Washington - United States Senator Robert Menendez today released the following statement in commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

"Six years have passed since that fateful day when hundreds of our neighbors in New Jersey were taken from us and when our lives as Americans were changed forever.

"Today, families across New Jersey and across the nation will come together for prayer services, memorials, and other activities to remember all whose lives were lost that tragic day and to commit themselves to ensuring that we, as a nation, never forget.

"We must never forget the mothers and fathers. We must never forget the daughters and sons. We must never forget the sisters and brothers. We must never forget our friends and neighbors. We must remember each one of them through our actions and deeds. .

"Though the attacks occurred six years ago, there is still more work to be done in our recovery. I call on all Americans to also pay tribute to all of the workers - first responders, construction workers, and countless volunteers - who selflessly spent days and weeks at the various sites searching for survivors and for the personal affects of the victims. Many of these workers and volunteers are still suffering the health effects of spending time at the World Trade Center. We must honor those who honored the spirit of America in our time of need."

Menendez is the sponsor of The James Zadroga Act of 2006, which would amend the eligibility rules of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund by extending the filing deadline beyond the original December 2003 date, so that victims and first responders who became ill - in addition to their respective family members - can still be compensated. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), will also allow for adjustment of previous awards and allow eligibility to responders and families of responders who arrived to Ground Zero after the first 96 hours.

###