WTC Victims’ Family Committee Expresses Concerns On Rapid Pace to Rebuild on Site of World Trade Center Towers :

The WTC Victims’ Family Committee today communicated its concerns to New York City officials and real estate developers about the rushed pace to rebuild on the site of former World Trade Center towers.

The following are comments by Jennie Farrell, Chairperson, Give Your Voice (and one of the leaders of the WTC Victims’ Family Committee):

“The Victims’ Family Committee’s primary objective in communicating to city officials is to keep the concerns of the families of those who perished on September 11th uppermost in the minds of planners, public officials, lenders, developers, and our fellow citizens who are involved in the planning and rebuilding process.

“As a result of the intense focus on determining what should now be built on the site of the World Trade Center towers, the Committee believes that little to no attention has been directed to the active efforts still in progress to recover the remains of human beings that remain buried under the rubble. Also overlooked or diminished by the rushed pace to begin development are recurring news reports regarding the recovery of remains of civilians and uniformed personnel. The recovery effort is very much still in progress and many of the victims’ family members remain hopeful that the remains of their loved ones will be returned to them.

“It has become increasingly difficult for family members who are still struggling with their tremendous losses to be rushed into defining their view on ‘long term plan’ for the site’s re-use. Obviously, the plan must include suitable Memorial elements to those who gave their lives on that tragic day.

“Let us keep in mind that the tragic events of September 11 were only five months ago. Funerals and memorial services are still being scheduled. Newspapers are still publishing obituaries, and profiles of those who died. Countless loved ones are hoping and praying that they, too, will be able to have funerals for their lost family members. It can cause great pain to hear about ‘ground being broken by a certain time’ when the recovery effort is still ongoing.

“The victims’ families understand there are many needs that must be met in the effort to clear the WTC area and plan for new uses of the site. But we are asking all involved to remember that there are families still in mourning, and indeed, that our nation is still in mourning.

“To paraphrase the words of President Lincoln – ‘…That from these honored dead, take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion and resolve that those who perished shall not have died in vain...’.

“Therefore, we are asking city officials and others in the process to let us first do what is proper and fitting for the families and to honor the memory of their loved ones. Let us not blur the recovery effort for those who were taken from us in one morning (on September 11th), and let us all remember that the effort to return them to their families is not yet over.”

Note: The WTC Victims’ Family Committee is the family advisory committee that was established during the administration of Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The Committee intends to schedule a press conference within the week to discuss the Family Committee’s concerns with representatives of the news media.