State Senate Passes Legislation Ordering The Removal Of The Remains Of 9/11 Victims From Staten Island Landfill To An Appropriate Memorial Site

Senator Morahan sponsored legislationthatpassedthe State Senatewhich would require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to transport the ashes of victims of the September 11, 2001 ‘Attack on America,’ from their current location at the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, to a suitable site, where a fitting memorial would be built.

While the remains of many victims of the World Trade Center attacks have never been identified, approximately 360,000 to 480,000 tons of ashes have been transported to a 48 acre parcel of the Fresh Kills Landfill.

"This legislation is intended to rectify the indignity that families of victims have expressed, the result of having their loved ones buried in a landfill," said Senator Morahan.

Both New York and New Jersey need to pass identical laws. Presently New Jersey lawmakers have passed legislation requiring the remains of victims of September 11th be moved to Ground Zero, while the New York State Senate legislation mandates that remains of victims be moved to an appropriate location, to be determined by the Governors of the two states. Senator Morahan is working with New Jersey lawmakers in order to effect an amendment to the New Jersey law.

The Assembly will consider a companion bill (A.6818).

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