TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development today honored 34 men and women of the department who volunteered in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and leveled the twin towers in New York City 17 years ago. 

The honorees, many of whom worked for the department’s Office of Public Employees’ Occupational Safety and Health, assembled and delivered respirators to police, firefighters, construction crews and truck drivers at Ground Zero. They also passed out boots, jackets, and other donated equipment at the scene. One employee’s two dogs also helped in the search effort. 

“Seventeen years ago today, our country faced one of the gravest tragedies in American history,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “As Americans across our nation come together in service and remembrance, I am proud to honor and recognize the men and women who put their own lives at risk and volunteered in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I am grateful to the first responders such as police and firefighters who courageously responded on that day and saved others, and the men and women at the Labor Department who worked to keep those first responders safe. We will not allow unspeakable violence or hate to divide us but instead acknowledge that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and continue to unite as a country,” she added. 

“When those planes struck the World Trade Center, the world stood still for many Americans as we tried to wrap our heads around this senseless, unimaginable act. But others, a group of brave men and women from the NJ Department of Labor, sprang to action,” said Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “They took their knowledge, their abilities and skills, and their instinctive bravery to New York City where they assisted first responders in a seemingly impossible recovery mission at Ground Zero.” 

During the ceremony, a 4-foot by 3-foot aluminum plaque was unveiled, revealing the names of all 34 Labor Department responders, along with this inscription: “Service & Heroism: Dedicated to the brave members of Labor & Workforce Development who exemplified commitment to public service in the performance of duty at the World Trade Center following the events of September 11, 2001.” 

Of the employees who volunteered, 8 are still with the department and 18 are retired; the remainder either left the department or have since passed away.