Week in Review

Rep. Ritchie Torres, NY-15

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today marks the anniversary of September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93. Thousands more have died since from illnesses connected to their exposure at Ground Zero.

The Bronx lost neighbors that day. Firefighters, police officers, and first responders ran toward danger to help others get to safety. Office workers and commuters were simply going about their morning when everything changed.

We honor their memory and carry it with us. We think of the lives lost, the families who have carried this anniversary every year since, and the survivors who still live with the physical and emotional toll of that day.

We also recognize the work still underway. The Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program continue to provide care and support to those affected, and anyone in our community who was exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero and has not yet enrolled can still access these programs. If you or someone you know needs help connecting with either program, my office is ready to assist.

This evening also marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. To those observing, I wish you and your families a meaningful and peaceful new year.

D.C. UPDATES

I sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the July 6 eviction of the Garífuna community of San Juan in Tela, Honduras, and the criminal prosecution of five community members that followed. Honduran police used tear gas and live ammunition during the operation, and although the five arrested were released within hours, they still face charges on land the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has already ruled belongs to their community. New York's 15th District is home to one of the largest Garífuna diaspora communities in the country, and I'm asking the State Department to press Honduras on due process, full implementation of the Court's rulings, and whether any Honduran security unit involved received U.S. assistance or training.

DISTRICT EVENTS

I had a great time at the Concourse Village Family Day, where we handed out backpacks and school supplies and kept the block busy with an ice cream truck. It’s always good to see so many families out enjoying the neighborhood together.

I joined NYS Committee Woman Joanna Edmondson, owner of Female Fight Club NYC, for a Mammogram Bus event hosted by the American-Italian Cancer Foundation. Free screenings like this make a real difference for women who might otherwise put off getting checked.

I joined leaders from Capital One and WSFSSH for a tour of Fischer Senior Apartments in Highbridge, home to 105 affordable senior apartments. It was great to spend time with the residents who call it home.

I was proud to celebrate 5 years of the Northeast Bronx YMCA. This branch has become an anchor for families across the community, and I'm looking forward to seeing it continue to grow.

A RIVER OTTER RETURNS HOME

This June, a researcher's camera trap on the Bronx River captured a North American river otter, the first documented in that river since the early 1900s. It is proof that a river once treated as a dumping ground for debris and industrial pollution can come back to life, and it did not happen by accident. Earlier this year, I led my Bronx colleagues in demanding accountability from Con Edison after leaks threatened the tens of millions of dollars in federal investment behind this restoration, and I joined our Bronx environmental nonprofits at Starlight Park to push back after the administration froze funding meant for Bronx River water quality work. Our district includes miles of the Bronx River, and an otter coming home is proof of what we can achieve when we refuse to let our progress be undone.

CONSTITUENT OF THE WEEK: ARTHUR KOVEN

I celebrated Arthur Koven's 100th birthday at a special tribute at the Riverdale Y. Arthur was born in Upper Manhattan in 1926 and has spent nearly his entire life in the Bronx, including the last 61 years in the same apartment building. He served our nation during World War II from 1944 to 1945, embodying the courage of the Greatest Generation. Arthur has been married to his beloved wife for 62 years, and their family has grown to include two children and four grandchildren. In retirement he has remained an active member of the Riverdale Y Senior Center, building lasting friendships and enriching the community around him. I was honored to deliver remarks recognizing Arthur's life of service, family, and resilience, and to wish him a very happy 100th birthday.

NY-15 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

This year, I'm launching the first-ever NY-15 Youth Advisory Council, a new program giving students in grades 9-12 across our district a direct hand in shaping the work I do in Congress. Council members will spend the 2026-27 school year building skills in public speaking, research, data analysis, and policy writing while examining how federal decisions affect the issues we face here at home. The council will meet ten times over the year, with sessions held both virtually and in person at our Bronx office, and students will have a real voice in the conversations that shape our community's future. Applications are open now through September 21, and I'd encourage any student who is interested in public service to apply at Youth Advisory Council 2026-27.

Thank you for reading and staying informed. Should you require any assistance, or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.

Sincerely,