Survivors Of 9/11 Should Get Canyon Of Heroes Parade, Rep Says

NEW YORK — It would be a celebration to never forget. A federal lawmaker wants New York City to throw a parade up Manhattan's Canyon of Heroes honoring the first-responders and others who survived 9/11.

In a Friday letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney argued the parade would let New Yorkers pay tribute to the people who helped the city recover from the infamous 2001 terrorist attacks before even more of them die.

"(O)ur city is unique in its 9/11 experience and I believe that, as our Mayor, you can help all the whole nation say 'thank you' once again," the Democratic representative wrote. "It is a small but meaningful way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families made and continue to make each day."

Maloney's letter comes on the heels of Congress passing the Never Forget the Heroes Act, a bill she sponsored to ensure first-responders and other 9/11 victims can get financial compensation for the rest of their lives. President Donald Trump is reportedly expected to sign the measure next week.

A parade up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes would bring first-responders just blocks away from the site of the former World Trade Center where terrorists killed more than 2,600 people, including more than 400 firefighters and law-enforcement officers.

Some 200 additional firefighters have died from 9/11-related illnesses since the attacks. More than 75,000 first-responders and over 20,000 other survivors have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides health care to people affected by the attacks.

"Rather than wait for eulogies to honor their service — and the sacrifice of all the 9/11 survivors — let us take this moment to celebrate their legacy of valor while they can be present to participate in it," Maloney wrote in her letter.

De Blasio, a Democrat who's running for president, hosted a Canyon of Heroes parade for the U.S. Women's Soccer Team earlier this month following their fourth World Cup victory.

De Blasio spokespersons Avery Cohen called Maloney’s proposal a “great idea.”

“We’ll be reaching out to families, first responders and advocates to put on a world class event to honor these heroes,” Cohen said in an email.