MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND 9/11 MEMORIAL PRESIDENT
JOE DANIELS ANNOUNCE TRIBUTE HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS
AND RECOVERY WORKERS AND COMMEMORATING THE
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAY 30, 2002
May 30, 2002 Marked the Formal End of Recovery Operations at the
World Trade Center Site Following the 9/11 Attacks
New York, NY -- May 15, 2012 -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels today announced a special event recognizing the 10th anniversary of May 30, 2002, which marked the formal end of cleanup operations at Ground Zero. The event, to be held at the 9/11 Memorial on May 30, 2012 beginning at 6:30 p.m., will honor the thousands of men and women who came to the site in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The event is open to 9/11 rescue, recovery and relief workers, and their guests. Capacity on the 9/11 Memorial's plaza is limited, so those who wish to attend must register and reserve a pass online at www.911memorial.org/may30. The event will take place rain or shine.
"The efforts by the first responders and recovery workers at the World Trade Center site were nothing short of heroic," said Mayor Bloomberg, Chairman of the 9/11 Memorial. "New Yorkers and men and women from across the country came to our aid when we needed it most, and we will always be grateful. This event will allow us to honor the sacrifice made by so many."
"The story of the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center in the wake of 9/11 is an essential part of the history of the United States," said 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels. "Our gratitude cannot equal the sacrifices of these men and women, but it will be an honor to thank them on the 10-year anniversary of the end of their remarkable efforts."
The story of the rescue and recovery efforts will be one of the aspects of history preserved in the 9/11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. By registering for this event, recovery workers also will help build the 9/11 Memorial Museum's Recovery and Relief Workers Registry and Scroll of Honor, a permanent installation surrounding the Last Column, the last steel beam to be removed from the site on May 30, 2002.
"The monumental effort at Ground Zero showed the world that New York and New Yorkers would prevail," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. "The end of recovery efforts there was only one milestone in a continuum of service and sacrifice that continued at Fresh Kills and the morgue, and in the lives and deaths of those who contracted illnesses afterward. We will never forget all they did for New York and the nation."
"Thousands of FDNY members participated in the extraordinary 261-day rescue, recovery and cleanup effort and, unfortunately, far too many have died or become seriously ill due to their work at the site," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. "By marking this date, we remember and pay tribute to them and to all who selflessly and tirelessly worked at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of unimaginable destruction -- an effort that inspired the nation and the world. I commend the City and the 9/11 Memorial for recognizing this important milestone in our nation's history."
"The men and women of the Department of Sanitation spent months clearing more than a million tons of debris from the World Trade Center site and transporting it by land and water to the former Fresh Kills landfill for examination by law enforcement authorities," said Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty. "They also worked feverishly to reopen Downtown Manhattan and Wall Street by clearing debris and sweeping and washing away ankle-deep ash and dust left behind by the collapse of the towers. New York's Strongest were proud to be a part of the team that brought New York back from this terrible moment."
"May 30, 2002 marked the official end to cleanup and recovery efforts to reclaim the bodies of our friends, relatives and co-workers who were murdered by terrorists in an attack on the United States on September 11, 2001," said Captains Endowment Association President Roy T. Richter. "Those who perished on September 11 will never be forgotten. Many people responded to the call to service without regard to the toxic exposures suffered or personal sacrifice made, in defense of our country following the terrorist attack. While we remember an anniversary of the end of a cleanup and recovery, which was accomplished well ahead of expectations, we must also keep in our thoughts those police officers and other first responders who struggle with pain and life changing disabilities as a consequence of their selfless police service."
"The nine-month recovery period was led by extraordinarily brave men and women from New York and across the country," said Lieutenants Benevolent Association President Thomas Sullivan. "They will receive the recognition they deserve on May 30, and without them, the path to reconstruction at the World Trade Center site would have been impossible."
"I think it's a great tribute," said Detectives' Endowment Association President Michael J. Palladino. "We can never say or do enough for those who performed the rescue and recovery work at Ground Zero. They disregarded their own health and safety to save others and we are very proud of them."
"Recognizing the 10-year anniversary of the formal end of the recovery effort is a befitting tribute to the tens of thousands of brave men and women who toiled at Ground Zero for nine months after an unimaginable act of terror on this city and this country," said President of the Sergeant's Benevolent Association Ed Mullins. "Thousands of our members joined in this effort and we appreciate the city for honoring them."
"The events of that tragic day 10 years ago, the loss of 22 brother officers and a sister officer and all those who are sick today, continues to weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of all NYC police officers," said President of the New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Patrick J. Lynch. "A solemn gathering for all first responders is appropriate and may help some to deal with the loss, the pain and the suffering."
