Dear Families and Friends,

We hope you enjoyed the holiday with your families and friends. As Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, "Spring is the time of plans and projects." That is certainly true here at VOICES! There is much to share with you, including information about special events and updates on issues important to the 9/11 community.

Airplane Security
Cathie Ong Herrera asked me to forward an email asking for your support of the petition urging the TSA to revoke their decision to allow dangerous objects, like knives, on airplanes.  Cathie is the sister of American Airlines Flight Attendant, Betty Ong, who was lost on 9/11 when Flight 11 flew into the World Trade Center. Cathie asks that you sign the "No Knives On Planes" petition, saying  "the safety of air travel for all of us who fly is an issue which is close to my heart."
 
Supporting Newtown Families
Last month, VOICES participated in a 2-day symposium held for the Newtown community, sponsored by the United Way of Western CT. We had an opportunity to meet with family members, responders, charitable organizations and government leaders. Other participants included representatives from the shootings in Columbine, the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and Aurora, Colorado.  Since the Sandy Hook shootings, several victims' families and Newtown residents have become staunch advocates for legislation to reduce gun violence. Family members of Newtown victims also participated in television commercials supporting  NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" which was released in conjunction with a "National Day to Demand Action."

Remains Recovery
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York recently announced that it is resuming the search for human remains from materials found at the World Trade Center site. Since they began the sifting process on Monday, April 1st, they have already found what appears to be a dozen human remains. The issue of remains is a sensitive one. Many of you have met with Dr. Hirsch and his staff at our annual Information Forums in New York City. For more than 11 years, they have met with our families individually, answered our questions and helped us choose a notification process. Frank and I have personally appreciated the sensitive and thoughtful manner which has consistently characterized all of our contacts with their office. The Medical Examiner's office has made the long-term commitment to working indefinitely, using new techniques as they become available, to identify all those who died on 9/11. Still today, over 1,100 victims have not been identified. We are hopeful that those families will be helped in this effort. As a reminder, if your contact information has changed, families should contact the Medical Examiner's office at 212-447-7884.

Military Tribunals
Karen Loftus, Director at the Victim Witness Program, asked that we forward you updated information on the military tribunals.  The next hearings in United States v. KSM et al (2) are scheduled for  April 22 - 26, 2013, a total of five days of hearings. Her email also provides information about cancellations and re-schedules that will be helpful to all who are considering attending the live feeds in the U.S.

As always, please contact our office if you have questions, or if we can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,