Washington, DC (February 19, 2019) — Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing post-9/11 veterans and their families, applauds the passage into law of the 9/11 Memorial Act. After Congress passed the legislation, President Trump signed it into law in January.

The IAVA-backed bill establishes grants to help secure the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City for its millions of visitors. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), passed the House and Senate without opposition as one of the last acts of the 115th Congress.  IAVA worked with Memorial leaders and Congress over the last several years to help secure the bill’s passage.

“We appreciate that Congress finally acted to pass the 9/11 Memorial Act to help secure the National September 11 Memorial in New York City,” said IAVA Founder Paul Rieckhoff. “This important new law will aid the Memorial in educating the public and keeping the memory and sacrifices of that day alive forever. It is especially important to IAVA members for the public and future generations to never forget, and we hope to maintain this partnership in the future to ensure Congress continues this much-appreciated support.”

The Memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. Its 110,000 square foot Museum serves as the country’s principal institution for examining the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting the impact of those events and exploring the continuing significance of the attacks.