Rep. Mike Grimm to introduce bill to make WTC cross a national monument

A New York congressman plans to introduce legislation that would make a national monument out of the so-called World Trade Center cross, FOXNews.com reported Monday.

The cross consists of two intersecting steel beams that were found intact in the rubble at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The cross was moved over the summer to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, but a group called American Atheists sued to block its display.

The atheist group claimed the makeshift cross had become a "Christian icon," which was being included in a museum without equal representation of other religions.

But Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) said the cross is "not about Christianity" and should be given national recognition even if it’s not in a museum.

"This cross was a symbol of comfort and hope for 9/11 first responders, for families, for all those that were part of this horrific, horrific terrorist attack," he told FOX News. "And it’s part of the healing process. It’s part of that closure, and it’s part of the history of that situation."

Grimm said he’ll introduce his bill to make the cross a national monument as soon as the House returns from its summer break Wednesday.