U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today celebrated the awarding of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the executive branch’s second highest honor, to the late Richard Rescorla, a hero who helped evacuate people from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

“When Americans attempt to bring to words the heroism of that terrible day, Rick Rescorla is who we always remember. After the planes struck the Twin Towers, Rick disregarded announcements for his colleagues to remain at their desks and shepherded them out to safety. It was Rick’s steely leadership and calmness under terrifying pressure that saved at least hundreds of lives under his charge. When he could have escaped, Rick went back into the smoldering buildings to see if anyone else in his firm remained. He quite literally sacrificed his life to save others. To this day I’m proud to say he was a North Jerseyan. The label is overused, but Rick is a hero.”