HOLT STATEMENT ON UNITED FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL

U.S. Rep. Rush issued the following statement in support of House Resolution 7945, which honors the people of Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Flight 93 Ambassadors for creating a temporary memorial for the passengers of United Flight 93 and urges the National Park Service to complete a national memorial by 2010. Eighteen New Jerseyans, including Todd Beamer of Cranbury, were among the men and women on the flight who prevented a fourth attack on September 11 against American citizens. The Resolution passed the House today. Below are Rep. Holt’s remarks. Video of the remarks can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEemJFbzN3w.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 795. This legislation of the gentleman from Pennsylvania honors the people of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Flight 93 ambassadors for creating a temporary memorial for the passengers of United Flight 93 and urges the National Park Service to complete a national memorial.

The men and women onboard Flight 93 prevented a fourth attack on September 11, 2001, against American citizens. Arming themselves with whatever they could find, they prevented the hijackers from mounting a potentially disastrous attack on a target in Washington, D.C. Without their sacrifice, it's very possible that many of us and the building in which we stand would not be here today. It's almost certain that many other innocent civilians would have died.

Of those brave souls onboard Flight 93, 18 of them were from New Jersey, including two from the 12th Congressional District, which I have the privilege to represent. One of those heroes was Todd Beamer, a respected businessman from Cranbury, New Jersey. He was a man of deep religious faith, a loving father, a caring and devoted husband to his wife, Lisa. And it was his famous phrase, ``Let's roll,'' that helped inspire our Nation to meet his high standard of shared sacrifice and to remind Americans in those dark days following September 11 that America would not just survive but America would prevail against hate and extremism.

Lisa and Todd Beamer's children David, Drew and Morgan Kay will grow up knowing their father's act of valor saved the lives of others. He will always be remembered as a hero, along with his fellow passengers.

Richard Guadagno was another amazing passenger on Flight 93. Raised in Trenton, Richard was the manager of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California, a truly outstanding person. He was on his way back to Eureka, California, after visiting his family in New Jersey and attending his grandmother's 100th birthday party. He too made the ultimate sacrifice.

I have long supported and worked to get funding for a national monument honoring the passengers and crew of Flight 93. People will be able to find inspiration as they look at this memorial and reflect on the essence of America, that Americans are willing to sacrifice much to protect each other even in the face of mortal danger. It will remind us that this is not the last time America will need heroes, that the survival of American ideals depends on ordinary people stepping out of their roles to act in ways that are extraordinary and courageous.

I strongly support this resolution and urge the National Park Service to complete this memorial by the 10th anniversary of that terrible day.

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