Never Forget

Floor Speech

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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman D'Esposito for bringing us together tonight to honor the 2,977 victims of September 11 but also the many more who have died since. I thank him for his service in the NYPD to the city of New York.

Madam Speaker, 23 years ago, those of us in New York City experienced the 9/11 attacks in a way we will never forget. I was a recent graduate commuting to my first job near Union Square in Manhattan when the first plane hit the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. We watched in horror as the city descended into chaos and first responders rushed in to save lives. Too many never returned.

The attacks shattered our sense of security. ``Never forget'' became the rallying cry for our troops entering Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. We came together to support the recovery of our city and heal our country. New York emerged stronger with enhanced security, a fortified NYPD, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Twenty-three years later, we approach a somber reality that more FDNY members have passed away from 9/11-related illnesses and cancers than from the attack on September 11, 2001.

I have attended memorials and street namings for heroes who made it home on 9/11 only to succumb to it years after.

I will forever honor our pledge to never forget by working with Representatives D'Esposito, Garbarino, and others for our first responders and survivors fighting these illnesses by ensuring that Zadroga is fully funded and that they receive the healthcare that they deserve.

During my first term, I successfully fought for 3,000 widows and children to be fairly compensated by the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, something they fought for for over two decades. This year, I am proud to work with Congressman Mike Lawler on the fund the fund act and ensure that the USVSST leaves no more victims out of rightfully owed victims compensation.

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, it is essential to remain vigilant. Today, we are a divided Nation with new challenges. Afghanistan is again under Taliban control, and thousands of ISIS-K and al-Qaida terrorists were released from Bagram Air Base during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Our borders are wide open, and law enforcement is stretched dangerously thin. On 9/11, the NYPD had 41,000 officers. Today, it has only 33,000. According to the latest reports, over 350 suspected terrorists have been apprehended at the southern border. ISIS-K-related groups have smuggled 400 individuals with terrorist ties into the United States.

We cannot stand by and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We must honor those we have lost and prevent even the possibility of another attack. We must secure our border. We must make our homeland safe. We must prioritize our country's security, strengthen and support our law enforcement, and ensure that ``Never Forget'' remains a guiding principle, not just a slogan.

Lastly, this administration has a solemn duty to deliver justice to all Americans. That means no plea deal for the 9/11 masterminds. Set a trial date, and let's pursue the death penalty.

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