{"id":3231,"date":"2026-09-03T11:04:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T15:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=3231"},"modified":"2026-09-03T11:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T15:04:43","slug":"speaker-julie-menin-and-council-members-honor-25th-anniversary-of-9-11-with-funding-announcement-and-wreath-laying-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2026\/09\/03\/3231\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Honor 25th Anniversary of 9\/11 with Funding Announcement and Wreath-Laying Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Council\u2019s $1 million investment in the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum will fund free field trips for New York City students, with a focus on eighth graders, and expand educational programming<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NEW YORK <\/strong>\u2014 Ahead of the 25<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of the September 11 attacks, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members gathered at the 9\/11 Memorial this morning to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and announce $1 million in funding for the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum to offer free field trips to New York City students and for other educational programming.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A livestream of the event can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@NYCCouncil\/streams\">here<\/a>. Photos of the event can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nyccouncil\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Twenty-five years after the attacks, nearly one-third of Americans were born after September 11, 2001, or are too young to remember the day firsthand. Educating younger generations about the attacks, the lives lost, and their lasting impact on New York City and the world has become increasingly important.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, Speaker Menin and the Council secured $1 million in funding for the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum to expand education and outreach to a new generation of New Yorkers. This funding will go toward guided, self-guided, and virtual field trips to the Memorial &amp; Museum for New York City students, with a focus on reaching eighth-grade classes, while also supporting additional student and teacher programming for these schools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, it is more important than ever that a new generation of New Yorkers understands what happened that day and carries forward the stories of those we lost,\u201d said <strong>Speaker Julie Menin.<\/strong> \u201cMy own career in public service was born from the extraordinary resilience, bravery, and unity I witnessed from New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9\/11. Through this funding, we honor the lives lost and celebrate the New Yorkers who made profound sacrifices in the face of terror. I\u2019m grateful for our partnership with the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum as we work together to ensure that \u2018Never Forget\u2019 remains a promise passed from one generation to the next.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum is committed to our mission to commemorate the 2,977 individuals killed on 9\/11, educate the next generation on what happened, and inspire visitors with stories of service and heroism,\u201d said <strong>Beth Hillman, President &amp; CEO of the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum.<\/strong> \u201cThere are 100 million Americans alive today who are too young to remember 9\/11, and that&#8217;s why our educational programming is so vital. We\u2019re grateful to the City Council for their work on this critical initiative and appreciate Speaker Menin&#8217;s ongoing work to support the 9\/11 community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located at the World Trade Center, the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum tells the story of 9\/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Council-secured funding for the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum will go toward:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Guided, self-guided, and virtual field trips for NYC public school students, with a focus on eighth graders;<\/li>\n<li>Free audio guides for NYC student groups;<\/li>\n<li>Access to the 9\/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience; and<\/li>\n<li>Related training for NYC educators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11th, I can\u2019t think of a more poignant place to reflect on the lives that were lost that day, as well as those who continue to give their lives and suffer from the illnesses and other health consequences caused by the recovery work they performed at Ground Zero,\u201d said <strong>Deputy Leader Sandra Ung.<\/strong> \u201cThe 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum ensures that we never forget the tremendous human cost of that day or the extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness that followed. Making this visit alongside my colleagues is also a powerful reminder of the responsibility we share to work together to make New York City a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th terrorist attacks is a somber moment for New York City,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shekar Krishnan.<\/strong> \u201cEvery year we recommit to never forgetting the thousands of New Yorkers\u2019 lives lost and the families, friends, and loved ones affected. Two decades later, the toll of 9\/11 continues to affect survivors and first responders, which is why I was proud to join Speaker Menin in calling for answers on what our city government knew about the air quality during and after the horrific attack. Today and every day, our New York City Council will never forget and continue to fight for New Yorkers affected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwenty-five years ago, our city changed forever. We lost neighbors, first responders, and loved ones,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Eric Dinowitz.<\/strong> \u201cHere in the Bronx, we remember the victims of terrorism and the courage shown by our firefighters, police officers, and everyday New Yorkers who ran toward danger to save others. On this anniversary, I join my colleagues in honoring their memory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwenty-five years later, the pain of September 11th remains deeply felt throughout our city, and especially by the families who lost loved ones that day and in the years that followed,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Joann Ariola.