Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

September 10, 2026

Determined to Remember 9/11 and the Unity That Followed

The most powerful tribute to the lives lost on Sept. 11 is to live the way Americans did on Sept. 12—united, generous and kind.

Now, 25 years later, that lesson matters even more as more than 100 million people in this country are too young to recall that day firsthand.

On that Tuesday, I was on the phone with a close friend in Atlanta while we both watched the Today Show. The first plane struck, and we told ourselves it must have been a mistake. Seeing smoke pour from the towers was chilling, and I knew lives had been lost. I glanced at my 1-year-old daughter, Shelby, grateful she had no idea what was unfolding.

When the second jet slammed into the neighboring tower, denial gave way to certainty: we were under attack. With relatives who travel often, I ended the call and dialed my husband, Leighton, hands shaking. As I found out my family was safe, I then dropped to my knees for the countless families searching for answers.

We stayed fixed to our televisions as the day unraveled in real time. The images were searing; the grief, overwhelming.

In the days, weeks, and months that followed, something remarkable emerged across the country. At the site that would be called Ground Zero, firefighters raised an American flag above the wreckage. Benefit concerts brought together diverse artists to support grieving families. President George W. Bush, in an FDNY sweater, threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium as a symbol of resilience.

Pride became action as blood drives, food collections, fundraisers, and interfaith services were hosted. Flags appeared on homes, businesses and cars. Bumper stickers read “Never Forget” and “Let’s Roll,” echoing the courage of Flight 93.  I remember placing an American flag on my home and thinking I will not let this act of terrorism change the way we live freely in America!

That resolve led to lasting change. The United States created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better prevent terrorism and protect our homeland. Today, DHS and its partners, including the Transportation Security Administration at airports, Customs and Border Protection at our borders and ports, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster response, work to identify threats, secure critical infrastructure, and prepare communities.

The National Terrorism Advisory System keeps the public informed about evolving risks, while prevention programs fund local efforts to stop targeted violence before it starts.  The 2026 U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy makes clear that the primary responsibility of the U.S. government is to prevent a mass-casualty terror attack on American soil, using intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, and other tools to disrupt plots and dismantle threat networks.

Remembering is not only about honoring the nearly 3,000 people who died that day as well as the more than 4,300 who later succumbed to toxic exposure; it is also about guarding against future harm and reclaiming the spirit that followed 9/11.

As more Americans grow up without direct memories of the attacks, visiting the three 9/11 honor sites – Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, and the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. – is essential to keeping the memory of that day alive. The locations serve as powerful, tangible connections to the lives lost and the courage shown by passengers, crew, first responders and ordinary citizens.

I continue to take my kids to New York and walk the memorial plaza because seeing the reflecting pools where the Twin Towers stood, reading the names, and experiencing the scale of loss in person creates a deeper understanding than any textbook can. These visits open space for honest, age-appropriate conversations about sacrifice, unity, and resilience—values that remain just as important 25 years later.

Living in Pennsylvania, the Flight 93 National Memorial holds special significance as it is where one of the first acts of terrorism on U.S. soil unfolded and where ordinary passengers chose to act, preventing further tragedy. Standing on that hallowed ground helped my children grasp how history happened close to home and how courage can emerge in the most unexpected moments. Making that pilgrimage, alongside our trips to New York and the Pentagon, ensures they carry forward not just the facts of 9/11, but the human stories and lessons that define it.

In my work representing you in Harrisburg, I engage daily with people who strongly disagree with me. That is a freedom many around the world do not have. But freedom carries duty. 

On this 25th anniversary, let us choose unity where there is division, courage where there is fear, and hope where there is despair.  Let us turn memory into service—volunteering, giving, mentoring, and practicing everyday kindness, while always supporting the professionals who keep us safe.

By doing so, we extend the values of Sept. 12 to those too young, or not yet born, to remember the fear of Sept. 11, 2001—and ensure that the day after defines us more than the day itself.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
 
Be Prepared! – Another important impact from 9/11 is importance of remaining prepared for any disaster. September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” highlights preparedness as a civic responsibility and patriotic duty.

In the face of disasters like tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes, Americans can take simple, practical steps to keep themselves and their families safe. By proactively preparing, Americans make the nation stronger and more resilient.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign offers these simple, affordable steps to help you stand ready: 
• Be in the know. Make sure you know where to get information when you need it most. Sign up for your community’s warning system and download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources.
• Make a plan to keep you and your family, including pets, safe and prepared. The plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information.
• Build a kit with the essential items your family needs to stay safe and comfortable if something happens.
• Be there for your community. From volunteering in your community to learning skills like first aid and CPR, you can take steps to prepare for disasters and keep your family safe and make your neighborhood and community more resilient. 

Learn more at Ready.gov/stand-ready. 

Senior Expo Planned for Sept. 17 - Between the many exhibitors, health screenings, prescription drug take back and door prizes, seniors do not want to miss the annual Senior Expo I am hosting with Sen. Joe Pittman and Rep. Abby Major! The fun takes place on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lower Burrell VFW, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road in Lower Burrell.
 
Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar on Oct. 8 - Interested in learning more about the laws and regulations related to firearms? Mark your calendar and come to my Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar! It will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, 6-8 p.m., at the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department, 2360 PA Route 66, Delmont. Firearms Owners Against Crime’s Jim Stoker will lead the discussion and be ready to answer questions. Registration is suggested but not required. Walk-ins are welcome. To register, call the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or email aadams@pahousegop.com.
 


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com