberty. I hope that with this amendment we will open up the crown for visiting once again. Yes, it is symbolic, but symbols are important.”