Upcoming Events
 
July 10, 2005
Recovery: The World Trade Center Recovery Operation

Location: Casa Romantica Cultural Center, San Clemente, CA... More

May 20 - 22, 2005
9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt 2005 Exhibit
Time: 11am to 6pm Location: Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ.

May 21, 2005
Dance Conservatory Performance Project Presents 2005 Spring Gala
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Symphony Space, 2547 Broadway,
New York , NY... More

May 22, 2005
Funday Sunday
Time: 2:00pm
Location:
123 West 43rd Street, NYC Comedycures Foundation ...
More

May 24, 2005
WTC Expert Technical Review Panel
Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House One Bowling Green, New York, NY...
More

May 25, 2005
Finding a Job From the Inside Out: Growing From Your 9/11 Experience
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Location: Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maplewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ ...
More

June 1, 2005
WTC 9/11 Pen-T Memorial Unveiling
Time: 12:00 pm Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin... More

 

 

May 20, 2005

Dear Families and Friends,

It has been a busy week with many developments which will affect the future of the WTC Memorial site and homeland security reforms.  On Tuesday I traveled to Washington, along with members of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations and the Association of Flight Attendants, to lend my support to Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).  They offered an amendment to the Homeland Security bill mandating that all cargo transported on airlines be screened for explosives and hazardous materials.  They also proposed that airlines should be required to notify passengers if the cargo is not screened.  Despite these risks, these amendments were not allowed by the Rules Committee.  Click here to read VOICES press release, along with the speeches of those in attendance, or read a summary from cnn.com.

 

Congressmen Markey and Shays are continuing to push for cargo screening with a comparable standalone bill – H.R. 2044.  The legislation was introduced May 3rd and has been referred to the Homeland Security Committee for review.  We urge you to contact your Representative and Senators to express your feelings on this vital safety issue.

 

On Thursday, Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg unveiled the design for a proposed Cultural Center at the heart of Ground Zero.  We believe the building encroaches on the area set aside for the Memorial to honor the memories of the 9/11 victims.  We call on Governor Pataki during this time of transition to closely scrutinize any modifications to the original memorial plans and to meet with the families to discuss our concerns.  VOICES press release fully outlines our position.    

 

Also, the Public Discourse Project, which was created last year by the former members of the 9/11 Commission, will hold panel discussions in Washington, D.C. this summer to evaluate the progress of implementing the intelligence legislation.  The panels will be held weekly beginning on Monday, June 6th and ending July 25th, at which point the Commission will issue a report card.  The panels will discuss topics related to each of the recommendations including intelligence reform, US foreign policy, and transportation safety.  The first forum, on Monday, June 6 will address the CIA and FBI reforms, and the second, on June 13 will focus on challenges facing the first Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte.  The forums are open to the public and will be televised on C-SPAN.  All are encouraged to come to learn about the vital task of carrying out the Commission’s recommendations.  For a full schedule of the Public Discourse Project’s summer hearings, click here.

 

We want to thank everyone who participated in our Forum at the Doral Arrowood on April 30th.  It was wonderful to see so many friendly faces.  We have received positive feedback from those who attended, and we have collected great ideas about how to improve future programs.  If you have not responded to our online survey, please click here.  We invite everyone to view the slide show of the event on our website. 

Just a reminder to SAVE THE DATE for the VOICES September 10th Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel in New York City.  We are beginning to plan for this event and welcome your comments and suggestions regarding panel discussions and activities.  

Warm Regards,

Mary Fetchet

 

 

Spotlight On…

Betty and dennis nielsen
Freedom Quilts

Betty and Dennis Nielsen, recipients of last years VOICES  Building Bridges Award, have continued to work tirelessly over the past several years with one goal in mind: to provide a unique quilt to all the families of 9/11 victims.  With the help of churches, youth groups, and various other organizations, they have produced over 5,000 quilts, expanding their reach to the families of soldiers lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.  These quilts provide a tangible comfort to many families.  Recently, Freedom Quilts has become a 501(c)3.  If you would like to help them continue their efforts, and to view the quilts they have created, please visit their website.  We thank Betty and Dennis for their dedication and generosity to our families.

 

News & Notes

 

May 19, 2005
9/11 panel to report on reform effort
The commission that investigated missteps leading to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, plans a report card this summer on how the government has responded to its recommendations... More

May 19, 2005
Hurdles for Ground Zero growing
A design for the World Trade Center museum complex will be unveiled today, a step forward for Ground Zero plans that recently have been moving in the opposite direction... More

May 19, 2005
The rush to fight missiles aimed at planes
Thousands of shoulder-fired weapons are unaccounted for, intensifying a search for ways to reduce terror threat to jets... More

 

May 18, 2005
American Forces Press Service
President Bush today praised new National Intelligence Director John D. Negroponte and principal deputy intelligence director, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, during the officials' swearing-in ceremonies held here... More

 

May 17, 2005
Department of Homeland Security Announces Over $140 Million in Grants to Secure Ports
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced $140,857,128 in port security grants... More

 

May 17, 2005
ground zero rebuilds with john cahill
Gov. George Pataki signaled that he wanted to have Ground Zero rebuilding back on track when he appointed his chief of staff, John Cahill, the point man on rebuilding last week... More

 

Featured Memorial Event

united in memory: 9/11 victims memorial quilt exhibit

This event, hosted by the Middletown Arts Council, will display the complete quarter-mile long quilt consisting of over 3,500 individual squares honoring every victim of 9/11.

When: May 20-22,
11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where:
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ

Contact: Visit the United in Memory website for more information, or call Maggie O’Brien, director of the Middletown Township Arts and Cultural Council, at (732) 615-2000 x2419. To view a recent article, along with pictures, click here.

We try to keep the most up-to-date information on memorials and foundations available on our website. If you would like to have information on your event, memorial, or foundation listed, please click here.

 

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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Voices of September 11th (“VOICES”) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting public policy reform for prevention, preparedness and response related to terrorism. VOICES supports and advocates for all those impacted by September 11, 2001 and other terrorist attacks.