Statement from Senator O'Mara on the 22nd Anniversary of 9/11

Elmira, N.Y., September 11—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) today released the following statement on the 22nd Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks:

“I join Americans across this nation to honor the memory of 9/11's victims and to keep their families, friends, and all loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

“We will never forget the heroic bravery of the firefighters and police officers, every first responder, and every citizen who gave their lives on that day.

“We can never forget the rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who spent week after week after week at Ground Zero in tribute to the ultimate sacrifice of their fellow men and women. More than 400,000 first responders, cleanup crews, and survivors spent days and weeks breathing in air heavy with toxins from 400 tons of pulverized concrete, glass, and asbestos at Ground Zero. Over the past twenty-two years, more men and women have died from their toxic exposure than the nearly 3,000 who were killed on that terrible day. FDNY members who succumbed to post-9/11 illnesses nearly equals the number of firefighters killed in the Twin Towers on September 11th. Fifty NYPD and Port Authority officers died on this day twenty-two years ago. Since then, more than ten times that number of officers have died from 9/11 recovery-related illnesses. More than 80,000 first responders are registered with the World Trade Center Health Care Program for monitoring, treatment, and support.

“The unimaginable death and suffering of this tragedy continue to this day, twenty-two years later, and we must always keep these post-9/11 heroes and their families equally in our prayers and support.”

O’Mara is taking part in 9/11 memorial observances today in Tioga County, at the First Responders Honor Park in Steuben County, and at the Ovid Volunteer Fire Department Parade & Ceremony in Seneca County.