Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Honoring The Lives Lost And Selfless Heroism Displayed On September 11, 2001 And Advocating For The Full Funding Of The World Trade Center Health[...]

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor those who lost their lives and those who displayed heroic acts of selflessness in the horrific terror attack that took place on September 11, 2001. Leader Schumer advocated for the victims of 9/11 by fighting to secure funds for the World Trade Center Health Program, which assists sick first responders in getting the care they need. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Twenty-four years ago today, September 11^th, 2001, started off like any other day in New York City.

The weather was beautiful.

People were out and about.

It was primary day, people were lining up to vote.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

At 8:46 AM, Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. There was chaos and confusion.

Seventeen minutes later, Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower.

The reality of what was happening became clear. This wasn't a horrific accident. America was under attack, and New York City was ground zero.

The course of American history was changed forever.

Twenty-four years later, not a day has passed that I haven't thought about the people we lost that day, including three friends of mine.

A guy I played basketball with in high school.

A businessman who helped me on the way up.

A firefighter I did blood drives with around the city.

May their memories be a blessing.

I still think about the scenes when I arrived at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attack, the day after.

The putrid smell of death and burned flesh was in the air.

I remember the rows upon rows of people holding up makeshift signs with photos of their missing loved ones, because no one knew who was alive and who wasn't.

"Have you seen my brother, Bill?"

"Have you seen my daughter, Mary?"

The anguish on their faces stays in my mind to this day.

These are the kind of heart-wrenching images that will stay with me for a lifetime.

While 9/11 was America's darkest hour, I also saw New Yorkers in our finest moments. There were countless acts of kindness by strangers to help each other.

In the midst of the tragedy, the world saw the true strength of America and New York come through.

The next day, I called on every American to display the flag - on their clothes, outside their homes - as a sign of solidarity.

And every day since that day, I wear this flag on my lapel. And every time I look at it, I think of those who are lost.

It's a small, but constant reminder of our sacred promise to "Never Forget."

"Never Forget" especially means honoring the countless brave first responders who ran towards the danger - not away from it - to save lives.

In our darkest hour, these heroes - police officers, firefighters, EMTs, construction workers and so many others - risked their lives to rescue others.

Many of the first responders became sick because of the toxins in the air.

Many were diagnosed with rare, deadly cancers and diseases.

And many - far too many - succumbed to their illnesses.

Including my great friend, Ray Pfeiffer. May he rest in peace.

That's why I have fought to secure nearly $1.7 billion for the World Trade Center Health Program, to help sick first responders get the care they need.

Sadly, sadly, it's been such a struggle to get that money.

It has been a difficult few months for many 9/11 first responders and others now sick due to exposures at Ground Zero.

Cuts to this program are wrong, immoral, and I have fought in a bipartisan way - with fellow Republicans and Democrats - to oppose them.

I have also fiercely opposed the firing of thousands of HHS staffers who support the World Trade Center Health Program.

The heroes who rushed to the towers, the families who lost loved ones and have sick loved ones, don't deserve this kind of chaos, uncertainty, and uncaringness.

They don't deserve to have their treatment put on hold because of a backlog, because of disorganization.

And I repeat: this is not a Democrat or Republican issue.

Taking care of 9/11 families is an American issue to its core.

One of the best ways to "Never Forget" is ensuring the World Trade Center Health Program is: fully funded, fully staffed, and fully operational.

So, may God bless, the memories of those who perished on 9/11.

May God bless all of our first responders and their families.

[The Senate observed a moment of silence.]

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