Rep. Chris Smith cites WTC health figures and urges renewed vigilance at Monmouth County ceremony

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith spoke at the Monmouth County 25th-anniversary ceremony, memorializing victims and first responders and urging renewed commitment to public safety measures.

Smith cited public-health estimates during his remarks: "According to the World Trade Center health program, an estimated 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants in New York. 96,000 people have been diagnosed with physical and mental health conditions as a result of the exposure ... Over 9,000 people have died after 9/11 itself with illnesses directly linked to the attack," he said. Smith also noted that nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks nationally and that 147 Monmouth County residents were killed.

In addition to remembrance, Smith called for sustained support for intelligence and law enforcement efforts to reduce the prospect of similar attacks and stressed the importance of educating younger generations about the events.