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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2008
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT STATEMENT ON ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS
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(Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) issued the following statement today on the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“This is the day we pause and remember those who lost their lives on that terrible day seven years ago. We also remember the heroism of the first responders, and of those who fought back against terrorists – people like the late Todd Beamer, a resident of central New Jersey. But even as we look back in sorrow and remembrance, we must also look to the future and remember our obligation to prevent other American families from enduring a similar horror in the future.
We have made progress in making our country more secure since September 11, 2001. A critical piece of legislation was enacted in August 2007 to better protect Americans from terrorism and improve our security. The legislation (H.R. 1) completed the enactment of the recommendations of the bipartisan, independent 9/11 Commission into law. This law requires 100 percent screening of cargo on passenger aircraft within three years and 100 percent scanning of seaborne cargo before it gets to U.S. ports within five years, ensures that first responders can communicate with each other in an emergency, and improves rail and mass transit security. It is disgraceful that the Administration has failed to implement the law, and I will certainly do my part to keep the pressure up until they fully comply.
On the issue of meeting post-9/11 threats, I’m pleased that this Congress has taken steps to secure our rail and transit systems. As we saw with the attacks on rail and mass transit systems in Europe and India over the last few years, transit systems are prime targets. I was pleased to lead the effort last year that secured $400 million in funding for rail and transit security grant programs--$225 million more than President Bush requested in his budget. We still have a long way to go before our rail and transit systems are as safe as they should be, but we are finally moving in the right direction.”
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