But They Want Panel to Have Broad Mandate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of 9/11 families'
organizations said they were "very heartened" by yesterday's announcement that
the White House supports creation of an independent commission to study events
surrounding the September 11 attacks. But the coalition insisted that the
commission must have full subpoena power and a broad mandate to investigate
all relevant issues, including intelligence failures that lead to the attacks.
"We are very heartened that the White House has announced their support
for an independent commission. An independent, bipartisan blue-ribbon
commission with subpoena power is something that the victims' family members
have fought for during the course of the last year. Undoubtedly, there is a
need for an expansive and thorough examination into the catalogue of failures
that occurred on September 11, 2001. Such an investigation should include not
only the intelligence agencies and their failures, but also the other agencies
and institutions that failed the nation that day," coalition members said in a
prepared statement.
The statement went on to say: "We would like to thank the members of
Congress for their commitment and dedication to the victims' families during
the course of the last year. Giving the family members an opportunity to
testify and attend the public hearings of the Joint 9/11 Inquiry of the House
and Senate Intelligence Committees was of great significance to us all."
The coalition supports the independent commission proposal introduced as
an amendment to the Homeland Security Bill on Thursday by Senators Joseph
Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.). The Lieberman-McCain amendment
would create a commission, with subpoena power, that would investigate
intelligence agencies; law enforcement agencies; diplomacy; immigration,
nonimmigrant visas, and border control; the flow of assets to terrorist
organizations; commercial aviation; and other areas of the public and private
sectors determined relevant by the commission for its inquiry. The amendment
has bipartisan backing, and supporters believe it will pass in a Senate vote
scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The coalition includes Families of September 11, September 11th Advocates,
the Skyscraper Safety Campaign, and Voices of September 11th.
SOURCE Families of September 11
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Related links:
http://www.familiesofseptember11.org
CONTACT:
Stephen Push of Families of September 11,
office, +1-202-393-3996, or cell, +1-202-257-1252
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