By Hank Russell
U.S. Representative Anthony D’Esposito called on his fellow congresspeople to approve a bill that would make the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks a national holiday.
The September 11 Day of Remembrance Act, introduced by Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River), would designate that day as a federal public holiday. According to the U.S. Navy, approximately 3,000 people were killed, mostly during the attacks on the World Trade Center. One hundred eighty-nine servicemembers and civilians at the Pentagon were killed and 40 people died when Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The bill is sitting in the House of Representatives.
D’Esposito (R-Garden City), who is one of the bill’s co-sponsors, recently held a press conference in Point Lookout at the Town of Hempstead’s 9/11 Memorial, where he was joined by Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, former Congressman Peter King, Richard Beckwith (son of the late FDNY Firefighter Bob Beckwith), and community advocates. “People forget,” D’Esposito said.
The purpose of the bill, D’Esposito said, is “to reflect on what happened to this great country that day and — even more importantly — who was responsible for it.”
“As we prepare to solemnly mark the 23rd anniversary of the attack, it is vital that all Americans who lived through that horrific day recommit ourselves to teaching the next generation of that sad piece of American history,” D’Esposito said in a statement. He later posted on X (formerly Twitter, “This [bill] would allow more Americans to participate in 9/11 memorial ceremonies & ensure victims aren’t forgotten.”