Broad Channel, Queens – As the nation paused to remember the 14th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Broad Channel) received concerns from first responders and victims’ families that young generations were increasingly unaware of the tremendous loss and inspiring heroism of that day. In response, Goldfeder has introduced new legislation creating the September 11th Remembrance Day in schools across the state.

“For so many families in southern Queens and Rockaway, the sense of loss and pain that we feel each September 11th is still so strong. For us, it is the day a husband or wife, son or daughter didn’t come home from work. It is when so many of our police officers, fire fighters and first responders gave the fullest measure of sacrifice so that others could survive that horrible day. My bill will ensure that students in New York have the chance to learn about September 11th and appreciate what it means to everyone that lived through this defining moment in our nation’s history,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.

Assemblyman Goldfeder drafted legislation creating the September 11th Remembrance Day. The bill amends state Education Law to make special provisions for the observance of a “brief period of silence” each September 11th at the start of the school day in schools state-wide. According to the language in the bill, this would provide students with the “opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection” on the anniversary day.

According to Goldfeder, the bill was inspired by conversations with victims’ families and with first responders from the community. Goldfeder’s district includes one of the largest concentrations of uniformed police officers and fire fighters in the city, as well as most of the city’s volunteer fire departments and many employees at the old World Trade Center. Each year, Goldfeder attends multiple remembrance ceremonies throughout the community to honor the dozens of local victims that died in the attacks.

“After the tragedy that this city experienced on 9/11, it is hard to imagine that this day of historic loss goes unnoticed in the schools of this city and state. Currently, this is just another day in the school year that passes without any mention made of its importance. It should be unacceptable to New Yorkers that our next generation would not understand the significance of that day in history and to this city. Thankfully, Assemblyman Goldfeder has moved to correct this oversight with his legislation creating a ”September 11th Remembrance Day” to mandate a moment of silence in our schools to reflect on and remember this tragedy,” said Dan Mundy, Jr., President of the Broad Channel Civic Association and an FDNY Battalion Chief.

“As a parent of two young children, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure our children understand our history. It’s the only way to ensure a better, safer future,” concluded Goldfeder.

(YWN Desk – NYC)