Western Queens Gazette – April 23, 2015
With the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act due to expire within the next 16 months, leaving thousands of World Trade Center cleanup workers midway in their recuperation, a bipartisan group of lawmakers from across the country pulled together last week to introduce a new, reauthorized, bipartisan Zadroga Act to permanently extend the original programs.
Leading the way to rescue the critically needed health rehabilitation programs were United States Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, both New York Democrats, and Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mark Kirk (Illinois), both Republicans.
On the House side, the original sponsors of the Zadroga Act, Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney (D–Queens/Manhattan), Jerrold Nadler (D–Manhattan) and Peter King (R–LI), sponsored the new Zadroga Act, as they did before.
Heading an army of co-sponsors from all over the United States and both political parties, were the Queens contingent of congressmembers including Congressmembers Joseph Crowley, Grace Meng, Gregory Meeks, Nydia Velazquez, Hakeem Jeffries, and Steve Israel – all Democrats. Jeffries, from Brooklyn, has a piece of Ozone Park; and Israel hails from Long Island and his district includes Northeast Queens.
Schumer commented: “Alongside my New York colleagues, and a group of bipartisan senators from states as far-flung as Illinois and Alaska, I will fight to renew and strengthen the health program that serves the first responder heroes of 9/11. The people who rushed to the towers on 9/11 and in the days and weeks after are veterans of the ‘War on Terror,’ and in this country we take care of our veterans – no ifs, ands or buts.”
Gillibrand said, “Nearly 14 years ago, we relied on our first responders to lead the rescue and recovery work at Ground Zero, in Shanksville and at the Pentagon – and we cannot turn our back now when they need us most. Just four years ago, Congress came together to ensure that the heroes of 9/11 – the first responders and survivors, including area residents, workers, and children, who now live in all 50 states – receive the health care and compensation they deserve.”
Maloney declared, “We made a promise on September 11, not only to rebuild, and pursue justice against those who attacked us, but to care for the injured and their families, and the first responders and volunteers who risked everything to help others in the wake of the attacks. Our commitment to “never forget” knew no bonds or party lines when joined in unison on the steps of the Capitol back in 2001, and it doesn’t today. Those who were there at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville continue to suffer the consequences. We must let them know they are not alone – America stands with these heroes. We must reauthorize the Zadroga Act.”
Crowley stated, “We have a moral responsibility to continue caring for those who honorably served our nation at a time of great need. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act has brought much-needed assistance to thousands of people and must be reauthorized to ensure that support will continue to be there. We simply can’t afford to quit on the men and women who wouldn’t quit on our country when we needed them most.”
Meng stated: “On September 11, our brave first responders answered the call, and now, nearly 14 years after that horrible day, we must not turn our backs on the heroes who were sickened or injured while working at Ground Zero.
“We can never thank our first responders enough for all they did on 9/11 and all that they continue to do each and every day to keep us safe. Survivors and responders in New York and across the country continue to require critical medical care from the toxins that they were exposed to, and we must never, ever abandon them. I call on Congress to immediately renew and extend these vital programs.”
King stated, “With two critical programs set to expire within the next 18 months and still too many of our 9/11 responders and survivors continuing to fight serious illnesses, it is imperative that we renew and extend the Zadroga Act. We have come too far and we must continue to ensure that our 9/11 heroes receive the care they deserve.”
Israel said, “As a nation, we made a commitment to stand together and never forget the brave men and women who acted without hesitation to save thousands of lives on 9/11. It is our moral obligation to uphold this promise and extend the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act to ensure that these survivors continue to receive the medical treatment and support that they need and deserve.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo, stated, “In the aftermath of 9/11, New Yorkers joined with first responders and volunteers from across the nation at Ground Zero, working selflessly to help in any way possible. Those men and women stood up in our darkest hour, without concern for their own well-being, and we must continue to honor their service by providing the support they need through reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. They deserve nothing less than our full and unwavering support.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Our first responders were there for us on 9/11 – and every day after. We have a moral obligation to continue to stand with them and ensure that they receive the health care and support they need and deserve. I’m proud to join this bipartisan coalition in support of our police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, and all of our first responders here and across the country, and thank all of the sponsors for their leadership. I urge Congress to quickly pass this vital reauthorization.”
The possible end of the dollar flow that would end as the current Zadroga Act might expire would leave many survivors and responders still battling serious health crises. Many suffer from exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero. More than 33,000 9/11 responders and survivors have an illness or injury caused by the attacks or their aftermath. Over two-thirds of those have more than one illness, and many are disabled and can no longer work. They are suffering from a long list of chronic diseases: asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and many more.
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