By Jillian Jorgensen Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND — City Councilman Vincent Ignizio wants city schools to take the “never forget” message often repeated on September 11 to heart: He has introduced legislation that would make a moment of silence in city schools mandatory that day.
The bill comes after the administration of Tottenville High School raised eyebrows this year by completely omitting mention of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“Clearly, I was surprised that this was not part of the requirements for schools in the city — we as a city suffered so much, and we speak about never forgetting,” Ignizio said. “I think that this rises to the level of a local law, and it should be mandated in the city.”
Ignizio doubts there will be much, if any, opposition from his colleagues in the Council — which means it’s just a matter of finding the time left in the year to get it passed.
“This seems pretty universally supported, I haven’t heard from anybody who has [an] issue with it,” he said.
If he runs out of time to get a hearing on the bill and pass it at one of the Council’s stated meetings, he’ll reintroduce it into the next Council in January — assuming he’s re-elected.
