Congressman Joe Crowley as seen from the convention floor Tuesday night.
By Ray O’Hanlon
Congressman Joe Crowley stood at the podium on Tuesday night and spoke for the lost and still living of 9/11.
The New York congressman, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and a longtime supporter of Hillary Clinton, used his speaking time to focus on the events of 9/11, a day when he lost his cousin, FDNY Battalion Chief John Moran.
On the night that Hillary Clinton was formally declared the Democratic candidate for the presidency - thus becoming the first woman to ever head a major party ticket - Crowley delivered a powerful affirmation of Mrs. Clinton, one made more resonant still because he possesses a personal story embedded in contemporary America’s very worst day.
Republicans had been critical of the Democratic gathering in Philadelphia for avoiding any mention of ISIS.
Crowley named ISIS.
Of 9/11, Crowley spoke of trying to contact his two cousins in the FDNY.
“We had grown up together in working-class Queens, New York. They were supposed to be off duty. But, then the call came in.
Both brothers responded. Only one came home.
“On September 12th, I stood at what had been the World Trade Center. All that remained was ash and smoke.
My cousin, Battalion Chief John Moran, was listed among the missing, but deep down I knew he wasn’t coming back. Neither were the other 342 missing firefighters.”
The congressional representative for New York’s 14th District was feeling the weight of personal loss.
But he wasn’t alone.
“But, there beside me that day, was Hillary Clinton,” Crowley told the convention gathering.
“Hillary Clinton, the New York Senator. Hillary Clinton, my friend.
“She understood the pain my family, our city, our nation were under.
“She fought to help our city rebuild. And she delivered.
“People forget, but the assistance package that was first proposed didn’t have a dime for New York.
“Hillary helped turn that around – securing $20 billion we needed to get New York going again.
But, she didn’t stop there.
“Hundreds worked on the pile in the days after 9/11. They came first to find survivors, but eventually searched for remains.
“They didn’t worry about their own health. They were told the air was fine. But, it wasn’t.
“And when health issues emerged years later, Hillary Clinton was still by their side.
“She brought families and first responders to Washington.
“She took them door-to-door...never letting her colleagues forget the consequences of that terrible day.
“For almost a decade, Hillary never gave up, and she was there with us when the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was finally passed.”
Crowley then turned to Clinton’s Republican rival. Donald Trump.
He said: But, let me ask you something.
“Where was Donald Trump in the days, and months, and years after 9/11?
“He didn’t stand at the pile. He didn’t lobby Congress for help. He didn’t fight for the first responders.
“Nope. He cashed in - collecting $150,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses recover –even though days after the attack Trump said his properties were not affected.
“Hillary sought these funds to help local mom and pop shops get back on their feet. Donald Trump sought a payday for his empire.
“It was one of our nation’s darkest days, but to Trump, it was just another chance to make a quick buck.
“Hillary has never and will never forget the reality of that day. And that’s why she will never give up on making us a better and stronger nation.”
Crowley, with emotion in his voice, described Clinton as a proven fighter who had devoted herself to helping American families, American workers, and cops, firefighters, and first responders. Helping all Americans.”
He concluded: “And this is the Hillary Clinton I support. The one who has been in the arena - who knows what it takes to keep America safe and defeat and defeat and destroy ISIS - demonstrating the leadership and determination we need in our next president.”
