Chris Smith: “Passage of this bill, Mr. Speaker, will provide immediate and substantial tax rebates to the spouses and children of…”

“Passage of this bill, Mr. Speaker, will provide immediate and substantial tax rebates to the spouses and children of nearly 3,500 victims who met tragic deaths in the horrific attacks on September 11. Seven hundred New Jersey residents, more than 50 from my own District, never came home on September 11. They were the first victims and the first heroes of America's war on terrorism. There are additional heroes, Mr. Speaker, namely, the wives, the widows of those who were murdered on September 11. Over the last several weeks, both my wife, Marie, and I and members of my staff have met many of the widows, and we have been moved greatly by their loss as well as by their courage. Last week, my wife and I, as well as other members of the New Jersey delegation, joined with several of those widows from our State in a meeting with Speaker Hastert, and he, too, was moved by what they had to say. These brave women courageously reminded Congress of the heartbreaking burdens that they have faced since the shock of 9/11.”