Put It Above Ground

Dear 9/11 Family Member:

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this request.

I’m working on a story about the remains of the 9/11 hijackers, which are being held by the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office and the FBI.

I understand from the NY Examiner’s office that a 9/11 family member reached out to them in (approximately) 2002 and requested that the remains of the hijackers be identified and separated from the remains of their victims.

I’m hoping to find the person/s who made that request (or a similar request to any of the authorities involved, whether or not it was answered) and also to speak to two or three families–ideally of different religious backgrounds–about their feelings regarding what should happen with the hijacker remains.

If one of the family members of a hijacker requests them, should they be made available?

What are some of the thoughts or emotions related to this question?

If anyone has any other information related to the hijacker remains in any way, that would also be most useful.

I understand this is a sensitive subject and I greatly appreciate input from you.

Warmest Regards,

Eve

Eve Conant
Correspondent
Newsweek Magazine
email: eve.conant@newsweek.com

THE COLOR OF FREEDOM

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45533

9/11 memorial mural on Staten Island graced by sign from above

by Jamie Lee / Staten Island Advance

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45480

SHRINK RAP: PA HIRES FRAUDS FOR WTC SITE

NY Post

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45388

News Conference - MONDAY, September 8th at 10:00 a.m.

Reps. Maloney, Nadler Urge Action to Protect Health of

9-11 Responders from Around the Country Health

New York, NY – On Monday, September 8th at 10:00 a.m., U.S. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold L. Nadler (D-NY), will hold a news conference to express their concerns about ongoing delays in the federal government’s program to provide health care to 9/11 responders and others sickened by the attacks who live outside the New York metropolitan area.

In June, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) awarded a contract to Logistics Health Incorporated (LHI), a Wisconsin firm run by former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, to coordinate 9/11 medical monitoring and treatment services nationwide. On September 4th, Representatives Maloney, Nadler and Fossella sent a letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt noting that LHI’s monitoring exams have not yet begun as orginally promised; that many, if not most, responders eligible for the program have yet to receive any information from LHI; and that sick responders are experiencing significant delays in getting appointments arranged, prescriptions filled, and phone calls returned.

WHO: U.S. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerrold L. Nadler

WHAT: Protesting the U.S. government’s delays and inaction in meeting the health care needs of 9/11 responders from outside the New York metropolitan region

WHEN: Monday, September 8th at 10:00 a.m

WHERE: In front of 7 World Trade Center, Greenwich & Vesey Streets, Lower Manhattan

Media Request:

Dear 9/11 Family Member:

My name is Dianna Smith, and I am a reporter at The Palm Beach Post in Palm Beach County, Florida.
I am searching for people whose loved ones died in 9/11, specifically New Yorkers who moved to Florida shortly after the attacks. My plan is to find four individuals/families who chose to move to Florida for peace, change, scenery. I would like to interview each person, hear their story and learn why they made the move and how it has helped.
If you or anyone you know would be willing to speak with me, please contact me at 561-820-4484 or e-mail me at dsmith@pbpost.com
Thanks so much,

Dianna Smith

Palm Beach Post
Staff Writer

NYDIS Announces Closure of City’s Last Remaining 9/11 Recovery Program

The New York City 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable will close in October
July 27, 2008, New York, NY… The New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) 9/11 Recovery Program will close down on October 31st due to termination of major program funding. The 9/11 Recovery Program administers the New York City 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable (Roundtable) and the 9/11 Coordinated Case Management Program, the sole remaining financial assistance and case management programs for World Trade Center (WTC) responders and other 9/11-impacted persons, both locally and nationally.

Since its inception in 2002, the Roundtable has distributed more than $7.5 million in cash assistance to meet the basic needs of more than 4500 9/11-impacted persons and their families, from 28 states and Canada. Over 80 city human service agencies and 18 major donor partners have participated in the Roundtable to date. Without immediate new sources of charitable, city or federal funding to continue the Roundtable and 9/11 Coordinated Case Management programs, many WTC responders and other 9/11-impacted persons with disabling WTC-related physical and mental illnesses will be at risk of eviction or foreclosure and utilities shut-off.