<\/strong> \u201cToday, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives that were taken, we honor the courage of the first responders and everyday New Yorkers who ran toward danger to help others, and we reaffirm our promise that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. September 11th showed us the very worst of what humanity is capable of, but it also showed the strength, courage, and unity that defines New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLike all New Yorkers who lived through that day, I remember exactly where I was that morning,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Mercedes Narcisse.<\/strong> \u201cThere are many families in my district who lost someone and mark every anniversary and passing day without them. Children born after 2001 are adults now, and they only know September 11 from what we tell them. I&#8217;m joining Speaker Menin and my colleagues at the Memorial to honor the people we lost and to make sure the next generation of New Yorkers understands what happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs we mark 25 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center, we remember a day that changed this city forever,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Ty Hankerson.<\/strong> \u201cWe honor the people we lost and their families. We honor our first responders and those who answered the call to serve this great city when we needed them most. Even 25 years later, we have not forgotten, and we never will.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Twenty-five years later, the pain of September 11th remains deeply felt across our city, but so does the strength and resilience of countless New Yorkers,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Lynn Schulman.<\/strong> \u201cThat day was personal to me, having lost my dear friend Kathy Mazza, the first female Port Authority Captain, who died saving others.&nbsp; We also remember the thousands of lives lost and the countless others whose lives were forever changed that day. We honor the many other first responders who ran toward danger, and the survivors and families who continue to carry the impact. Their courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten and deserve our continued commitment and support. New York City will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwenty-five years after September 11th, New Yorkers still remember not only the evil inflicted on our city, but the extraordinary courage, sacrifice and unity that followed,\u201d said<strong> Council Member Frank Morano. <\/strong>\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Speaker Julie Menin for bringing the Council together at the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum to honor those we lost, those who answered the call, and the spirit of service that has defined New York ever since. September 11th is part of our city\u2019s history, but so is September 12th, when New Yorkers showed the world who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;25 years ago, when I was a young girl, September 11th changed New York forever. The memories of that day remain with me, as they do for many New Yorkers. So do the stories of resilience that came after,&#8221; said <strong>Council Member Virginia Maloney<\/strong>. &#8220;The courage of those who ran toward danger, the families who endured unimaginable loss, and the first responders and survivors who have spent decades living with the consequences. I watched my mother fight for those men and women, and from her I learned that remembrance carries an obligation. \u2018Never Forget\u2019 asks something of us: to honor the nearly 3,000 lives taken, to care for those who still bear the wounds and health implications of that day, and to pass on the story of how, in an hour of profound darkness, New Yorkers summoned extraordinary courage, compassion and grace.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs New York City observes the 25th anniversary of 9\/11, we must never forget the lives lost, the bravery of our first responders, and the impact of the attacks on our city and our country,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Harvey Epstein<\/strong>. \u201cSince over 2.5 million New Yorkers were born after September 11th, this means the need for widely accessible education and the preservation of this historic event is critical. I applaud Speaker Menin for allocating funding for the 9\/11 Memorial and free field trips for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In honor of the 25-year milestone, Speaker Menin and the Council have spearheaded numerous 9\/11-related programs and initiatives this year. Speaker Menin \u2014 together with Majority Leader Shaun Abreu; Council Members Phil Wong, Joann Ariola, and Oswald Feliz; and other partners \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2026\/07\/22\/3194\/\">launched a citywide initiative<\/a> to honor FDNY and NYPD personnel who died on September 11 with red (FDNY) or blue (NYPD) street signs, replacing the existing green street signs. In addition, Speaker Menin and the Council secured $4 million in additional funding for the Department of Investigation to complete and release its long-delayed report on 9\/11 environmental toxins, which will be key to delivering transparency for victims\u2019 families, survivors, and first responders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaker Menin was a founding trustee of the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum. She also previously served as chair of Community Board 1 representing Lower Manhattan, helped establish the World Trade Center Health Registry, and served as a board member of the 9\/11 Memorial Jury and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">###<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><em>Council\u2019s $1 million investment in the 9\/11 Memorial &amp; Museum will fund free field trips for New York City students, with a focus on eighth graders, and expand educational programming<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>NEW YORK <\/strong>\u2014 Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members gathered at the 9\/11 Memorial this morning to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and announce $1 million in funding for the 9\/11 Memorial &amp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><small><a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2026\/09\/03\/3231\/\">READ MORE<\/a><\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":273,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/273"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3231"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3232,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3231\/revisions\/3232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}