"The Uniformed Fire Officers Association representing the 2,550 FDNY Lieutenants, Supervising Fire Marshalls, Captains, Chief Officers and Medical Officers deeply appreciates that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has chosen to recognize the efforts of our members on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center cleanup," said Uniformed Fire Officers Association President Al Hagan. "Working alongside the other members of the uniformed forces for many months in a highly toxic atmosphere under adverse conditions, we were able to successfully complete the cleanup. The fact that the people of NYC will never forget the tremendous sacrifices that the members of the FDNY made on 9/11 helps to give our members the strength that is needed to do the dangerous work we do."
"We appreciate the Mayor and the City's recognition marking the 10th anniversary of the conclusion of cleanup operations at the World Trade Center site," said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy. "More than ten thousand firefighters and other workers toiled round-the-clock for nine months completing the cleanup a year ahead of schedule and more than a billion dollars under budget. More than 2,000 firefighters have since become seriously ill from their work at the site, while others have died. It is imperative that we recognize the important role that all those who worked at the site played in getting our city and nation back on its feet again."
"More than 800 City sanitation workers played a significant role in cleaning up the devastation caused by the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center," said Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association President Harry Nespoli. "In the first few months following the collapse of the buildings, City sanitation workers labored in 12-hour shifts digging up and hauling away the debris at Ground Zero. We also worked at dumps in Fresh Kills on Staten Island and at Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn, and loaded barges on the Hudson River, protecting the health of our citizens from the toxic mess left on that day of infamy. As always, we did what was needed to get the job done."
"The New York State AFL-CIO applauds the opportunity to recognize the brave men and women who so bravely gave of themselves during a time of national crisis," said New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. "We are proud to be part of the upcoming event to commemorate the end of the Ground Zero cleanup. Everyone involved in those heroic efforts deserves our undying gratitude."
"The recovery and cleanup of the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 is a testament to what government, labor and business can accomplish when we respond as one to our most daunting challenges," said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, which consists of local affiliates of 15 national and international unions and their 100,000 members in New York City. "The thousands of members of the unionized building and construction trades who served as volunteers and employees on this work viewed it as an obligation, not just a job. We were proud to have stood side-by-side with our brothers and sisters in the uniformed services in this spirit. It is certainly fitting that, on the 10th anniversary of the completion of the recovery and cleanup, we acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of all of those involved."
"We again have the opportunity to come together to recognize the courage and self-sacrifice of public service workers who dedicated several months of their lives to the recovery effort at Ground Zero," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. "On May 30, let us all come together and honor everyone who came to aide this city in its darkest hours."
"I want to personally thank Mayor Bloomberg and 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels for making this event happen," said John Feal, founder and president of the Feal Good Foundation, a non-profit organization advocating for 9/11 healthcare for recovery workers and first responders. "Ten years ago, as a nation we all witnessed firsthand the evil that exists in this world, but more importantly we all witnessed the good, and the sacrifice of so many great Americans. While we can never change history, we can embrace the heroic actions of uniform and non-uniform heroes who came together in the name of good for this great city and nation. To recognize and honor those lost and those sick from their heroic actions is simply a gesture of great proportions, and is truly humbling. I stand behind the Mayor and Mr. Daniels in full support and endorse this event that will honor not one, but thousands of heroes."
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, fundraising, programming, and operations of the Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. The Memorial and Museum are located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site. The Memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and is now open to the public.
The Memorial remembers and honors the 2,983 people who were killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two reflecting pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees. The Museum will display monumental artifacts linked to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning, and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks and the aftermath. It will communicate key messages that embrace both the specificity and the universal implications of the events of 9/11; document the impact of those events on individual lives, as well as on local, national, and international communities; and explore the continuing significance of these events for our global community.
For more information or to reserve a free visitor pass to the Memorial, go to 911memorial.org.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Michael Frazier/Sarah Lippman
(212) 312-8800 or press@911memorial.org
ABOUT THE 9/11 TRIBUTE CENTER
The 9/11 Tribute Center is located at 120 Liberty Street along the south side of the World Trade Center site. The center was created by the September 11th Families' Association to share the personal stories of victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan. By engaging visitors in the authentic experiences of those most affected by the events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, the center's five galleries and its walking tour program convey the efforts of those who responded to the tragedy and the steps taken towards working for a more peaceful world by many of those impacted by the events. Volunteer opportunities available for first responders. Contact volunteer@tributewtc.org for inquiries.