Since 2005, NYDIS has funded and managed the 9/11 Coordinated Case Management Program, a community-based, intensive case management services program. The program serves both 9/11 survivors and health-impacted WTC responders and recovery workers. This program currently funds seven of only eight remaining 9/11 case managers in New York City.

Thousands of 9/11 survivors, responders, community residents, and area workers now suffer from disabling physical and mental health conditions related to a host of physical exposures and psychological stressors at the WTC site. Due to disabilities resulting from these 9/11 health impacts, many Roundtable clients struggle to meet very basic expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, food, and transportation while awaiting the receipt of long-term benefits, such as Workers’ Compensation. As a result, hundreds of clients annually lapse into mortgage or rental arrears, and some have suffered eviction, foreclosure, utilities shut-off, or the humiliation of being unable to afford food for their families. In order to access benefits, secure financial assistance while awaiting the resolution of these benefits, and create a sustainable, long-term recovery plan for themselves and their families, thousands of 9/11 health-impacted persons will continue to require the assistance of a community-based, culturally competent and language-specific, 9/11-trained case manager.

NYDIS’s 9/11 Recovery Program currently coordinates and provides community-based case management services for survivors and hundreds of other 9/11 health-impacted persons. In addition, NYDIS is receiving an average of 53 new clients requesting services per month. More than 70 percent of NYDIS clients are WTC responders. Ninety-six percent of NYDIS clients currently suffer from 9/11 health impacts, and of those clients, 75 percent suffer from both physical and mental illnesses related to 9/11.
Absent philanthropic or governmental funding to continue the vital services offered at NYDIS, however, these ill clients will not receive the assistance necessary to prevent eviction or utilities shut-off, leaving them homeless or without essential services, such as electricity, heat, and gas.

“NYDIS is committed to the long-term administration of the NYC 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable as well as case management coordination and the recovery assistance tool supporting the sustainable long-term recovery needs of direct victims and injured recovery workers,” said Peter Gudaitis, Executive Director and CEO. “We must now look toward our government to meet this increasing need to ensure the health and well-being of those who put themselves in harm’s way when New York City and this nation needed them most.”

Contact: Peter B. Gudaitis
Executive Director & CEO
Office: 212-669-6100
Email: pgudaitis@nydis.org

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has rejected an effort by some families of terrorism victims who wanted to reclaim World Trade Center residue and create a cemetery on Staten Island for it.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said Monday that not every wrong can be addressed through the courts. “The grave harm suffered by the plaintiffs in this case is undeniable. But the jurisdiction of a court is limited,” Hellerstein said.

Hellerstein says he will continue to make himself available to both sides if they want to settle the issue in a way that might bring relief to the families.

The lawsuit against New York City had asked that the residue — which might contain human remains — be moved from the now-closed Fresh Kills landfill to land across the street that could be made into a cemetery.

Norman Siegel, a lawyer for the 17 families who brought the lawsuit, said he was “extremely disappointed” by the ruling. He said another 1,000 people had signed a petition supporting the lawsuit.

“The 9-11 families sought to rectify an egregious wrong that occurred regarding the disposition of human remains. We are not prepared to leave hundreds of human remains of 9-11 victims on top of a garbage dump as their final resting place,” he said.

The city said through a spokeswoman that it was preparing a statement in response to the decision.

Hellerstein noted in his written decision that the city has planned to create a nature preserve and park at the Fresh Kills site, including a memorial at a height that will provide a view of where the 110-story twin towers once stood.

“What better reverence could there be than a memorial that both recalls those who died, even without leaving a trace, and points to the tenacity and beauty of life that must go on? The terrorists sought to destroy our lives and our freedom. They failed, and a memorial in such a beautiful setting can symbolize the vital continuation of our vibrant democracy,” he wrote.

Organizers Say S.I. WTC Memorial Is On Schedule

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43680

Sept. 11 health contract awarded to company led by ex-Bush health chief

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43173

Bronx Teen Charged With Defacing 9/11 Memorial Mural

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43170