On the recordDecember 8, 2010
I rise today in strong support of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Yesterday we observed Pearl Harbor Day, marking the 69th anniversary of that tragic attack on American soil. Nine years ago our Nation was attacked once again. September 11, 2001, was a day of indescribable horror, not only for New York, a city I am proud to call home, but for the entire Nation. In the minutes, hours, and days after the Twin Towers collapsed, thousands of first responders rushed to lower Manhattan to dig through the rubble. First they searched for survivors. We all remember the horrible--this is vivid in my mind, the signs people holding: Have you seen this person? It is my husband, my wife, my child, my parent. Because no one knew where everyone was amidst the rubble. We thought-- unfortunately we were disappointed, deeply--that there were survivors amidst the rubble and time was of the essence to find them. Then, in days later, when we realized that there weren't many survivors, there was still a great need to, sadly, search for the bodies of those who perished.
