Gohmert Sounds Off on Bloomberg Move

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement concerning the decision made by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg not to invite the first responders and bar prayer from the tenth anniversary ceremony of the September 11th terror attacks:

“Excluding the heroic Americans who responded with courage and strength of steel when faced with one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the United States is not only unpatriotic, it’s disgraceful. We are remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11 and honoring those who ran into the burning buildings that catastrophic day. These brave men and women make up the heart of America. When people were evacuating the World Trade Center running down stairwells, these patriots were running up the stairwells. They stationed themselves in the path of disaster; they saved the lives of their countrymen and comforted countless Americans in their last moments on earth.

“The first responders and those who would pray for them, should not only be invited to the tenth anniversary ceremony, they should be given the places of honor. Our country is only as great as the people who comprise it. Its my hope that Mayor Bloomberg will choose to honor the ones who voluntarily chose to put their life on the line for the security of this nation, while also bringing to the forefront those who can most effectively pray for them. Either Mayor Bloomberg and the memorial leaders are far smarter than the genius of Ben Franklin, or they too should be asked, ‘Do we imagine that we no longer need God’s assistance?’

“When the founders were bogged down and could get nothing accomplished for the first five weeks at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, they were reminded by Benjamin Franklin of what should be noted today: ‘In the beginning Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. . . And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. . .’

“That was followed by the proposal of Edmund Jennings Randolf of Virginia that all delegates attend together a sermon on July 4th, 1787, which resulted in the entire Constitutional Convention assembling in the Reformed Calvinistic Church to hear a sermon by Rev. William Rogers. Afterward, they reassembled with a different spirit and pulled together the Constitution. ”

Bloomberg has defended his move, citing space considerations, challenges with deciding which clergy would participate, and concerns with the event’s length. He additionally says the focus of the event will be on families of 9/11 victims. Also, according to media reports, a statement from the mayor’s office says city officials have promised to hold a ceremony at a later date to honor the 91,000 or so first responders and volunteers who helped in the preliminary search and rescue efforts and the subsequent cleanup in the ensuing 10 months.