{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408983", "<span class =\"kicker\">Robbinsville TAPInto news article on Mayor, local officials, Congressman at flag display</span>'Celebrating the American Flag: Robbinsville Hangs New Flags on 9/11'", "2020-09-12", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Almost 100 area residents came out to show their pride in the American flag on the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the country. The group of veterans, families, men,women,and children from all walks of life showed the diversity of the community and unity in their support for the country.\r\nAt the event, Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried reiterated the importance of the flag saying \"itis the first thing you are given when you are sworn in to become a citizen, and the last thing when a member of the military pays the ultimate sacrifice.\"\r\nSpeaking before the group, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) honored the first responders who \"ran up into the buildings to save lives\" after the World Trade Center was struck by planes. He also remembered those who suffered serious, even fatal, illnesses as a result of their brave acts. Smith also said he remembered that almost every roadway overpass in the state donned a flag following September 11th.\r\nLocal veteran Mel Boyce spoke to the crowd about the meaning of the red, white and blue in the flag. According to the American Legion, the white stripes signifypurity and innocence; the red stripes stand forhardiness and valor; and the blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.  \r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nThe group walked together, manywaving flags, tothe Turnpike overpass on West Manor Way to rehang two American Flags. While doing so, numerous trucks and cars on the roadway below honked their horns in solidarity.\r\nThe Friday event at Community Park was organized by Robbinsville Township and the Robbinsville PBA local #344 after public outcry when flags were removed from the fences on overpasses by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.\r\nGovernor Phil Murphy quickly stopped the flag removalsayingI think we should be proud of our flag at every step, Murphy noted. I stand with the flag. PHOTO: Robbinsville Mayor, Council Members, PBA #344 and Congressman Chris Smith.\r\n(Credit Elizabeth Meyers)\r\n\r\nThis article originally ran in the Sept. 11 edition of the Robbnsville TAPInto can can be found at:\r\nhttps://www.tapinto.net/towns/hamilton-slash-robbinsville/sections/giving-back/articles/celebrating-the-american-flag-robbinsville-hangs-new-flags-on-9-11", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408983"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6875959224998951, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}