September 11, 2021
Dear Friends,
Like so many Americans, I will never forget that terrible day 20 years ago, when thousands of innocent lives were taken in one of the darkest hours in our nation’s history.
Yet from that darkness, our first responders, firefighters and police officers answered the call in an unimaginable way. They rushed towards the fire and destruction to save friends, neighbors and strangers.
Through their selfless response, these heroes risked their lives, some gave their lives, and two decades later, many more continue to suffer the lasting effects of their sacrifice and service that day.
Our first responders were there for us when we needed them most. Now we have a solemn duty to make sure their bravery is never forgotten. It’s why I fought for years in Congress to advance the Never Forget the Heroes Act, a law that extended the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund until 2092 and took long-overdue action to provide financial security and support for our 9/11 first responders, survivors and families.
We also have a duty to every American who lost a loved one that day, which is why I stand in strong support of President Biden’s order to declassify the documents related to the September 11th attacks. This needed action will help offer some transparency and justice for families and survivors who deserve to know the complete truth of that day.
During this time reflection and sorrow, I am also thinking of the strength of our nation’s troops, who responded to the 9/11 attacks not with fear, but with fierce determination. They put their lives on the line to defend our nation and all it stands for. Our service members achieved what they set out to do, hunting down those responsible for the attacks and making sure al Qaeda could not use Afghanistan as a base to launch another attack.
And after 20 years, trillions of dollars invested, and more than 2,400 soldiers lost, our men and women in uniform have at last come home.
The decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and put an end to America’s longest war was difficult, but right. It would be incomprehensible to sacrifice anymore of our sons and daughters to a war that no longer serves our national interest.
As we reflect on 20 years since that painful day in our nation’s history, I am struck by many things: by the heroism of our first responders, by the courage of our troops and by the resilience of the human spirit.
While we will forever grieve the incalculable loss suffered that day, we must also draw strength from the heroes who blessed us with the gift of their sacrifice. Their bravery fills us with hope, shows us the best that we can be, and reminds us to keep our faith in one another.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations on any and all COVID-19 related topics. With that in mind here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With many students across New York heading back to school this week, here’s the latest CDC guidance on how to keep your kids safe as they return to the classroom.
- The CDC page provides questions about COVID protocols and prevention efforts that parents and guardians can ask schools, including:
- Will you offer COVID-19 vaccination at the school?
- Are you requiring teachers, staff, or students 12 and older to be vaccinated?
- What happens if my child’s teacher gets sick from COVID-19?
- Are there procedures in place for contact tracing?
- For detailed information, check with your school directly for procedures they have in place to help keep students, educators, staff, and visitors safe. It is also extremely important to teach and reinforce healthy behaviors for your children. Talk to them about the importance of masking, distancing, and frequent handwashing so that they can make choices that help keep them safer at school.
- New Yorkers can also visit the newly-launched website ny.gov/vaxtoschool for resources to answer questions about the vaccine and stay informed.