Company: Voices of September 11th

The New York Post 
July 15, 2005

QUIT THE IFC GAMES 
By VITO FOSSELLA, PETER KING, & JOHN SWEENEY 
COUNT us among the large number of observers outraged at the thought that a museum at Ground Zero would tell a story unrelated to the events of that tragic day. And the statements to date from the International Freedom Center have not put that outrage to rest. 
The most prominent critics have been some 9/11 family members — which is entirely appropriate. Though the center is supposed to represent the ideals of freedom and liberty, it's to be established in the hallowed location of Ground Zero. Those who lost loved ones must have an integral voice in this process. 
But all New Yorkers were touched in one way or another by what happened on 9/11, and as federal representatives, we have a duty to ensure that the tax dollars being used to support such a project reflect the true spirit of our nation's ideals. 
Indeed, hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars are being spent right now for layout, design and infrastructure for the new buildings at Ground Zero. While private funds have been invested, federal dollars still bear a heavy load. We will not allow them to be used to tarnish the memory of even one hero. 
Several weeks ago, we told Stefan Pryor, president of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. (LMDC), that the World Trade Center site is sacred ground where, foremost, the lives of those lost must be honored. Here, a fitting memorial should mark the spot of the most deadly attack ever on American soil, along with remembrances of those taken from us, their heroism, their tragedy. 
Consider this: No one would have suggested the IFC be built in its proposed location if 9/11 had never happened. The memory of 9/11 alone should be the focus of the museum. 
An IFC that highlights freedom's march related to the terrorist attack has the potential to complement the memorial itself and expand on our understanding of that day and the tremendous loss of life. But the focus must be limited to 9/11 and its aftermath. 
To date, the IFC's apparent message has ranged from a muddled hodge-podge to possibly even blaming America for the 9/11 attacks. This is not what we envisioned when we secured hundreds of millions of federal taxpayer dollars to help rebuild Ground Zero. Nor did we anticipate that the planning process would be hijacked by some to construct some long-desired pet project to showcase anti-American propaganda. 
The IFC has responded recently to the mounting criticism, but it is still not enough. We believe that, if the museum is to proceed, clear criteria must be established limiting all its programming to 9/11. 
We unequivocally reject the notion that America is to blame for the terrorist attacks. Indeed, we believe that the story of freedom's march over the past two centuries has happened because of the United States of America, not in spite of it! 
Throughout the 20th century, America responded time and again to freedom's call. When Europe burned, it was the American GI who extinguished the flame. When Hitler's army marched through the streets of Paris, bombed Britain and slaughtered millions, it was America's sons and daughters who laid their lives down. When the Soviet Union's communist arsenal threatened individual liberties throughout the world, it was America's principled determination that forced its demise. 
Today, at the dawn of the 21st century, terrorism has emerged as the latest incarnation of evil and it is America that is leading the global war to eradicate it. That war began on 9/11. The IFC must consider only that when designing its museum. 
Vito Fossella, Peter King and John Sweeney are Republican congressmen from New York.