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e-newsletter July 11 , 2008 |
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July 11, 2008
Dear Families and Friends,
Last week the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released a report assessing the status of the construction at the World Trade Center site. The report indicated delays in rebuilding that would directly impact the opening of the Memorial Museum. While we applaud an assessment of the complicated rebuilding plans, like most family members we were gravely concerned to read recent newspaper reports speculating about yet another delay.
In response to those reports, Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial Museum released a statement expressing his commitment to ensure the Memorial Museum remains on schedule to open its doors for the 10th anniversary. Yesterday Frank and I joined other family members in urging the Port Authority to make the completion of the Memorial Museum in 2011 a priority. I have included a link to the letters and the report below.
In closing, I’d like to share an article that was published about a workshop we held last month in Tampa, Florida. (Click here for the Article) The article conveys the emotional nature of our workshops as well as the inspirational and healing process the families experience when given the opportunity to memorialize their loved ones. We have a full calendar of 9/11 Living Memorial workshops planned this month in the tri-state area. In the coming weeks we will be traveling to New Brunswick, New Jersey, Long Island, New York and Wethersfield, Connecticut. Please note the schedule below and let us know if you are interested in attending.
We hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer weather!
Warm Regards,
Mary and the Voices Staff
VOICES Programs and events
This Week’s Teleconference Schedule VOICES social workers facilitate weekly teleconference groups for the 9/11 community. Below is a list of this weeks schedule. Monday, 7/14: Significant Others Group 11:00AM to Noon Monday, 7/14: Witness/Survivor Group 4:00PM to 5:15PM Tuesday, 7/15: Parents Group 11:00AM to 12:15PM Tuesday, 7/15: Parents Group 3:45PM to 5:00PM Wednesday, 7/16: Firefighter Mothers Group 10:00AM to 11:00AM Wednesday, 7/16: Wives with No or Older Children 11:30AM to 12:30PM Wednesday, 7/16: Siblings Group 3:15PM to 4:30PM
9/11 Living Memorial Workshops The VOICES team is on the road again, with upcoming workshops in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York. 9/11 families, rescue workers and survivors are encouraged to attend the 9/11 Living Memorial workshops. Reservations can be made by contacting Michelle Doherty at mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org or by phone at (203) 966-3911. In addition to workshops, individual appointments can be scheduled at our New Canaan, CT office. For more information on how to participate in the 9/11 Living Memorial project, contact our office or visit www.911livingmemorial.org.
New Brunswick, NJ Date: Monday, July 14 120 Albany Street Tower One, 7th Floor New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Wethersfield, CT Date: Monday, July 21st Noon to 6:00pm by Appointment
Mill Neck, NY Date: Monday, July 28th
9/11 living memorial Feature
Paul Benedetti
Actually Mr. Benedetti, 32, was a serious man, but made his wit "into a management tool" at Aon Corporation, where he was an assistant director of the client-relationship- services department. "I know that if he'd been trapped somewhere, he'd have been joking around, whatever the situation," his wife said. "Trying to break the tension."
Visit Paul's 9/11 Living Memorial Page.
INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY
Update on the Redevelopment at the World Trade Center Site released An update on the redevelopment of the World Trade Center Site was released on June 30th. Attached is the 34 page report which identifies significant delays and cost overruns along with key critical issues that remain unresolved. Click here to read the report
Letter From Joe Daniels, President - National September 11 Memorial Museum regarding reported delays in the opening of the Memorial Museum Click here
Joint Letter to the Port Authority of New and New Jersey In response to the recent reports of delays in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site, fifteen 9/11 family members sent a joint letter to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The families reinforced the importance of opening the National September 11 Memorial and Museum as originally scheduled in 2011 for the 10th anniversary. Click here to read the letter.
In the News
July 7th marked third anniversary of terrorist subway bombing in London This week marked the third anniversary of the July 7, 2005 terrorist bombing in London. Fifty two innocent lives were lost and hundreds were injured when four Islamic extremists executed suicide bombings aboard three London subway trains and a bus during rush hour. The anniversary of the attacks brings back painful reminders of how Americans felt in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. However, we are also reminded of the way our nation came together to show support for those affected and of the many ways we have since memorialized those who perished. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, survivors, and all those who felt the horrible loss of that day. Click here to read The Associated Press Story
New York Representatives protest firing of 9/11 Healthcare Czar Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler along with Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer offered their full support of Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who was recently fired by the Bush administration. As NIOSH Director, Dr. Howard administered federally-funded health care programs for 9/11 first responders exposed to Ground Zero toxins. Reps Maloney and Nadler joined with sick and injured World Trade Center responders who gathered at Ground Zero to demand that the Bush Administration reverse the firing. Click here to read the full article
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No matter what calamity befell Paul Benedetti in this life, his response was inevitable: a joke. Thus, when he escaped the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, fighting smoke as he made a harrowing trek down the stairs, "he never made much of it, except as an occasion for a funny story," said his wife, Alessandra. The joke involved a very large lady ahead of him, walking down the stairs incredibly slowly, blocking the way. 
Then there were all those voices from "The Simpsons," which he loved to imitate. Not to mention the office software he rigged so Homer Simpson's distress word -- "doh" -- popped up electronically whenever users made a mistake.