Rep. Long Island Rep. Anthony D’Esposito floated giving up to $10 million to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan, after his Republican colleagues argued that the site faces “profound” security risks because of a lack of funding in recent years.
D’Esposito (R-NY) will introduce the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act when the House reconvenes on Tuesday. The bill would provide one-time grants to increase security measures and fund free admission for military veterans, first responders and families of victims of terrorist attacks, according to a copy obtained exclusively by The Post.
“Given the ever-changing threat landscape in the post-9/11 world, it is imperative that the 9/11 Memorial and Museum be provided with the resources necessary to fund and expand their security systems,” D’Esposito told The Post. “It is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that these sacred spaces remain safe and secure so that Americans from coast to coast can continue to visit the site and honor those who lost their lives.”
“The threat that existed 22 years ago remains out there, and there are still bad actors around the world who would wreak havoc on this country again if given the chance, but this funding will go a long way towards thwarting those efforts and ensuring the professionals responsible for security at the museum has the full set of tools they need,” he added.
New York GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito floated up to $10 million in one-time grants for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, as the site has faced potential security risks due to lack of funding in recent years.Michael Brochstein/ Sipa USA
D’Esposito will introduce the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act when the House reconvenes on Tuesday to increase security measures and fund free admission for military veterans, first responders and families of victims of the terrorist attack.Getty Images
D’Esposito’s legislation would also provide free public admission hours at least once a week and implement annual federal audits to track site revenues and expenditures.
“Preserving and maintaining the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan is necessary to educate future generations about what happened on that terrible day,” the statement added.
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were the deadliest in US history when al Qaeda hijackers flew planes into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
Passengers on the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, fought off the terrorists and the plane eventually crashed in an empty field near Shanksville, Pa., about 20 minutes’ flight time from Washington, DC.
Former Rep. John Katko (R-NY) is now introducing similar grant legislation on a bipartisan basis for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, warning of low funding due to declining voter turnout amid the COVID- 19 pandemic.
“Preserving and preserving the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan is necessary to educate future generations about what happened on that terrible day,” D’Esposito said in a statement.Getty Images
The New York Republican also said the US faces a heightened threat following the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“After being at the 9/11 Museum the last few days with my wife and my colleagues, you realize how important it is that the museum remains open and serves as a beacon to the public that never forgets what happened on 9/11, and that it is an obligation to us to try and help them,” Katko told The Post in 2021.
“The security costs associated with this because of the bad guys who still want to harm us or damage the place are huge,” he added. “But given the fact that last year they had to close most of the year and couldn’t generate much visitor revenue, and the cost for security increased because of the increased threat environment, I think it’s reasonable for us to help them move towards sustainability.”
Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced similar grant legislation on a bipartisan basis for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.Getty Images
Katko said security costs for the site are close to $1 million a month and private funding largely keeps the memorial and museum going. His bill did not make it out of committee during the last session of Congress.
Curators fear the 20th anniversary celebration will lack the annual “Tribute in Light” to those killed in the tragedy, where twin blue beams shine nearly four miles high above the New York City skyline.
But state funding and private donations have been able to keep the annual honor going since 2002, thanks to the work of 9/11 Memorial and Museum chairman Michael Bloomberg.
Curators fear the 20th anniversary celebration will lack the annual “Tribute in Light” to those who lost their lives in the tragedy, which features twin blue beams that shine nearly four miles high above the New York City skyline. Rick Davis/SplashNews.com
The former New York City mayor also asked the federal government nearly a decade ago to step up its support, given the tens of millions of dollars needed to fund operations.
Last year, the National Park Service awarded the site just $2.75 million in grant funding through the Department of the Interior from an earlier bill signed into law by former President Donald Trump.
The White House provided $4 million this year to cover the cost of securing and maintaining the site through legislation.
In 2016, the GOP-controlled House passed a separate bill for $25 million in funding for the historic site but that legislation was never taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
