Regenhard Center Mourns Passing of Congressman Sherwood Boehlert
The Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies at John Jay College in New York City is greatly saddened to learn of the passing of former U.S. Representative Sherwood Boehlert of Utica, N.Y.
Congressman Boehlert, Chairman of the House Science Committee from 2001-2006, assumed a critical leadership role into the investigation of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.
With NYC 9/11 families in attendance and with the input of Prof. Glenn Corbett of John Jay College and other national experts of “The Skyscraper Safety Campaign”, Rep. Boehlert’s committee held two hearings in March and May of 2002 which ultimately crafted legislation to create a federal ability and authority to investigate building disasters. In October of 2002, then President George W Bush signed the National Construction Safety Team Act into law.
Sally Regenhard, mother of probationary firefighter Christian Regenhard for which our Center is named, mourned Congressman Boehlert’s passing. “Congressman Boehlert was a true friend and advocate for the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. His efforts in creating a technical investigation of 9/11 has led to improvements in building codes, emergency evacuations of buildings, and emergency responses.
He will be truly missed by many, including the 9/11 families to whom he gave a voice – in calling for this federal investigation into the collapse of the World Trade Center.”
Regenhard added, “It has been an honor to know Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, an empathetic and intelligent individual whose great respect for science and research epitomized his commitment to the people of our country.”