New York State Laws

New law requires NY schools to observe 9/11 anniversary

By Carl Campanile  ; Published by  The New York Post

September 9, 2019 | 3:17pm

New York schools are required to provide a moment of silence to observe the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, according to a new state law approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Monday.

The law calls for a brief moment of silence at the beginning of the school day every 9/11 to encourage dialogue and education in the classroom among a new generation of students who weren’t alive during the 2001 terror attacks that leveled the World Trade Center’s twin towers and killed more than 3,000 people

The law goes into effect immediately.

“9/11 was one of the single darkest periods in this state’s and this nation’s history, and we owe it to those we lost and to the countless heroes who ran toward danger that day and the days that followed to do everything we can to keep their memory alive,” Cuomo said.

“By establishing this annual day of remembrance and a brief moment of silence in public schools, we will help ensure we never forget — not just the pain of that moment but of the courage, sacrifice and outpouring of love that defined our response.”

The law was sponsored in the legislature by state Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato — both Queens Democrats.

“Students graduating from High School as part of the Class of 2019 were just newborns during the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, and soon enough there will be no students in the national public school system born at the time of 9/11,” Amato said.

“By mandating a brief moment of silent reflection every year, we may ensure that future generations will better understand this day and its significance in our history.”