Put It Above Ground

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2009

No. 92

www.nyc.gov

STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON INCLUSION OF $70 MILLION FOR 9/11 HEALTH PROGRAMS IN U.S. HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL

“I want to thank the entire New York Congressional delegation, especially Representatives Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Peter King, Michael McMahon and former Representative Jim Walsh, for securing an additional $70 million in funding for 9/11 health programs. Many first responders, community members and others who suffer from exposure to contaminants after 9/11 rely on this critical federal funding. The attack on September 11th was an attack on our nation, and we are grateful that our delegation and the Congressional Appropriations Committee continue to affirm their commitment to ensuring these programs remain intact and those who need the healthcare they provide get it.”

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Contact: Stu Loeser (212) 788-2958

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We lost one of our own yesterday as Beverly Eckert died tragically in the crash of Continental Flight 3407.

Beverly was one of the good guys.

She always put the good of all the 9/11 families before herself.

Whether it be pushing Congress to do a better job or helping out a 9/11 family in need Beverly was always there.

I had the pleasure of working with Beverly on a few occasions and her passion and determination were unmatched.

She led by example and was more concerned with results than headlines.

The world was a better place because of Beverly and she will be forever remembered as someone who actually tried to make a difference after 9/11.

Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Bev we loved you and always will.

Dennis.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
One of the most remarkable women I know was killed in the plane crash near Buffalo.

Beverly Ekert was widowed on September 11, 2001.

Since then she has worked to implement safer standards for us all and a for means of honoring all who died in that attack.

She was physically stunning, but her special qualities went far beyond that beauty.

She spoke softly and with respect.

She worked as a mediator, not a divider.

She disseminated information, gathered facts, stood with us in all our turmoil and worked for justice.

When I last saw her one week ago, we met on our way in to a meeting with President Obama.

When I saw Beverly was attending, I knew that the meeting would be kind, sincere and meaningful.

She put me at ease and made me feel hopeful.

I simply can’t believe she died such a violent death.

Such a sadness.

Diane Horning
Matthew’s mom
WTC Families for Proper Burial

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September 11th Advocates
In Honor of Beverly Eckert
February 13, 2009

We were shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of our friend and fellow activist, Beverly Eckert. We offer our sincere condolences to her family.

She will truly be missed.

Patty Casazza
Monica Gabrielle
Mindy Kleinberg
Lorie Van Auken
…………………………………………………………………………………

This morning I was given the tragic news that Beverly Eckert, a 9-11 widow was killed in a plane crash in Buffalo.

Beverly was a beautiful and brilliant woman. She was tireless in her efforts to advocate for the 9-11 families and was co-chairperson of the group Voices of September 11th.

A member of the Family Steering Committee for the 9/11 commission,

Beverly Eckert, 53, always said she wanted “something constructive” to come from the death of her husband,Sean Rooney, in the World Trade Center.

After urging Congress to form an investigative commission, Eckert championed intelligence reform legislation.

I feel blessed to have known Beverly when we worked together after 9-11 and became friends.

I admired her rare combination of eloquence, grace and determination.

Despite the painful loss of her husband Sean, she was a stalwart advocate and I was so proud of all that she accomplished for the 9-11 community.

As a friend, she was devoted, honest and kind. I was so impressed with her intrepid spirit when she went off sailing for a year and will sorely miss her beautiful spirit.

Please keep her family in you prayers.

Best,
Marian Fontana
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Beverly was aboard Continental Flight 3407 that crashed in Buffalo, NY last night. She was on her way to Buffalo to celebrate what would have been her husband Sean’s 58th birthday with family and friends, and to attend the presentation of a scholarship she had established in his memory at Canisius High School.

I am privileged to have known and worked with Beverly , whose own remarkable legacy of love bravery,Intenseness and devotion to the the 9/11 families should never be forgotten
God Bless!!

Bill Doyle

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It is with great sadness I am writing to inform you that our friend and colleague Beverly Eckert died tragically last night in a plane crash near Buffalo, New York.

After the death of her husband Sean Rooney on 9/11, Beverly joined me in co-founding Voices of September 11th to provide the 9/11 families a voice and advocate on their behalf. Beverly was passionate and deeply committed to improving the safety and security of Americans. She worked tirelessly to advocate for the creation of the 9/11 Commission and legislation based on its recommendations and more recently supported the implementation of the WMD Commission recommendations. Beverly was among the 9/11 family members who met with President Obama last Friday to discuss the closing of Guantanamo.

Beverly’s friendship, spirit and commitment were an inspiration to all those who had the privilege to work with her. It was an honor to know her and her friendship will be sorely missed. At this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences and our prayers to her family and friends and all those in the 9/11 community whose life she touched.

