The U.S. Senate on Oct. 1 approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to designate the new 1,300-mile September 11th National Memorial Trail Route. The bill on Oct. 5 was presented to the president to be signed into law.
“The September 11th National Memorial Trail serves as a symbol of America’s resilience and ensures that we will forever remember the sacrifices made by the many heroes and innocent lives lost on 9/11,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “I applaud the Senate for passing our bipartisan legislation to designate the September 11th National Memorial Trail, and I look forward to the president signing this bill into law.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick on March 29 cosponsored H.R. 2278 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to designate the route, which will link the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va., and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pa.
Once enacted under the bill, the route will provide for a tribute to the family members and loved ones who were victims of the attack and the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, including the first responders, according to the congressional record bill summary.
Additionally, the route will be “a trail of remembrance to honor the fallen” in a tangible way that keeps their memories alive and reaffirms the exceptionalism of America. And it will be a celebration of the nation’s resilience and perseverance since Sept. 11, 2001, the summary says, noting that the National Park Service will administer the route, though it will not be considered a part of the National Trail System.
H.R. 2278, which received unanimous approval from the U.S. House of Representatives on July 29 before gaining unanimous consent last week from the Senate, is supported by the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance.