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Rep. Keith Ellison contributes to Sept. 11 Memorial Museum video

April 26, 2014 at 11:55PM

Kline (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Washington – The soon-to-open National September 11 Memorial Museum will include reflections from Democratic U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, on the effects of the attacks on the United States.

Ellison will appear in the "Reflecting on 9/11" exhibition, which features video segments from elected officials and family members affected by the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks.

The exhibit also will include recording booths, where visitors can contribute their reflections.

Over time, their thoughts will be added to the main presentation.

The museum is set to open May 21 at the World Trade Center site in New York City.

With the exhibit still under construction, museum officials don't have a breakdown of Ellison's exact statements, communications manager Anthony Guido said.

Ellison has spoken, often passionately, about the Sept. 11 attacks.

While testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee in 2011, Ellison wept as he told the story of Mohammed Salman Hamdani, a Muslim paramedic killed in the attacks.

Hamdani's heroism earned him a mention in the test of the 2001 Patriot Act, as an example of Muslim Americans who acted heroically during the attacks.

Corey Mitchell

Kline: Keep troop level over 10k

WASHINGTON – Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline said he will urge the Obama administration to keep troop levels in Afghanistan above 10,000, to provide Afghan security forces with intelligence and logistical support through the year.

Kline, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke shortly after completing a nine-day trip to the region with House Speaker John Boehner and several other House Republicans.

Kline said he's hopeful about the how the April 5 presidential election was handled, which is likely heading to a runoff between two candidates.

The runoff will come after the summer "fighting" season, which means the Afghan security forces will be stressed and may need additional help, such as equipment support, Kline said.

"There's a number that's being discussed," he said. "I'm very sure it's more than 10,000 to be able to do the job that's done … The day-to-day fighting will be done by the Afghans, but they need support."

President Obama has not decided on the size of force in Afghanistan after this year.

The top commander in Afghanistan told a Senate committee in May that the number may be between 8,000 and 12,000. The U.S. has maintained a presence in the country for 13 years.

Allison Sherry