Lawler Joins Reps. Garbarino, Gottheimer in Calling on All 50 States to Require 9/11 Curriculum in Schools

Washington, D.C. - 9/11/25… Yesterday, in advance of the 24th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Reps. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) in reintroducing a House resolution that would require all 50 States to include the events of the September 11th terrorist attacks in their curriculum of elementary and secondary schools.

"September 11th was a day that forever changed our country. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, including hundreds of first responders who rushed into danger to save others. As the first generation born after that day comes of age, it is critical that we ensure students across the country understand both the horror of the attacks and the heroism of our first responders that followed. By teaching the story of 9/11 in our schools, we honor those we lost, we support the survivors and their families, and we help prepare future generations to remain vigilant in defense of our freedoms," said Congressman Lawler.

"I remember the events of September 11, 2001, as if they were yesterday, and I know the same is true for most Americans who lived through that horrific day," said Congressman Garbarino. "For tens of millions of young Americans, and for future generations who were not there to see it, we have a responsibility to preserve the memories of the fallen, the heroism we witnessed, a the national security failures that left our country vulnerable to attack. We made a promise to 'Never Forget', but today, only a handful of states require 9/11 to be taught in their schools. My goal is to make that number fifty, so every child in America grows up understanding the lessons of that day and the sacrifices that followed."

"I'm proud to lead this bipartisan resolution because it is a testament to how Congress can come together from both sides of the aisle to remember those lost on 9/11. Kids in school today were born after 9/11, and we can't let the memory of that horrific day fade away. We all have an obligation to teach future generations about the day our nation faced immense loss, and how in the face of great evil, America rose from the ashes and came together across the lines that divide us, party or region - especially in North Jersey, where we will always live in the shadows of those attacks," said Congressman Gottheimer.

Additional original cosponsors include Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Nick Langworthy (NY-23).

"We made a commitment as a nation to never forget the tragedy of the worst terror attack on American soil, nor the legacy and heroism of the first responders and survivors who rushed to aid their fellow New Yorkers. It is critical that we ensure future generations learn the history of September 11th, 2001, the courage and resilience that unified our nation so we could rebuild, as well as the threats of terrorism that we still face today by those who seek to destroy our freedom and way of life," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

"Only fourteen states currently require schools to teach students about September 11th, failing to uphold the critical promise of 'never forget,'" said Congresswoman Tenney. "Congress has a responsibility to encourage every state to ensure that young Americans understand what happened that day, the nearly 3,000 lives lost, and the heinous acts of terrorism committed against our country. This resolution is about more than remembrance. It is about making certain that our children inherit both the lessons and the resilience that emerged from one of our nation's greatest tragedies."

"There are moments in history that forever alter the course of a nation, and as the worst attack ever carried out on our soil, 9/11 is forever woven into the fabric of American history. For those of us who lived through that day and its horrific aftermath, it's seared into our memory, but 24 years later, there are generations of Americans whose only understanding will come through what they are taught. The story of 9/11 is so much greater than the attack itself-it is a story of American resilience, extraordinary bravery, and rebuilding in the face of tragedy. We vowed to 'Never Forget,' and this bipartisan resolution honors that promise by ensuring those stories and the memories of the nearly 3,000 souls we lost remain alive in our classrooms," said Congressman Langworthy.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Full bill text can be found HERE.