In the News

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) introduced legislation last Wednesday in the House of Representatives that would make September 11 a federal holiday.

The freshman congressman said he was in his first week of high school when the terrorist attacks occurred and the day had a profound impact on the country and particularly the New York metropolitan area, including the territory that is now in the 17th Congressional District.

“I think there’s broad bipartisan understanding about the need to reflect and honor those that lost their lives that day as well as our heroes who saved countless people and those of who are still suffering the effects of 9/11 with 9/11-related illnesses,” Lawler said.

Unlike when a similar measure was introduced in 2021 in the Senate by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) when there were no co-sponsors, Lawler received support from three of his House colleagues within the first day: Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat in the 18th Congressional District, the district that is directly to the north, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, a Long Island Republican, and Rep. David Tone (D-Maryland).

Instead, Congress has called the day a national day of service and remembrance, which was soon after called Patriot’s Day.

Lawler is hopeful that other legislators will sign on shortly. Blackburn is prepared to co-sponsor in the Senate, he said. The bill is heading to committee where it will be debated.

If successful, the same federal offices banks and schools would be closed just as they are for the 11 other federal holidays.

During his two years in the state Assembly, Lawler introduced a bill that would make September 11 a state holiday, but the measure failed to gain any traction. He is hopeful that his latest effort will meet a better fate.

“This is not about creating another day off, this isn’t about creating a sales discount at the store, this is about reflecting on and remember the most tragic day in our nation’s history, and I think especially coming from New York, and obviously we have so many folks in Congress who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and obviously our involvement there in Afghanistan (was) the result of what occurred on 9/11,” Lawler said. “I think there’s a lot of people who were impacted by that day and I do think there will be broad support for this legislation.”

In the past, arguments against making September 11 a national holiday include it being too close on that calendar to Labor Day and that paid holidays cost the government money. An Assembly proposal to make September 11 a state holiday in New York in 2002 was scuttled by the Senate after the state comptroller’s office estimated it would cost $43 million for the additional day off.

However, Lawler and other proponents of the legislation contend that with the 22nd anniversary approaching later this year there is an entire generation that wasn’t born yet when the attacks occurred.

“I think the importance of ensuring that people remember, reflect, honor is important,” Lawler said.

Ryan was in his second year at West Point on Sept. 11, 2001, and all cadets swore to never forget the people lost on that day.

“This legislation ensures the firefighters, policemen, paramedics and everyday citizens, many from the Hudson Valley, who died serving this country that early September morning or whose health was impacted in the recovery will always be remembered,” Ryan said. “To those who lost loved ones that day know this: I will never stop fighting on your behalf.”