SJR145

A Joint Resolution commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Whereas, On September 11, 2001, the al-Qaeda terrorist group carried out an unprovoked attack against the United States with four hijacked commercial airplanes; and

Whereas, At 8:46 a.m. on that day, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the upper portion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, and 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., United Airline Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower; and

Whereas, Later that morning, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the west wall of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., the impact of which caused immediate and catastrophic damage to the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense; and

Whereas, At approximately 10:00 a.m. that same day, the passengers and crew of the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 acted heroically to retake control of the airplane and thwart the taking of additional American lives by crashing the airplane in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and, in doing so, gave their lives to save countless others; and

Whereas, Nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks on September 11, 2001, and thousands of individuals narrowly escaped the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed; and

Whereas, On that day, both rescue workers and ordinary citizens risked their lives to save others, showing a selfless heroism; and

Whereas, Countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, government officials, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to those horrific events; and

Whereas, In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the United States Coast Guard, alongside countless civilian mariners, ferry operators, tugboat crews, and private citizens, organized and executed what would become known as “Operation Boat Lift,” the largest maritime evacuation in world history, safely evacuating an estimated 500,000 people from Manhattan in less than nine hours, in an effort often compared to or exceeding the scale of the nine-day Dunkirk evacuation during World War II; and

Whereas, The Fire Department of the City of New York suffered 343 fatalities on September 11, 2001, the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in United States history; and

Whereas, As a result of the terrorist attacks, the New York City Police Department suffered 23 fatalities and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department suffered 37 fatalities, which is the largest loss of life of any police force in the United States history in a single day; and

Whereas, Approximately 750 New Jerseyans lost their lives that day, accounting for the most lives lost in the attacks in any state after New York; and

Whereas, The death toll is still rising 25 years later, as some of the survivors who lived, worked, and attended school near Ground Zero and those who selflessly worked on the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts after the attacks are dying from illnesses caused by exposure to the variety of poisonous materials at the sites; and

Whereas, The impact of that day on public health continues through today, as more than 140,000 people are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, including more than 16,900 people from New Jersey; and

Whereas, Over 150 memorials in the form of gardens, statues, plaques, and monuments have been installed throughout the State of New Jersey in the years since the attacks; and

Whereas, On the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, it is fitting and proper that this State honors the innocent victims, remembers the courage, sacrifice, unity, and resilience displayed by those who rushed to the aid of their fellow Americans, celebrates the enduring American spirit, and affirms that we will never forget; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey commemorates the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11 and call upon public officials and residents of New Jersey to reflect upon and honor the innocent victims who perished in the attacks, the bravery of those who rushed to their aid, and the resiliency of the American people.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress elected from this State.

4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution commemorates the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

On September 11, 2001, the al-Qaeda terrorist group attacked the United States with four hijacked commercial airplanes. Nearly 3,000 people were killed due to the plane crashes at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Approximately 750 New Jerseyans lost their lives that day and the death toll is still rising. Some of the survivors who lived, worked, and attended school near Ground Zero and those police officers, firefighters, emergency management personnel, and other first responders who selflessly worked on the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts after the attacks are dying from illnesses caused by exposure to the variety of poisonous materials at the sites. This nation is forever indebted to the first responders who courageously sacrificed their lives and health in order to bring others to safety.

Over 150 memorials in the form of gardens, statues, plaques, and monuments have been installed throughout the State of New Jersey in the years since the attacks. On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, it is fitting and proper that this State reflects upon and honors the innocent victims who perished in the attacks, the bravery of those who rushed to their aid, and the resiliency of the American people.