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Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced legislation Thursday to commemorate the brave passengers and crew members aboard United Flight 93 who won what has been called the first battle in the war against terrorism - and according to many, likely saved the United States Capitol on September 11, 2001, from destruction at the hands of suicidal terrorists.
Congressman Kirk's legislation calls for a statue in the new Capitol Visitor Center to honor their sacrifice and remember their courageous uprising that was a defining moment on a painful day in America's history. The 'American Heroes Act' also calls on all 50 states to submit one statue depicting an American hero for the Capitol's new hall. The bill has 14 co-sponsors, including Jack Kingston, Chairman of the Legislative Branch on the Appropriations Committee, and Democrat Rahm Emanuel of Chicago.
"They boarded Flight 93 as strangers," said Rep. Kirk during remarks given on the House floor to introduce his 'American Heroes Act.' "Travelers thrown together in an impossible and terrifying situation where they rose to the challenge, made the ultimate sacrifice and saved countless lives in the process, Todd Beamer, Jeremy Glick, Tom Burnett and Mark Bingham were unknown to each other before the events of September 11th began to unfold. But the rebellion they led aboard Flight 93 to save the jet or make sure it didn't strike another target will be forever seen as an act of true heroism. It seems only appropriate that we honor these American heroes, along with the other passengers and crew members of United Flight 93, in the new Capitol Visitor Center standing today because of their heroic action."
The 'American Heroes Act' authorizes appropriations for the statue honoring the heroes of United Flight 93 and looks to each state's congressional delegation to lead the way toward bringing an additional 50 new privately-funded American hero statues to the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Kirk's legislation calls for the creation of an American Hero Commission made up of citizens selected by each state's congressional delegation. The legislation directs that high school students from across the country submit nominations for their state's American hero via an essay.
Each state's American Hero Commission will review the student essays and vote for the hero to be exhibited in the Capitol Visitor Center. American Hero Commission's from each state will be responsible for selecting the sculptor and private fund-raising for the completion of the sculpture.
"As we approach the third anniversary of a defining day in America's history, it seems appropriate that we recognize the supreme sacrifice of ordinary Americans who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances and performed an act of absolute heroism in defense of the innocent," said Rep. Kirk. "Our nation has known many heroes in its storied history - those who made great sacrifices for liberty, justice and the eternal struggle between right and wrong. In these challenging times, our children will be inspired and reminded of our country's strength and compassion as they select heroes worthy of honor in the Capitol's new hall,"
Since the 1860s, the U.S. Capitol has kept its basic form. Lawmakers debated additions to the Capitol for nearly 30 years but it was not until September 11, 2001, that the building's vulnerabilities became clear. The Architect of the Capitol designed an addition to securely handle millions of visitors and won approval for legislation, signed in 2002, that funded a doubling of the U.S. Capitol's size with a new Capitol Visitor Center - a $500 million facility underneath the Capitol's east lawn, scheduled for completion in 2005. Congressman Kirk is a member of the Legislative Branch subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee that approves funding for the operations of the Congress.
Congressman Kirk approached students at Stevenson High School for their early hero suggestions, "I was very impressed with the students and their nominations - political leaders, scientists, great artists. Based on the results of these preliminary suggestions, the new Capitol Visitor Center will soon be filled with an impressive array of American heroes nominated by our country's young people."
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is one of the most symbolically important buildings in the world. Home of the Senate and the House of Representatives for two centuries, the Capitol's storied history includes being burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored while continuing to stand as a monument to the American republic. The Capitol is also a museum of American history and art where one of the most popular tourist destinations is National Statuary Hall. Standing in what was once the Old Hall of the House, are two statues of prominent citizens from each state. These heroes are largely from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Visited each year by over three million people from around the globe, the Old Hall of the House was the meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years. Steeped in history, the original Hall was destroyed by invading British troops who burned the Capitol in 1814. After rebuilding, problems with acoustics made conducting business in the Old Hall difficult and in 1850 the Congress funded construction of the House's current chamber.
The fate of the historic Old Hall remained uncertain until 1864 when legislation sponsored by Representative Justin Morrill (VT), invited each state to contribute two statues of prominent citizens for permanent display in the room which was renamed "National Statuary Hall." The first statue was installed in 1870 and by 1971 all 50 states had contributed at least one statue. By 1990, all but five states had contributed two statues which were placed in the Old Hall. The expanding collection outgrew the Old Hall and today 38 statues are located in National Statuary Hall with the others located throughout the building for both aesthetic and structural reasons.
Contact: Matt Towson
847-940-0202
cell: 773-454-5396.
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