Thompson Statement Recognizing Beverly Eckert
(WASHINGTON) - On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security submitted the following statement in support of H.Res. 201, recognizing Beverly Eckert's service to the Nation and particularly to the survivors and families of the September 11, 2001, attacks:
"I rise in support of H. Res. 201, which recognizes the life of Beverly Eckert, a co-founder of “Voices of September 11th” and the widow of Sean Rooney, who was killed in the Twin Towers on September 11th.
Ms. Eckert worked tirelessly for “Voices of September 11th,” an advocacy and support group of widows, mothers, and children of the victims of 9/11, which served as a driving force for intelligence and homeland security in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. After the attacks, Beverly Eckert focused all of her emotions into organized advocacy for government accountability and future transparency to make our Nation more secure. Ms. Eckert was faced with opposition and indifference, but she continued to press forward in her fact-finding and preventative efforts.
Her strong, constant voice led to the creation of the National Commission on Terrorists Attack Upon the United States – or the 9/11 Commission. After the Commission’s formation, Eckert continued her mission by participating in hearings and demanding implementation of the Commission’s recommendations. During testimony as a member of the 9/11 Commission’s Family Steering Committee, Eckert praised the Commission for their efforts to completely inform the public as to the failures on September 11th through public hearings and reports. She also warned Congressional members and the White House in regards to the Commission’s recommendations that, unlike other commission recommendations, implementation of 9/11 Commission recommendations would be necessary because “there is no shelf on which they can be hidden.” To that end she successfully pushed for the passage of the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.”
In conclusion, Beverly Eckert was a tenacious citizen who nudged and prodded the leaders of this Nation to look at their mistakes and implement the steps to correct them. Ms. Eckert was not interested in partisanship, fear-mongering, or saber-rattling. She was a woman who made sure that the death of her husband and those who died on September 11th would not be in vain. In that process, she reinforced the message that you can make a difference and that we, as a nation, should not give into the fear of terrorism.
I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and formally recognize Ms. Beverly Eckert for her continued work to ensure that the victims and families of the September 11th attacks are never forgotten and to ensure that our country is protected from such attacks in the future."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
