Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for a new 9/11 memorial to be built honoring the first responders. The governor made the announcement before embarking on his annual motorcycle ride to the World Trade Center site. State House Reporter Zack Fink filed the following report.
An aficionado of souped-up cars and motorcycles, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has often climbed aboard his custom-made bike to help raise awareness of certain causes and events.
Each year on 9/11, for example, he has been joined by police officers and union workers for an annual ride down Manhattan's West Side Highway to the World Trade Center Site, which has finally taken shape after a long rebuilding process.
At a ceremony before the ride, Cuomo announced he will send a request for proposals to build a new, city-based monument to honor first responders.
"We are announcing today that we are going to build a memorial to the victims and survivors on 9/11, on this fifteenth anniversary, to say we will never forget and you will never be alone," Cuomo said.
He was joined by "King of Queens" actor Kevin James, who has a new show out this fall.
"I get to play a retired cop on a TV show now, but that's only because all the firefighters and police officers who are on the front lines every day who keep this city safe," James said.
The governor also signed legislation making it easier for workers and volunteers involved in the cleanup and recovery after 9/11 to seek lost wages and medical benefits.
"Everyone lost friends that day. And it just reminds me how fortunate we are to live in a country where people will do what's right, no matter what the cost is for them," said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy.
This is the fourth year Governor Cuomo has done this motorcycle ride, and the number of participants increases every year. They were anticipating 400 bikes this year but ended up with over 600.