Politics & Government
Lower Makefield Eyes Fitzpatrick Tribute At 9/11 Memorial (ICYMI)
As a commissioner and congressman, the late U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick helped establish the 9/11 memorial site on Woodside Road.
LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — Officials in Lower Makefield are looking at ways to honor former U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick — who passed away last month — at the Sept. 11 memorial he helped bring into existence.
Ellen Saracini, a Sept. 11 widow and board chairwoman of the 9/11 Memorial Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, attended last week's meeting of the board of supervisors in Lower Makefield. She asked supervisors to approve a sign bearing Fitzpatrick's name at the memorial, at 1950 Woodside Rd.
She called Fitzpatrick an "early and ardent supporter" of the memorial, first as a member of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners and, later, as a member of Congress.
Find out what's happening in Yardleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"He was a model public servant, who worked to emphasize the service part of his career," Saracini said. "Whether serving in D.C. or Doylestown, Mike, on behalf of Bucks County residents, worked effortlessly."
Fitzpatrick, who represented Bucks County in Congress from 2005-2007 and again from 2011-2016, died last month at age 56 after a long battle with melanoma.
Find out what's happening in Yardleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Saracini said that, as a county commissioner, Fitzpatrick was influential in helping negotiate making the Lower Makefield memorial site Pennsylvania's officially designated Sept. 11 memorial.
And, as a congressman, he helped secure a $750,000 federal grant that allowed the site to be dedicated in 2006, on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Saracini asked supervisors to approve a street sign at the memorial designating the roadway leading into it as Mike Fitzpatrick Way. Supervisors were quick to agree to honoring Fitzpatrick at the site, but directed Saracini to discuss a memorial with township parks and recreation officials.
"You might see something that might be more fitting in talking to them about it," said Supervisor Dan Grenier.
Board Chairman Fred Weiss agreed.
"I'm sure this board will be favorable to whatever comes out of that," he said of discussions between Saracini and parks and recreation officials.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
