Press Releases
Donalds Releases Statement On The 24th Anniversary Of The September 11th Attacks
Washington,
September 11, 2025
WASHINGTON – In recognition of 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, today, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) issued the following statement to honor the memories of the thousands of innocent Americans lost and to celebrate the heroic Americans who stepped-up for their fellow man:
RICK RESCORLA: Rick Rescorla was a Vietnam War Veteran and Morgan Stanley's Security Officer in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He was convinced that the World Trade Center was a target and conducted regular evacuation drills. Then it happened. Rick heroically stepped into action, saving 2,700 lives and went back into the South Tower to ensure no one was left behind. TODD BEAMER: "Let's Roll" Todd Beamer was a husband, a father, a Fresno State grad, and an Account Manager, but twenty-four years ago today, he became an American hero. Flight 93 was hijacked and heading straight for our nation's capital when Todd staged a revolt. On Todd's signal, passengers charged the cockpit, ultimately downing the plane. God bless Todd Beamer. WELLES CROWTHER: Welles Crowther was a twenty-four year-old Equities Trader, a volunteer firefighter, a Boston College grad, and a former college lacrosse player who worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Twenty-four years ago, he stepped into action. In his trademark red bandana, he traversed seventeen floors of the burning World Trade Center, fighting flames and saving eighteen lives. God bless "The Man in the Red Bandana." BENJAMIN KEEFE CLARK: Benjamin Keefe Clark was a lifelong Brooklynite, a U.S. Marine Corps. chef, a Gulf War veteran, and a graduate of the famed Le Cordon Bleu French culinary school. As the Executive Chef of Fiduciary Trust International's South Tower offices, he was responsible for planning meals and feeding more than 250 employees, but on 9/11 he became a legend. He was last seen on the South Tower’s 88th floor with three other people assisting a woman in a wheelchair. God bless Benjamin Keefe Clark. BETTY ANN ONG: "Pray for us." Those were the final words of Betty Ann Ong, the longtime American Airlines flight attendant credited with being the first person to alert authorities to the deadly 9/11 hijackings. Betty bravely remained on the line with authorities for more than 20 minutes as her flight was being hijacked and her critical information led to the first nationwide shutdown of all flights in American history, saving countless lives. Betty is an American hero and we will never forget her bravery on this fateful day. MOIRA SMITH: Moira Smith was a longtime NYPD officer, a wife, a mother, and among the first to respond to the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center. Famously described as having “the face of an angel and the heart of a lion" she was awarded, the NYPD Distinguished Duty Medal, the NYPD Medal of Honor, and was last seen evacuating innocent New Yorkers to safety. We will never forget her bravery. We will never forget her heroism. God bless Officer Moira Smith.
MICHAEL BOYLE: Michael Boyle was a champion marathon runner, an excellent softball player, and an FDNY firefighter from Manhattan. He was off duty during the morning of September 11th, 2001, but stepped into action when the alarms sounded, and jumped onto a firetruck with his fellow firefighters. Michael lost his life saving others when the first tower collapsed and his heroic legacy will never be forgotten.
RON BUCCA: As FDNY Fire Marshall and a U.S. Army veteran, Ron Bucca did not hesitate to answer the call to serve on September 11th. He climbed up to the 78th floor of the South Tower and attempted to rescue the innocent victims in the impact zone of United Airlines Flight 175 before the tower fell. Ron was a prime example of an individual who put others before himself. His heroic actions and service to our nation will never be forgotten.
FRANK DE MARTINI & PABLO ORTIZ: Frank De Martini and Pablo Ortiz worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and were inside the North Tower when it was struck. Instead of seeking safety, they chose to help those trapped on the 88th and 89th floors. They saved at least 50 lives by opening stuck elevator doors, clearing offices, directing people to exits, and aiding others amongst the dust and flames. Frank and Pablo continued to rescue employees of the North Tower until its collapse at 10:28 AM. They sacrificed their lives in order to save others and we will never forget them.
STEPHEN SILLER: Brooklyn-based FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller was on his way to play golf with his brothers after finishing his shift for the day. Over his scanner, he heard that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Stephen immediately called his wife, asked her to tell his brothers that he would catch up with them later, and went to retrieve his gear. Unable to use his vehicle to get to the Twin Towers, with 60 pounds of equipment on his back, he ran through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to the scene. Stephen lost his life in ultimate sacrifice to his country and fellow citizens. His memory will forever live on.
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