9/11 Federal Holiday Bill Introduced By North Jersey Congressman

NORTH JERSEY — September 11 would be a national holiday every year, under a bipartisan bill sponsored by a North Jersey congressman and one of his colleagues from Pennsylvania.

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the Patriot Day Act together. The bill would amend the U.S. code to establish 9/11 as a federal holiday.

The date of the deadliest attacks in America's history is marked annually as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, but it is not a federal holiday.

New Jersey lost 750 residents in the attacks, including many from Gottheimer's district in parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.

“Our nation suffered immense loss on 9/11, but in the face of great evil, Americans of all walks of life came together to support each other — especially in North Jersey, where we will always live in the shadows of those attacks," said Gottheimer. "By formally recognizing 9/11 as Patriot Day, we will make sure that we always honor the memory of those who lost their lives that day — and never give up our fight against terror."

Fitzpatrick and Gottheimer introduced the bill on Sept. 8.

“September 11, 2001, was a dark day in our nation’s history, but in even in the face of a devastating attack on our homeland, the American spirit proved resilient,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am proud to lead bipartisan legislation to recognize those who lost their lives on that day. We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”