The events of this past week are almost too horrible to describe.
It was a terrible day in the United States as well as for all civilized people
around the globe. There is nothing that I can write about this act of war that
has not already been written a thousand times before. However, I received an
e-mail from Betty Schulz that fascinates me with its simplicity and appropriateness.
I have not read anything else that sounds like Betty’s idea, so I will use this
newsletter to "plant a few seeds" of thought.
Betty referred to my article last week, entitled "Reclaim
Governors Island." Here is a brief excerpt from that article:
Governor’s Island in the harbor of New York City is up for
grabs and could be sold to a private developer. In Colonial days the island
was originally owned by New York State, but it was given to the Federal
government in 1800 so that the government could build a fort there to defend
the city. The risk of invasion by sea has since been reduced, and the fort
was vacated decades ago. Now Congress has refused to return the island to
New York State. Instead, it has dictated that the island be sold to the
highest bidder. Many people object.
Last year, Gov. Pataki and other elected officials came up
with a plan to redevelop Governor's Island for the people. There has been
little progress. The federally owned island could be sold to the highest
bidder in October and lost to the public forever. Many plans have been mentioned,
including a casino or high-rise luxury apartments. Most of the rumored plans
feature no more public access.
Here is the e-mail that Betty Schulz wrote:
I read your newsletter and thought that Governor's Island
would make a wonderful place to memorialize yesterday's terrorizing events.
As a people, right now we need somewhere peaceful to somehow figure out
the whole mess that is unfolding.
The government already owns it, and it's a positive thing
to work toward.
I agree. What better use for this small island in New York Harbor
than to build a memorial to the thousands of people who died in this act of
brutality? Governor's Island is close to the location where the largest number
of people perished. It is in a location that millions of New York residents
and visitors could easily access. It is land that is available today in an area
where available land is almost impossible to find.
Betty Schulz and I both believe that Governor’s Island should
become a memorial to the thousands of people who died at the hands of barbarians
on 11 September 2001. I am sending the following e-mail to Governor Pataki of
New York and to each of my Congressmen. If you think this is a good idea, I
would strongly urge you to do the same.
Here is my letter to Governor George E. Pataki:
Sept. 17, 2001
Governor George E. Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
gov.pataki@chamber.state.ny.us
Dear Governor Pataki:
In these trying times following the deaths of thousands of people
in New York and elsewhere on September 11, I know that you are very busy managing
the state’s rescue and recovery activities. However, I am sure that both the
State of New York and the U.S. Federal Government will deem it appropriate
to construct a memorial to the people who perished on that day. I respectfully
submit that Governor’s Island in New York Harbor would be an appropriate place
for such a memorial. If you agree, immediate action is necessary.
Governor’s Island presently is for sale by the Federal Government
and might even be sold to a private developer next month if action is not
taken now. The federally owned island might be sold to the highest bidder
in October and lost to the public forever. Many plans have been mentioned,
including a casino or high-rise luxury apartments. Most of the rumored plans
eliminate public access.
Governor's Island is close to the location where the largest
number of people perished. Millions of New York residents and visitors could
easily access this location. This land is available today in an area where
land is at a premium. It could be a peaceful place where people could go
to contemplate the horrors and the meanings of this month’s tragedy:, to
remember those who lost their lives, to honor those who worked to save lives
and recover the city, and to rekindle their own commitment to the preservation
of our nation.
I strongly suggest the State of New York or the U.S. Federal
Government or both construct an appropriate memorial on Governor’s Island.
Regards,
Richard W. Eastman
I am sending similar letters to the two Senators from my state
as well as to all the Members of the House of Representatives from my state.
I will change a few words in the above letter, but all of the letters will be
similar.
If you agree with me and would like to support this effort, please
call, send mail or send e-mail to your Senators and your Members of Congress,
as well as to Governor Pataki. Please feel free to cut-and-paste words from
my letter, if you wish. However, I would suggest that you also add a few words
of your own to each e-mail or letter you send.
You can send e-mail to Governor Pataki at: gov.pataki@chamber.state.ny.us.
Please include your postal mailing address, as the governor’s staff does not
respond by e-mail. They will send you a response by U.S. Mail instead.
You can find your Senator’s e-mail address by starting at: www.senate.gov/senators/index.cfm.
Likewise, you can find e-mail addresses for the Members of the House of Representatives
by starting at www.house.gov/writerep/
Thank you, Betty Schulz, for this excellent suggestion.
Dick Eastman Online
