By Hank Russell
In advance of the 24th anniversary of the Sept terrorist attacks, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-Patchogue), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, reintroduced his House Resolution that would require elementary and secondary schools in all 50 states to include the events of the 9/11 attacks in their curriculum. The purpose of the resolution, Garbarino said, is to never forget that fateful day. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) joined Garbarino to co-lead the resolution.
“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,” Garbarino said. “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, and the national security failures that left our country vulnerable to attack.”
“Kids in school today were born after 9/11, and we can’t let the memory of that horrific day fade away,” Gottheimer added. “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.”
Additional original cosponsors include Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River), Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point), Claudia Tenney (R-Lockport), and Nick Langworthy (R-Jamestown).
“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,” Lawler said. “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.”
“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,” Malliotakis added. “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.”
Tenney said the bill 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. … 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.”
“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,” said Langworthy. “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.”
The bill stated that not teaching these students about what happened on September 11, 2001, “would be a disservice to the memories of the 2,977 innocent individuals who were murdered on that day, as well as the thousands of first responders and survivors who, in the 22 years since the attacks, have been diagnosed with, or have died as a result of, cancers and other illnesses related to their presence during the attacks.” It went on to say that it is imperative “to prepare future leaders, Members of Congress, servicemembers, homeland security professionals, and everyday Americans with valuable insights and context critical to preventing future attacks on the United States.”
According to the resolution, only 14 states require the teaching of the 9/11 attacks. “We made a promise to ‘Never Forget’, but today, only a handful of states require 9/11 to be taught in their schools,” Garbarino said. “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.”