25th Anniversary of Commemorative Coin Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1993, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, sponsored by Representative Goldman of New York.

This bill directs the Treasury Secretary to mint coins in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. That is a day that deeply transformed our country and persists in the American memory.

This legislation is important because it gives us the opportunity to honor the memory of the 2,977 lives that were taken during these attacks; the strength of their families and loved ones; the sacrifices of many others involved in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts; and the courage of the survivors.

Unfortunately, the devastation did not end that day. In the aftermath, countless people across the country continued to suffer from the physical and mental health impacts of this tragedy. Throughout the years, tens of thousands of first responders, construction workers, volunteers, and survivors have been injured or become ill from the toxic dust, smoke, and debris they were exposed to.

The data demonstrating these outcomes is heartbreaking. According to the World Trade Center Health Program, over 63,000 registered members have developed one or more medical issues rooted in their exposure to these toxins, and more than 9,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses. That is three times the number of people who were killed on September 11 itself.

It is necessary that we continue to remember and honor those who have lost their lives, as well as meaningfully support the individuals who continue to battle these health challenges today.

The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center carries out this important work by providing services and engaging in educational efforts, which is why I am glad that we are supporting this bill today.

This legislation also includes a funding structure which would support the operations and maintenance of the memorial and museum so that visitors and future generations continue to learn about these horrific events and the heroic efforts of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOLDMAN of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for her support, as well as the chairman for moving this forward.

I rise today in support of H.R. 1993, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act, as we are fast approaching the 25th anniversary of the worst attack on American soil in our history, a day when we lost almost 3,000 of our loved ones, neighbors, and friends in a coordinated attack by terrorists who wanted to destroy the very values for which our country stands: liberty and justice for all.

We can never forget those we lost, and I will never forget that day myself, watching from my apartment building less than a mile away as the second plane hurled itself into the towers. Then, seeing people covered in soot walking uptown while our heroes, the NYPD, the New York Fire Department charged downtown into the building to try to save whomever they could.

Nor can we forget what came in the days and weeks that followed: countless heroes who rushed into the danger, who then spent months on a pile that turned out to be poisonous, searching for survivors.

These individuals are the very best of us, and their selflessness and courage embody the resilience of our city, what it means to be a New Yorker, and our country. We will never forget them.

Since 9/11, more people have died from 9/11-related health problems than even died that day. I was proud to have joined last year with my Republican colleagues from New York to ensure that we fully fund and indefinitely fund the World Trade Center Health Program, which now has well over 100,000 members from every State in the country.

As we approach this anniversary, I am proud to lead this bill to direct the Department of Treasury to issue coins to commemorate this dark day in American history and to ensure that the events of September 11, 2001, are forever enshrined in our collective memory.

Commemorative coins recognize some of the most important events and people in American history: the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed racial segregation, the brave African-American high school students at Little Rock Central High School after Brown v. Board of Education, the astronauts who took the first steps on the Moon. It is fitting that the victims and heroes of 9/11 will be honored in this same way.

Proceeds from the sale of this coin will go directly to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support its critical work educating future generations and remembering those we lost.

This legislation has received overwhelming bipartisan support.

Mr. GOLDMAN of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends and fellow New Yorkers, Chairman Garbarino and Representative Mike Lawler, for their partnership and work on this bill. We have over 300 of our colleagues who have joined in this effort, and I am deeply grateful for their support as the Representative of 9/11 in Congress.

We must honor our promise to never forget, and I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this critical legislation.

This legislation would establish the creation of commemorative coins in light of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

These commemorative coins and the critical work of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will help us honor the bravery of Americans for many generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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