Warm Regards,

Mary and the VOICES Staff

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For Immediate Release
February 10, 2009

 
  September 11th Advocates
Statement Regarding
Guantanamo Quagmire and Accountability
February 10, 2009
 
The Military Commissions System at Guantanamo Bay was an attempt by the Bush Administration to create an “extralegal zone”, wherein the rule of law was ignored.  Many Guantanamo detainees were subject to detention without charges, rendition and illegal torture.  The Military Commissions System, which allowed evidence obtained through torture and coercive interrogation tactics, has been a dismal failure both legally and practically.  The Supreme Court has rejected the policies of this system each time it has reviewed them.  Because of the Bush Administration’s mistaken belief in its ability to craft a new legal system, which clearly created avoidable moral and legal challenges, justice may never be served.
 
President Obama has paused all proceedings at Guantanamo Bay for 120 days in order for his legal team to attempt to design a system in which the verdicts will withstand the scrutiny of the inevitable appeals process.  He is rightfully attempting to fix the quagmire that was created by the previous administration.
 
If, ultimately, the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay are unable to be properly prosecuted because of the fatal flaws in the system, then those in the Bush Administration who were responsible for creating that failed system should be held accountable.
  # # #
Patty Casazza
Monica Gabrielle
Mindy Kleinberg
Lorie Van Auken

Additionally, please see earlier statements.

 
 

 For immediate release
 January 23, 2009
 
  
    

 

 September 11th Advocates
 Statement  Regarding the Closing of Guantanamo Bay
 January 23, 2009  
 
  

 The  Guantanamo Bay Detention Center continues to be an enormous stain on  America’s reputation.  Newly elected President Obama has taken the  first step in removing this stain by keeping his campaign promise to the  American people.
   
 The temporary halting of  proceedings at Gitmo gives us the “audacity to hope” that President  Obama will be able to restore America’s good name, which has been  repeatedly tarnished during the past eight years.   
  
 We appreciate the tough decisions that  President Obama has been forced to make and admire him for taking these  difficult tasks on.  We look forward to hearing his plan for closing  Guantanamo Bay forever, finding a just way to try the detainees and  putting an end to this horrific chapter in America’s  history.
    
  # # #
  
      
 Patty  Casazza
Monica Gabrielle           
 Mindy  Kleinberg        
 Lorie Van  Auken

  
  
  
 Additionally,  please see earlier statement below, which further explains our  position.
 
    
  September  11th Advocates Statement
 April 3, 2008
 
 
 As  women whose husbands were killed on September 11 2001, we feel strongly  that the perpetrators of that horrific crime should be brought to justice.  But first it is imperative to prove that these six detainees are indeed  the guilty parties.
 
 Unfortunately, the Administration  insists on trying the suspects in the broken military commissions system.  Prosecuting these men within a system that is secretive in nature and  lacking in due process, and which uses evidence tainted by questionable  interrogation methods and possibly even torture, is a dangerous endeavor.  All Americans, and indeed the entire international community, must have  the opportunity to witness for themselves the body of evidence that ties  these individuals to the 9/11 terrorists’ plot. Otherwise the credibility  of any verdict will lack legitimacy. Moreover, unless these trials are  above reproach, any convictions will bring the wrath of the international  community, damaging what is left of America’s standing in the world.  Considering that we continue to rely heavily on cooperation from other  nations to provide us with intelligence information on would be  terrorists, this course of action can only be detrimental to these crucial  relationships, thereby jeopardizing our national security.  
  
 These trials, when they finally take place, will  be scrutinized around the globe. Unless the victims’ families, the  American public and the entire world can be convinced that we are trying  and convicting the people who are truly responsible for the 9/11 crimes,  these trials will be seen as a miserable failure, dimming our prospects of  improved international relationships, and making us more vulnerable to  terrorist attacks in the future.
 
 On behalf of  ourselves, our husbands, and our families, we support the American Civil  Liberties Union in its pursuit of justice and insistence on due process.   The only outcome worth pursuing is the truth, and the only way get  there is by fair trials that uphold the Constitution.   
 
 September 11th  Advocates
 
 Patty Casazza
 Monica  Gabrielle
 Mindy Kleinberg
 Lorie Van  Auken

February 6, 2009: 9/11and USS Cole Families Meeting with President Barack Obama
by Deputy Chief Jim Riches FDNY

President Obama met on Friday Feb. 6,2009 in the Executive Office Building with 40 family members from the 9/11 WTC, Pentagon, Shanksville and the USS Cole attacks.

President Obama came in and met each family member and shook hands and talked for a little with each family.

President Obama expressed his thoughts on our great sacrifice for the loss of our loved ones. He then explained that he had dropped the charges against USS Cole terrorist, but that he would not let him go free and would recharge him as he was an evil man and dangerous.

Next, President Obama told us that Guantanamo was a stain on the reputation of the United States and that many associated it with Abu Gahraib. He told us that the 9/11 and Cole trials were basically moving very slowly and not the way that he thought it should be going. He said he and his team of lawyers are looking over all aspects of cases and during this 120 day cooling off period, come up with their selected process of prosecution. My opinion is that he is not too happy with the Military Commissions and probably will move cases to another process or modify them. He cited the delays and Supreme Court decisions and then the prospect of overturn by appeal if the trials were to continue in Military Commissions.

