Washington (September 11, 2015) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the 14the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Senator Markey is a former senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee and leading advocate for aviation, maritime and grid security. 

“Today we commemorate the most horrific attack on our homeland since Pearl Harbor. It is a solemn day as we honor the men and women that were taken from family and loved ones too soon. It was loss felt around country, with a direct and profound impact on victims’ families in Massachusetts. The planes took off from Logan Airport in Boston with hundred of passengers and crewmembers, and our communities were forever changed. 

“In 2007, Congress passed legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. We will be forever in debt to the family members of victims who pushed for the creation of the Commission and who continue to advocate for the rights of workers, first responders and families impacted by the attacks. Eight years later, we’ve made progress toward ensuring a safer country, but there is more work to be done to fully implement the law. We must do more than simply prepare our defenses for the kinds of attacks we experienced 14 years ago; we must anticipate the loopholes that terrorists known and unknown could exploit and work to prevent another tragedy. 

“We must work to fully implement the provision in the 2007 law that I authored that requires 100 percent of maritime cargo containers be scanned for nuclear materials before they are loaded on to boats headed for our shores. I have committed to working with Secretary Jeh Johnson to take the steps necessary to close this loophole and ensure we meet the 100 percent scanning mandate. 

“We must also work to prevent attacks on our electricity grid by passing legislation to help secure it from the devastating damage from physical or cyber terrorist attack or from natural disaster. As we fight terrorists such as al-Qaeda and ISIL abroad, we must put in place the safeguards to protect our critical infrastructure here at home. 

“We will never forget the selflessness and heroism of the American people after the 9/11 attacks. This is a day of reflection where we can come together as a nation and share our grief but also honor our strength, resiliency and the power to always more forward.” 

###