July 27, 2007
DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,
We have included more details about the upcoming September 10th Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon. This years forum, “Preserving 9/11”, will be an opportunity for families, rescue workers, survivors and corporations to learn more about the 9/11 Living Memorial project and hear from experts on how to preserve your priceless photographs and other 9/11 mementos. VOICES staff will be available throughout the day to digitize photographs, text and other items you would like to include in the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive. The exhibition hall will include displays of tangible items submitted by families, survivors, corporations and rescue workers. The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge.
We are happy to report that late last night the Senate passed the conference report for H.R. 1 by a vote of 85-8. The legislation will be voted on in the House this afternoon and then proceed to the White House for the President’s signature. We are hopeful that the administration will wholeheartedly endorse this crucial legislation that will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.
This week we are featuring a beautiful 9/11 Memorial dedicated in Salome, Arizona. Like so many other memorials, its creation unified citizens and organizations from the surrounding communities to come together in a shared goal to honor the lives of those who perished.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
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| VOICES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS |
Voices of September 11th cordially invites you to our annual Forum and Commemorative Luncheon to mark the Sixth Anniversary. The theme of this year’s two day event is “Preserving 9/11” highlighting the 9/11 Living Memorial project, a permanent digital archive, commemorating the Lives and the Stories of September 11, 2001. Both events will again be held at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West Street, New York City, adjacent to the World Trade Center site.
The “Preserving 9/11” Forum will be held on Monday, September 10th from 12 Noon to 5:30 PM and will feature 9/11 Living Memorial exhibits, workshops and panel discussions. Preservations experts from the National Archive, Library of Congress, U.S. Forest Service Memorial Project and New York State Museum will provide information on techniques to properly preserve your priceless photographs, personal belongings of your loved ones and 9/11 memorabilia. In addition, the WTC Memorial Foundation will update you on the WTC Memorial Museum. Finally, a magnificent quilt by Mary Henderson will be dedicated to the 9/11 Living Memorial.
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9/11 Living Memorial Feature |
The Salome, Arizona 9/11 Monument
 Though they were thousands of miles away from New York and Washington, D.C., on September 11th, 2001, the residents of Salome, Arizona, shared the profound grief and devastation of the entire country on that day. Wanting to commemorate the lives lost on 9/11, this small desert community pooled together many of its resources to build a beautiful and inspiring monument along Highway 60. Members of the Chamber of Commerce, Fire Department, Lions’ Club, and townspeople from Salome and the surrounding areas raised money, contributed designs, and offered their time and energy to ensure that the lives of 9/11 would not be forgotten. After three years of hard work and planning, the Salome 9/11 Monument was dedicated on September 11, 2004. The double-sided metal waving flag atop the monument is a symbol of hope and freedom, while the brass circle surrounding it represents the circle of life. The most touching feature of the monument is the art piece at its center, depicting three fire fighters raising the American flag over the debris at Ground Zero. The monument’s solid design is a symbol of American resolve and determination; this monument will stand the test of time, just as America stood strong in the face of attack. All those who pass by this symbol of strength and patriotism along Highway 60 will remember the lives lost and the courage displayed on 9/11. For more information, visit the Salome 9/11 Monument Memorial page on the Voices website or
the Salome 9/11 Monument website.
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| EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY |
OCME Releases DNA ID Update
This week, the Office of the City Medical Examiner (OCME) released its first monthly update on the process of DNA identification for human remains recovered from the periphery of the WTC site. Two new identifications have recently been issued: Edward Ryan, age 42, was identified from remains recovered from the Haul Road following the discovery of human remains in a Con Edison manhole at the WTC site in October 2006. Raymond "Erick" Sanchez, 45, was positively identified from remains found in 2001-2002. If you have any questions please call 212-788-7418. Click here to read the OCME's update for June 1-June 29, including a full summary if the DNA testing results. Read more on this topic in VOICES Recovering Remains section.
9/11 Legislation Moves Forward
H.R. 1 “Implementing 9/11 Commission’s Recommendations” made progress this week in both the House and the Senate. Last night, the Senate approved the measure by an 85-8 vote. Today, the House is debating the bill, which is expected to pass. H.R. 1 will further the implementation of the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations. Among other provisions, the bill shifts more federal funds to high-risk states and cities, requires more stringent screening of air and sea cargo, and designates funds to ensure that first responders can communicate with each other in the event of an emergency. “The bill will protect Americans from terrorism by addressing major security vulnerabilities and improving our defenses across the board against terrorist attacks,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The Democratic-controlled House passed its version of the legislation during the first session of the 110th Congress, and in March the Senate followed. Over the next several months, the compromise bill was stalled over partisan and jurisdictional demands. Conferees were appointed on July 19 and addressed unresolved issues last Tuesday, July 24. After its expected passage in the House today, the bill will move onto the White House for the President’s signature. The White House has objected to some aspects of the bill, including a provision that all container ships leaving foreign ports be scanned for nuclear devices. The administration, however, has not specifically threatened a veto to the final version of the bill.
Read more
House may pass security bill today
Anti-terrorism bill advances
John Doe Ok'ed By Dems
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| VOICES Website UPDATES |
Preparedness Updates:
7.24.07 "Fusion Centers" Miss the Mark in Counter-terrorism
According to the Congressional Research Service, the State-Federal intelligence "Fusion Centers" have strayed from their core counter-terrorist mission and failed in their primary objective to facilitate information sharing across the governement. The centers "have increasingly gravitated toward an all-crimes and even broader all-hazards approach," focusing on traditional criminals and local emergencies, according to the report, entitled . Also, The CRS report found "little true fusion, or analysis of disparate data sources, identification of intelligence gaps and pro-active collection of intelligence" at the 42 centers now set up in 37 states. In some cities, such as New York, the centers are working fairly well, with federal and local agents working side-by-side. But in many areas, investigators said, they are not. Read more in USA Today coverage. Click to read the CRS report.
7.24.07 Chertoff: Chlorine Loophole Could Pose Danger
 Homeland Security officials are urging water treatment and chemical plants to voluntarily step up their efforts to secure chlorine gas, which Iraqi insurgents have used in improvised chemical weapons. Water treatment plants were specifically excluded from stringent chemical security legislation because lobbyists for the industry convinced lawmakers that the new requirements would be "redundant." In a recent speech, DHS Secretary Chertoff urged water authorities to pay for whatever fences, cameras, and guards are necessary to "make sure that these dangerous chemicals they have on site are not stolen, because, unfortunately, if you look over to Iraq, you're going to see these kinds of chemicals wind up in improvised explosive devices." Chertoff has no power to do anything more than urge vigilance on the part of water treatment plant operators. Chertoff added: "For those of you who are not subject to regulation, I don't want you to breathe a sigh of relief like 'We're off the hook," Chertoff said. "You're on the hook, because you're going to have to do this yourselves until the time comes along that regulatory authority to address these is given to us or to some other agency," as quoted in Boston Globe coverage.
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