September 11, 2001: Twenty-Five Years Later, We Still Remember ... And We Will Never Forget

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge – huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.”  – President George W. Bush, in his televised address to the nation on September 11, 2001

Twenty-five years ago today, America came under attack when four commercial airplanes were hijacked and used as weapons of mass destruction by the Islamic terrorist organization al-Qaeda, resulting in the collapse of the Twin Towers at New York’s World Trade Center and extensive damage and casualties at the Pentagon. A fourth plane, reportedly bound for Washington, D.C., never reached its intended target as passengers fought back against the terrorists and forced a crash landing of the plane in a Pennsylvania field. Those passengers’ selfless actions helped save countless lives at the cost of their own.

 

Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on that fateful day, including more than 215 with direct ties to Massachusetts and more than 400 first responders who perished while saving others. We will never forget the many acts of heroism and compassion that took place on September 11, 2001. As we observe today’s somber anniversary, the members of the House Republican Caucus join with Americans everywhere to honor the memories of those whose lives were tragically cut short and were taken far too soon from their family, friends and loved ones on September 11. We will never forget them.

Rep. Marsi to Serve on Commission Reviewing Special Education Transitional Planning Services

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative John J. Marsi (R-Charlton) to serve as a member of a newly-created special commission that will review current practices and gaps in transitional planning services for special education program participants who age out of the system.

Created as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget, the 19-member commission will work to develop a comprehensive plan to address the needs of people with disabilities whose eligibility for services has terminated or will terminate because they are graduating high school or turning 22. The commission is tasked with recommending ways to improve transition planning services and outcomes for transition-age youth and their families or guardians, with a report due by September 30, 2027.

 “As the father of a teenage daughter with special needs, John knows first-hand the challenges these individuals face and the struggles their families often have to go through to ensure their loved ones are receiving the services they need,” said Representative Jones. “His personal experiences will be invaluable to the commission as it works to identify ways to better support families and improve the delivery of services to individuals with special needs as they enter adulthood.”

As part of its review, the commission will focus on assisting transition-age youth in areas such as residential placement, employment, habilitative and vocational rehabilitation services, and day program supports.

In addition to its legislative and gubernatorial appointees, the commission will also include representatives of The Arc of Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress; the Federation for Children with Special Needs; the Bureau of Transitional Planning within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; the state vocational rehabilitation agency within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development; MassAbility; the Department of Developmental Services; and the Department of Mental Health. The commission will be chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Kiame Mahaniah and Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, Jr.

Representative Marsi currently serves as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, which was created as part of the 2020 policing reform law and is focused on addressing the needs and challenges faced by the disability community in Massachusetts, as it relates to transportation, access to employment, housing, childcare and many other areas. He is also a member of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

A longtime former Dudley resident, Representative Marsi currently resides in Charlton. He represents the 6^th Worcester District, which is comprised of Dudley; Southbridge; Precincts 1, 2, 3, and 4A in Charlton; and Precinct 1 in Spencer.