Endorsements

We cannot win the war on terror until we protect our borders. The 9/11 Families for a Secure America are a leading voice in the debate over our national security policy, and they are committed to protecting America from terrorist threats. The dedicated work and support of the 9/11 Families for a Secure America has led to many positive changes in our homeland security landscape, and they will continue to play an integral role in the fight to make America safer."

- U.S. Representative John Culberson (Texas) (July, 2005)

Thank you for your tireless efforts to build support for government laws and regulations that will better secure our borders and make it more difficult for terrorists to hide among an ever increasing illegal immigrant population.

While we all know there are no guarantees in life, your efforts have helped lessen the likelihood that other family members will have to endure the suffering you experienced on September 11, 2001.

Our country was born from adversity. Our strength has always been in the people who have stood up to it and persevered. I am honored to have worked with you on issues to strengthen our security and look forward to future collaborations."

- U.S. Representative Elton Gallegly (California) (July, 2005)

Wanted to thank your group for the powerful letter and to report on its impact.

I appeared personally before the House Committee considering the matricula consular card. This was the first time I have appeared before the legislature since I was Governor. (15 years) I consider this issue that important.

Your letter was very well received and a powerful reason that the bill got reported out to the floor of the House. The vote was 7-4. I am arranging for a copy to be placed on each legislator's desk the morning the bill is considered by the whole House.

Thank you for your time and effort. It was timely, articulate, heartfelt and effective."

- Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm (Colorado) writing about our role in passage of HB 1224, a bill to require secure I.D. in the State of Colorado. (Feb 11, 2003)

I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with 9-11 Families for a Secure America.

It has become the preeminent organization representing family members of the victims of 9-11... The tireless efforts of the members of 9-11 Families for a Secure America have made a decisive impact on the debate in the halls of Congress over homeland security and immigration reform and played an integral role in our recent success in making our borders more secure."

- Hon. James Sensenbrenner
Wisconsin Congressman

Madam Speaker, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 were truly one of America's darkest days. Terrorists using airplanes as weapons brought unimaginable horror to our homeland. Yet in the face of such tragedy, heroes emerged. Police officers, firefighters, emergency personnel and countless other American patriots helped their fellow countrymen survive that day and continue to make sure we never forget those lost that day. These American heroes brought out the best in human nature in response to an attack that brought out the worst in human nature.

Since coming to Congress, I've had the great pleasure to work closely with two of these American heroes. Peter Gadiel and Joan Molinaro, united by the loss of their children who fell victim on that fateful day and the great anger over why this nation couldn't stop it from happening, joined together and helped create an organization called 9/11 Families for a Secure America to help right the wrong that allowed terrorists to kill over 3,000 Americans 6 years ago.

Peter and Joan carry with them the voice of their children everyday, in everything they do, to ensure another tragedy of this magnitude never happens again to another son, daughter, father, mother, husband, or wife.

It is the purpose of 9/11 Families for a Secure America to inform and educate the American public, elected officials and legislators of the obvious and not so obvious shortcomings in our Nation's security. To focus their attention on the dangers of unsecured borders and lax immigration enforcement. They make sure the public understands that illegal immigration and terrorism are inseparable issues. The ultimate goal of 9/11 Families for a Secure America is to prevent future terrorist attacks and to secure our Nation for generations to come, because terrorists cannot plan and carry out attacks in the United States if they are unable to enter the country.

As we recognize and give remembrance to all those that lost their life on September 11, 2001, lets not forget the loved ones of these victims and the pain and sacrifice they've had to endure from their loss. Let's honor heroes like Peter Gadiel and Joan Molinaro who work tirelessly to ensure that another terrorist attack never happens again to another of America's children.

And that's just the way it is.

- Hon. Ted Poe (TX), US House of Representatives (September 10, 2007)
Entered into the Congressional Record