Representative Mike Lawler Leads Campaign to Posthumously Award Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal to 9/11 Hero Welles Crowther

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) is at the forefront of a campaign to honor the memory of Welles Crowther, a Boston College graduate who showed extraordinary courage during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Crowther, an equities trader, led a group of survivors from the 78th floor of the South Tower down to safety, saving as many as 18 lives. He then chose to return up the stairs to save more, ultimately losing his life in the process. The congressman's effort to recognize Crowther's heroism includes launching a press conference in Nyack, N.Y., Crowther's hometown, as well as introducing legislation to award Crowther the Congressional Gold Medal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Representative Mike Lawler is leading a campaign to posthumously award Welles Crowther the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for his heroism during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  • Welles Crowther, a Boston College graduate, saved as many as 18 lives by leading a group of survivors from the 78th floor of the South Tower down to safety during the attacks.
  • Crowther then chose to return up the stairs to save more, ultimately losing his life in the process.
  • The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizing individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States.
  • Lawler introduced legislation on September 19 to award Crowther the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow.
  • The congressman's office has a framed red bandana, a distinctive handkerchief Crowther wore while helping others escape, serving as a symbol of Crowther's heroism.

Statistics:

  • September 2001: The date of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in which Welles Crowther showed extraordinary courage.
  • 18: The estimated number of lives saved by Crowther's actions.
  • 1: The highest civilian honor in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  • September 19: The day on which Lawler introduced legislation to award Crowther the Congressional Gold Medal.
  • 78: The floor number from which Crowther led a group of survivors down to safety.

Sources:

  • U.S. Representative Mike Lawler press assistant Caroline Hunt
  • Allison Crowther, Welles' mother
  • Photo Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler