September 11 Memorial Should Use American Workers To Complete Project

Floor Speech

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it came to my attention this week that North Carolina Granite Corporation, a small business in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, was recently informed that it lost a bid to supply cut granite for the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. Unfortunately, news outlets reported that this business, which employs 135 people in the Fifth Congressional District, lost the contract to bidders in Italy and Africa.

Mr. Speaker, this is very disturbing. I hope that the decision-makers at the memorial will reconsider their decision to ship this important work overseas. The people of North Carolina Granite are highly talented workers with experience on projects such as the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. who are eager to help complete the National September 11 Memorial. In the midst of an economic downturn, it makes more sense than ever to use American craftsmen to help build a memorial in honor of those who sacrificed so much on that day 8 years ago.

Source