Flight 93 Memorial Plaque

The passengers and crew of Flight 93 learned that multiple commercial airplanes had been hijacked on September 11, 2001 and had crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon. Con-sequently, the passengers and crew appear to have overpowered the hijackers and caused the airplane's crash in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board. The 9/11 Commission concluded that the crash "saved the lives of countless others, and may have saved either the U.S. Capitol or the White House from destruction."

On September 13, 2005, Congress passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 26, 109th Congress, 1st Session, which stated that "the United States owes the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 deep respect and gratitude for their decisive actions and efforts of bravery." The resolution directed that congressional leaders "select an appropriate memorial that shall be located in the United States Capitol.”

The Architecture Division of the Architect of the Capitol designed the bronze plaque. It is approximately 114 inches high and 72 inches wide. Neoclassical elements, including the egg-and-dart border and two supporting consoles, are consistent with classical ornamentation found in other works in the Capitol. The bas-relief garland contains laurel, a symbol of heroism, and the wreaths contain oak, a symbol of bravery and strength.

The plaque hangs in the East Front Vestibule near the Capitol Rotunda. On September 9, 2009, it was unveiled during a small ceremony for Members of Congress and families of the passengers and crew. A larger anniversary memorial took place later that day in National Statuary Hall.

As directed by the commissioning resolution, the text of the plaque includes the names of the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

Text of the Plaque

In memory of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, whose brave sacrifice on September 11, 2001, not only saved countless lives but may have saved the U.S. Capitol from destruction

*Crew Member