Legislation Calls for 9/11 Remembrance Day in New York Schools
As the nation marked a few weeks ago the 14th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, a New York State Legislator has introduced new legislation turning the September 11 anniversary into a Remembrance Day in schools across the state of New York.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Queens) said he has received concerns from first responders and victims’ families that young generations were increasingly unaware of the tremendous loss and inspiring heroism of that day.
The bill amends state Education Law to make special provisions for the observance of a “brief period of silence” and the “opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection” at the start of the school day in schools state-wide.
“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. 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 Goldfeder. “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.”
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), Congress designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day,” and in 2009 (Public Law 111-13), Congress requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”