Hastert's collection of Sept. 11 memorabilia on display

The horrors, condolences and tributes associated with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks can be relived through the experiences of Congressman J. Dennis Hastert for the first time at Wheaton College.

The college put a collection of the former Speaker of the House's Sept. 11 memorabilia on display over the weekend. The artifacts are part of the Congressional papers Hastert donated to the college in preparation for his retirement this November.

The display includes several books of condolences from Britain's House of Commons and the European Union Parliament and several photos.

"Nothing is as defining for this generation as the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, and what the Hastert Papers contain are the expressions of grief and support from around the world," said David Malone, head of the college's Special Collections department that houses the papers.

The display is free and open to the public in the Special Collections Reading Room on the third floor of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.