BOSTON – Last week, Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) testified before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight in support of his legislation to formally recognize an annual September 11th Day of Remembrance. Joining O’Connor in testifying in support of the legislation were Hull resident Polly Rowe and Hull Fire Chief Chris Russo.
O’Connor says that if passed, S.2718 would direct the Governor to issue an annual proclamation observing the day and bring the Commonwealth one step closer to ensuring that the next generation fully understands the significance of that day.
“A Day of Remembrance is a meaningful way for us to send the message, 21 years later, that we will never forget, and we will treat every future September 11th with the same level of respect that we have for the past 21 years,” said O’Connor. “This policy will become more and more necessary the further we get from 2001 and I am hopeful that the committee will report the bill out favorably.”
“As a first responder of 40 years and someone who went to ground zero on September 11th to work on what was left of the north tower performing rescue recovery, I like many others made a promise to always honor and pay tribute to those who were lost,” said Chief Russo. “I believe now it is time to take action and share that as a nation we will never forget.”
The bill is now before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight and is awaiting their recommendation before moving forward in the legislative process.