President Obama then took questions from the family members for about 40 minutes.

Here is a sampling of some of the Questions & Answers:

Q: Consider keeping Gitmo open , have his team go there?

A: President Obama shot that down and said it will close within a year as per his executive order.

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Q: People were afraid of terrorists coming to US soil for trial ?

A: President Obama said that he was elected to protect us for the next 4 years and that he would protect our cities, twin towers, etc.

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Q: I told him that I, Deputy Chief Jim Riches, FDNY, picked up the bodies at WTC in 2001 and 2002. I saw the results of their evil actions. There has been no accountability after 8 years; I saw these thugs at Gitmo in 2009 admit their guilt, say they were proud of 9/11 and calling for Jihad in court, I asked him if there would there be more transparency and showing of the trials so that all of America and the world could see the outrageous behavior of these terrorists. I also asked him to catch Bin Laden.

A: President Obama said there would be transparency in his administration and the trials and would hope to not let these evil men be released and promised me SWIFT and CERTAIN JUSTICE and his job was to keep America safe.

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Q: concerns about classified documents getting in terrorists hands if moved to federal court.?

A: President Obama said they would make sure we were safe and keep classified documents away from them which would endanger America.

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Q: Torture evidence? What would happen?

A: President Obama said some evidence obtained by torture may not hold up in court, but they would craft solutions to this to assure guilty parties are not freed.

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Q: Can we have access to the numerous pages of 9/11 Commission reports that have been blacked out and never released.?

A: President Obama said he would look into it.

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Q: USS Cole families request 9/11 type Commission and also want to know why compensation from lawsuit that they won,has been appealed only by the Dept. of Justice?

A: President Obama said they would look into Commission and knew nothing about DOJ appeal and would get back to them.

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Q: Asked if the Hague could be involved in prosecution?

A: President Obama said probably not because it was for war crimes and very technical concerning terrorist attacks

President Obama promised to keep dialogue with families open as his aides will be liaisons and he took e-mail addresses and phone numbers of all in attendance. President Obama said he hoped to have 9/11 and Cole families as part of process.

Q & A: Again asked to keep Gitmo open and reconsider, but he said the Detention Center will be closed within 1 year as per his executive order.

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There were other questions , but the main point is he is against Gitmo and feels it is a stain on America.

Now, we must wait , he says no longer than the 120 days to find out his plan to prosecute and bring these terrorists to justice. President Obama promised “swift and certain justice!” President Obama said it is not the time to look back, but to look forward.

The families were all very grateful and thanked the President for taking time out of his busy schedule in these rough economic times while still trying to forge an economic stimulus package, to allay our fears, to answer our questions, console us, talk to us and let us be a part of the process.

I left the meeting feeling that President Obama was sincere in what he said. I believe that President Obama will assure the prosecution of those who have aided, abetted or committed acts of terrorism. Hopefully, the terrorists will be tried with the fundamental fairness as exemplified in the history of American justice. Only time will tell as we await justice for our loved ones who were MURDERED on 9/11/01.

We wish President Obama every success in the stewardship of our beloved country.

God speed. God bless America.

Deputy Chief Jim Riches FDNY father of Firefighter Jimmy Riches L114 9/11 hero

According to a news item in the Miami Herald the following individuals are meeting with President Barack Obama-

Debra Burlingame of New York. Her brother was the pilot on the hijacked American airliner that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

John Clodfelter of Virginia. His sailor son died in the October 2000 suicide bombing of the USS Cole.

Louge Gunn of Virginia. His sailor son died in the October 2000 suicide bombing of the USS Cole.

Kirk Lippold of Virginia. He was Cole commander at the time, now a retired Navy commander.

Valerie Lucznikowska of New York. Her stock broker nephew died in the World Trade Center.

Sally Regenhard of New York. Her firefighter son died at the World Trade Center.

John Riches of New York. His firefighter son died at the World Trade Center.

Adele Welty of New York. His firefighter son died at the World Trade Center.

Obama exchanges hugs, words with 9/11 survivors

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/breaking-news/story/891946.html

Obama meets with terror victims’ families

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29051428/

Obama meets with Sept. 11 families

http://www.newsday.com/iphone/ny-usguan0207,0,2438264.story?track=rss

Obama meets families of USS Cole, Sept. 11 victims

http://www.khq.com/global/story.asp?s=9803815

Dear Lower Manhattan Residents

This will notify you of an on-site incident at 130 Liberty Street with no impact to the surrounding area. Earlier today the pressure alarm on the 130 Liberty Street building standpipe was activated. The Fire Department (FDNY) and Department of Buildings (DOB) were notified and responded immediately. The FDNY and contractor examined the standpipe and determined that it had been cut.

All work in the building has stopped, and the building has been evacuated. Licensed plumbers are on site and working to repair the standpipe. Abatement work will not recommence until the standpipe has been repaired, and it has been inspected by FDNY and DOB.

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