"It is hard to believe that a year has passed since one of the most horrific days in our city's and our country's history. It is a day that will be remembered for the thousands of New Yorkers that were needlessly lost. We also lost hundreds of uniformed men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice - giving their lives while saving thousands of others. Their courage, bravery and dedication will continue to be an inspiration for us all for many years to come. Whether or not we knew any victims of 9-11, they all became members of our families that fateful day. We will never forget their senseless loss and those they left behind. The aftermath of 9-11 also taught us an incredibly important lesson that everybody needs to remember in the days, months and years ahead. Grief doesn't discriminate against race, creed, color, sexual orientation or religion. We've been united by our grief and we need to stay united in our resolve to stamp out any kind of intolerance. From Bay Ridge to Brownsville, from Brighton Beach to Brooklyn Heights, from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Boerum Hill, our borough has shown incredible strength in continuing to move forward. And we must realize that we have a tremendous opportunity to turn this act of hate into an act of hope. The rest of the world can take a page from Brooklyn because we are the home to everyone from everywhere. And we've proven we will continue living peacefully as one. I believe the best way we can honor those taken so unfairly from us is to honor each other. Religions all around the world teach us that we are our brothers' keeper. And we must remember and live by this simple phrase every single day. The burning desire of men and women to live in freedom and democracy will never be extinguished."D ZERO TRIBUTE

September 11th was a day filled with many emotional tributes, but 11-year-old Brittany Clark from Crown Heights read an especially moving poem in memory of her father, Benjamin, who was killed while working as a chef for a food service company at the World Trade Center. Brittany read the poem at her father's funeral and at the World Trade Center memorial service on Wednesday.

I give you this one thought to keep, I am with you still, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on the snow.
I am as sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circle flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone, I am with you still in each new dawn.ROOKLYN

On September 11th, Marty was chosen to be one of the readers at the Ground Zero memorial service to honor all 2,801 victims. He also took part in an Interfaith Memorial Service in Brooklyn Heights that concluded by laying a wreath of remembrance on the Promenade. Marty, along with Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg, also stopped by Engine Company 205 / Ladder Company 118 to pay his respects to the finest firefighters in the world. The Middagh Street firehouse lost seven firefighters in the World Trade Center attack last year. The BP also walked with hundreds of Arab-Americans in Downtown Brooklyn to promote peace and tolerance in New York City and through out the United States. He was also on hand at the city's official memorial concert at the Propsect Park Bandshell to hear the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus perform a very special tribute. Finally, Marty participated in the Shore Front 9-11 Memorial Ceremony at Asser Levy Park in Brighton Beach with Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Senator Carl Kruger, Senator Seymour Lachman, Assemblywoman Adele Cohen and Councilman Domenic Recchia. BOROUGH HALL

On September 10th, the BP hosted a Brooklyn Clergy Breakfast at Borough Hall in celebration of the diversity of our many faith-based institutions. The purpose of the event was to strengthen the ties between these institutions, to listen to their issues and concerns and to encourage more interfaith dialogue that will benefit the entire borough. "My purpose in inviting you to Borough Hall is for us to get to know each other and discuss ways we can work together for the people of Brooklyn," said Marty. "We represent many different faiths and ethnicities. Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and meeting halls are where people of faith come together. They are the heart and soul of Brooklyn. Sharing our different cultures and customs combined with working together for the common good is what makes Brooklyn such a wonderful place."EADER

After battling cancer for many years, Warren Samuels passed away on September 9th. Mr. Samuels, 61, spent the last 15 years working as director of community affairs for the Department of Transportation. He was also president of the Sheepshead Bay Chamber of Commerce, the past president of the 61st Precinct Community Council and a lieutenant governor with the Mapleton Kiwanis Club.

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