A modest proposal from Hawaii
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By the students at Kihei High School
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, November 9, 2001
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We, the students of Kihei High School, respectfully come to you with a
proposal. Being so far away from the tragedies that occurred on September
eleventh, we struggle to find a way to make a difference, a way to help the
nation recover from the shattering blow it has been dealt. All of America wants
to be a part of this, to share the burden of those suffering and to remember the
value of those lives lost.
Having read the news, we have observed that Americans have flown all the way
across the country just to stand next to what remains of the Trade Center, to
simply bottle a piece of the soil it once sat upon. People are striving to find
a way to somehow connect to this tragedy.
More than 200,000 tons of steel were used in the construction of the twin
towers, now lying in ruins. It has been proposed many times to use this very
steel in creating a monument commemorating the lives lost in this national
tragedy. The students of Kihei High School have approached this idea from a
different angle. We propose to start a grassroots movement to have the United
States Treasury mint a coin (such as a penny, nickel or dime) using the steel
from the New York Trade Center rubble. What better tribute to the men and women
who worked at the World Trade Center, the symbol of the American economy, than
to create a coin in remembrance of these people, making it a part of that same
economy.
Through the creation and circulation of this coin, we would be making accessible
to the entire nation a monument in remembrance of the blood, sweat, and tears,
the courage and fortitude of not only those victimized by hatred, but also those
of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in attempt to save the lives of others.
We believe that it is also important to create a monument on the site as a
historical reminder of the loss of life and as a testament to the American
spirit. Unfortunately not all concerned citizens will have access to this type
of stationary memorial. Not only will the production of a monetary memorial
allow every individual to carry a reminder of this historical event, but it will
also aide in stimulating confidence in the American economy, and show the world
that the people of the United States of America stand together, firmly resolved
to protect all of humanity's right to security and a prosperous future. We will
rise from the ashes of this great tragedy, united as a nation.
We appreciate your consideration on this matter and hope that we have won your
support in making this proposal a reality.
The Students of Kihei High School
Kihei High School
131 South Kihei Road
Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 875-0700
E-mail Nicholas Giaconi at nick@hgea.org.
Other contact persons: Cristofer Giaconi, Jana Kirby, Joshua McConnell
808-875-0700 school message
808-879-5288 resource lab
See related article in the Christian Science Monitor:
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