Bill Pascrell: “in what may very well be remembered as our Nation's most deplorable tragedy, our American family has stood firm. Amid…”

“in what may very well be remembered as our Nation's most deplorable tragedy, our American family has stood firm. Amid the carnage and the destruction, amongst the pain and the anguish, our public safety officers performed their duties the way no fictional hero in Hollywood could dare imagine. Our police officers and firefighters, EMTs, along with countless other Americans in support roles are always there for us. Let us make sure that we, as their family, are there for them. Fire officials have said that over 300 firefighters are currently missing or dead. Dozens of police officers and other emergency workers are still unaccounted for. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has said it has lost so many employees. To my buddies in the New York fire department and to my friends in the New York police department, we share in your grief. God only knows what else we will hear in the days ahead. God only knows how many children will arrive home only to discover that their brave mother or father has perished while serving their country. Let us make sure that these families are served by us, not only with our undying admiration and appreciation but also with our tangible support. I implore my colleagues to support the gentleman from New York's bill. Payment to the families of public safety officers lost in the line of duty, our first defenders, should be mandatory. Now is not the time for long and time-consuming paperwork.…”