Post by Steve Gardner on Jun 25, 2008 18:02:36 GMT
...INTO LAW
Key phrases like "The National Construction Safety Team Act will ensure that the mishandled evidence and in-fighting that hobbled FEMA’s World Trade Center investigation never happens again" and "[t]housands of tons of steel were carted away from ground zero and recycled before any expert could examine what could have been tell-tale clues" sets the tone for this apologetic press release.
For those who see this disingenous crap for what it it, it's further evidence of a cover-up. For the rest, how much longer will they accept stupidity as an excuse before considering the alternative?
Source: US House of Representatives - Anthony D Weiner
Key phrases like "The National Construction Safety Team Act will ensure that the mishandled evidence and in-fighting that hobbled FEMA’s World Trade Center investigation never happens again" and "[t]housands of tons of steel were carted away from ground zero and recycled before any expert could examine what could have been tell-tale clues" sets the tone for this apologetic press release.
For those who see this disingenous crap for what it it, it's further evidence of a cover-up. For the rest, how much longer will they accept stupidity as an excuse before considering the alternative?
Source: US House of Representatives - Anthony D Weiner
Washington, D.C. - President Bush has signed into law legislation sponsored by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) and Science Committee Chair Sherwood Boehlert (R - NY), and New York Senators Clinton and Schumer, to overhaul building collapse investigations. The National Construction Safety Team Act will ensure that the mishandled evidence and in-fighting that hobbled FEMA’s World Trade Center investigation never happens again. Rep. Weiner issued the following statement:
"No one would dispute that the attack on the World Trade Center could not have been anticipated. In many respects one can only marvel at the skill of the designers of the Twin Towers and the workmanship of the thousands of nameless steelworkers and laborers. Thousands of families will enjoy dinner together tonight because even under the most unimaginable of circumstances these proud buildings stood tall for more than an hour.
"But for the families of those lost this testament offers little consolation and leaves many questions about the causes of the collapse unanswered. And sadly, because of early missteps in the investigation, some of the most vexing questions may never be unraveled.
"Thousands of tons of steel were carted away from ground zero and recycled before any expert could examine what could have been tell-tale clues. Support trusses, fireproofing fragments and even burnt out electrical switches that might have given scientists and engineers insight were lost forever - even before an investigation was underway.
"These failures mean that we are short--even to this day--on conclusions about design decisions that may have contributed to the deaths of so many firefighters and workers on the top floors.
"Should future buildings avoid the concentration of stairwells that were used in the Twin Towers? Was enough attention given to the communications infrastructure that failed in the 1993 bombing and tragically left hundreds of emergency workers climbing stairs while officials on the ground knew that the buildings were about to come down? Did the fireproofing separate from the steel beams because of the intense heat or did the design of this post-asbestos treatment--that is in place in thousands of buildings--fail for other reasons?
"We cannot bring back those who were lost on September 11th. And today there are more than 25,000 mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, husbands, wives and loved ones who we thank God escaped that day. But if we want to ensure that the legacy of this tragedy is that future collapses are avoided or mitigated - we need to do a better job of investigating the causes.
"We pray that no other plane ever crashes into a tall building. And we hope that an earthquake never rattles our nation’s high rises. And we remain vigilant against the threat of a bomb in our city centers.
"But just as we are not satisfied to hope that another plane crash doesn’t occur, we need to create an investigative team like the NTSB to jump into action to investigate building collapses, protect and preserve evidence, issue regular briefings, and reach conclusions that formalize standards for building design, egress and emergency escape.
"Chairman Boehlert, whose leadership on this issue has provided comfort to all the victim’s families, and I worked closely to craft legislation to create this authority. I want to call particular attention to two particular reforms contained in this bill:
"First, just as the NTSB immediately sequesters evidence involved in a plane crash, our bill creates immediate on-site authority for investigators of collapses to have access to and preservation of important materials. And–if necessary–the new panel may subpoena materials.
"Never again will we see the destruction of materials and the legal jousting that marked the scene of the 9/11 attack, where even the blueprints of the buildings took weeks to secure.
"Secondly, the bill encourages the National Construction Safety Teams to make recommendations to improve the design of buildings, evacuation and emergency plans, and–I hope–give localities guidance to avoid the tragic pitfalls in communication that befell so many in the World Trade Center.
"We cannot mitigate the tragedy that befell so many of my neighbors on September 11th. Families of the victims–particularly Sally Regenhard and the others in the Skyscraper Safety Campaign–have asked that we do what we can to give meaning to their loss.
"Last month, New York, and all of America, paid moving tribute to those who perished at ground zero. An important step in the healing process for our Nation, and all of those touched by September 11.
"But this legislation is no less a tribute to those who were lost. Learning the lessons of our past, we do everything we can to make sure that the tragedies of the World Trade Center collapse are never repeated.
"One thing is certain: we will not stop reaching for the heavens in our lives and in our buildings. Today, we strive to make them safer."
