HARRISBURG – Legislation by State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would establish a statewide moment of silence in schools observing September 11th received a unanimous vote today from the Senate.
As a result, Senate Bill 869 advances to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The moment of silence would coincide with the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. Senator Pat Stefano (R-32), whose district is home to the Flight 93 National Memorial, joined Mastriano as a prime sponsor of the proposal.
“The vast majority of children currently attending our schools were not alive in 2001 when this premeditated and cowardly assault occurred,” said Mastriano, a retired 30-year combat veteran. “The bill will ensure our pupils always remember and never forget about 9/11.”
Mastriano, who was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1986 and retired as a Colonel, noted that Pennsylvania’s role in 9/11 should never be forgotten, evidenced by the sacred ground of Shanksville and the heroic sacrifices that transpired there.
He noted that the United States military continues to fight the nation’s enemies as an aftermath of that tragic event.
“Along with Senator Stefano, we are simply encouraging our schools to set aside time during the anniversary of Sept. 11th to reflect upon what happened and to educate our youth about the importance of the commemoration,” said Mastriano.
The measure included a pair of amendments by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), which would require the state Education Department to create model curriculum about the events of 9/11, and language by Senator Pam Iovino (D-37) that would establish a statewide moment of silence in schools observing the attack on Pearl Harbor.
CONTACT: spitzer@pasen.gov