9/11 Memorial and Museum Act

Mr. Speaker, the chairman mentioned a quote that is affixed to the wall when you enter the 9/11 Memorial & Museum: ``No day shall erase you from the memory of time.''

That quote is affixed to 2,983 tiles, all painted with watercolors, a different shade of blue, to represent that clear blue sky on that Tuesday morning. The 2,983 tiles represent the victims of September 11, 2001, as well as the 1993 bombing.

On September 11, 2001, we lost thousands of people to an attack on our homeland. These individuals were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and their absence is felt every single day.

Among those we lost were heroes who stared danger in the face and chose to run into peril to save their fellow man. Even now, more than two decades later, we continue to lose people to 9/11-related illnesses. As of today, there is someone suffering from a 9/11-related illness in every congressional district in the United States of America.

These were firefighters, cops, ironworkers, first responders, people just going to work in the financial district, everyday Americans.

Since that day, we have promised to never forget, to never forget those whose lives were cut short, never forget those who selflessly ran toward danger, never forget the resilience of this beautiful Nation in the days that followed, never forget the loved ones left behind, and never forget those who continue to suffer.

How do we keep this promise to never forget?

One important way is through continued support of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. For years, the museum has told the story of that tragic day from the clear blue sky that I referenced, to the people who remember waking up that morning, to the fear and confusion that gripped the Nation, and to the rescue efforts that followed.

Outside the museum, two memorial pools are surrounded by the names of each and every victim on bronze parapets, making sure we never forget one single victim. I encourage everyone to visit this site.

No American under the age of 22 was alive during 9/11, and it is critical that we continue to teach our children and generations to come about the events of that day and how it changed our world forever. We must continue to teach them who was responsible for that attack on this Nation and hold them accountable.

The museum does this critical work every day, both on-site and around the world, through the development of lesson plans and curricula for kids of various ages. Congress must support this work.

Additionally, the threat to this site did not end on September 11, 2001. The museum remains a target to this day. Just 2 months ago, a man was sentenced to over a decade in prison for trying to help ISIS attack New York City, including the 9/11 Museum. This is unacceptable.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum must have the resources it needs to ensure that all visitors are safe. I am proud to introduce and support this legislation that will authorize a one-time grant for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Ensuring that they have the resources they need to continue the programs and keep visitors safe is of paramount importance to this Nation.

I am calling on all my colleagues to support this and keep our promise to never forget. As I close, I would like to read a part of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's mission: ``May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance, and intolerance.''

May we help them accomplish this mission today by passing this legislation.

When those of us who take oaths to protect and serve, we take that oath and we swear on the Bible. We also make a promise in our hearts, a promise to never ever forget.

Mr. Speaker, today I am asking all the Members of this distinguished body to follow that lead and never forget.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5401) to provide a one-time grant for the operation, security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to commemorate the events, and honor the victims, of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5401, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative D'Esposito's bipartisan bill, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act.

This legislation provides a one-time grant to assist with the security costs for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum occupies the site of the former World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. This unique facility serves as the principal tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993.

One of the focal points of the museum is an art installation with the quote, ``No day shall erase you from the memory of time.'' This is not merely a quote. It is a promise from each and every American that we will never forget the tragic events of 9/11. More than 23 years after these horrific attacks, we still remember the innocent men, women, and children who perished on that day.

Representative D'Esposito's legislation will help ensure that the memories of those we lost on 9/11 remain eternal by providing a one- time grant, ranging from $5 million to $10 million, to assist with security costs for the memorial and museum.

As the location of one of the most high-profile terrorist attacks in American history, the museum shoulders more than $1 million in security costs per month. This important grant coming from the Department of Homeland Security's existing appropriations would help defray those significant security costs.

I thank Representative D'Esposito for his efforts to advance this legislation. Yet again, he has proven himself to be a tireless advocate for his constituents and the people of New York. His important bill would help the 9/11 Memorial & Museum continue operations, increase safety measures, and provide free admission for military veterans, first responders, and victims' families.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill with strong bipartisan support. It offers a one-time grant to help the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City fulfill its crucial educational mission and ensure no

American forgets the tragic events of 9/11.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act.

This bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a one-time grant to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, as the chairman just mentioned, if future legislation authorizes such activity and if future legislation appropriates such funds.

This museum and memorial is the principal tribute of remembrance and honor for the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11. Over the years, Congress has provided significant financial support for the site and recognized it as the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Though I rise today in support, I would like to highlight that the 9/ 11 museum has faced criticism since its opening related to some terminologies used in some of the exhibits. Organizations such as the Muslim Community Network and a coalition of prominent academics have raised concerns that the terminology used for Islamic extremism and terrorism is sometimes generalized, improperly defined, and excludes necessary context. In response, these groups have requested that an interfaith advisory council be established for the memorial and museum to increase inclusive representation, content review, and educational initiatives.

I acknowledge and deeply understand the significance and importance of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It is a site for remembrance and mourning. Members of the House Natural Resources Committee will continue to support the ongoing management needs of the museum, but we encourage the museum's management to engage with stakeholders to develop an interfaith advisory council to ensure that the site is welcoming and representative of all.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.