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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong and steadfast support of H.R. 1993, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act. I thank my colleagues from New York, in particular, Congressmen Goldman and Garbarino, as well as 297 other colleagues who have cosponsored this legislation.
Almost 25 years ago, for the first time in history, New York stood silent. The City that Never Sleeps came to a halt, and we all went into mourning for the thousands of innocent people who died that day.
9/11 changed New York, and it changed America. It continues to impact our communities today. To today, we still have first responders dying of 9/11-related illnesses. It is why I have spent so much of my tenure in Congress working on behalf of the victims, their families, and our first responders.
I am currently working to pass legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Crowther posthumously, a local hero who helped save 18 lives, known as the man in the red bandana. He represents the very best of America.
I have also led efforts to ensure and expedite disbursements from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, and just in the past few months, my New York colleagues and I secured lifetime funding for the World Trade Center Health Program.
Not only am I committed to taking care of our 9/11 community today, but I am committed to keeping our fallen Americans in our hearts, our minds, and our prayers each and every day, and especially every year on September 11.
This bill will allow the U.S. Mint to furnish a coin to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Notably, the surcharge proceeds of this coin will go toward the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum to help with the incredible work they do to tell the story of 9/11 and the resilience of New York.
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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, we have promised never to forget 9/11, and we never will. We are committed to upholding that promise. I know my colleagues in Congress support this legislation, and I look forward to its unanimous adoption.
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