Put It Above Ground

In a Sept. 13, 2001, press release, the EPA said the air around Ground Zero was relatively safe.  On Sept. 16, 2001, Christie Whitman as Director of the EPA said that tests showed air pollution levels “that cause us no concern.”  Two days later, she said she was glad to reassure New York and Washington residents that their air and water were safe. As most of you know the law suit against Christie Whitman was thrown out of court when a judge did not want to set a dangerous precedent that would make public officials fear making public statements in the future.

And now on Thursday the House of Representatives play their partisan politics game to stop the 9/11 Health Bill once again. Our government was set up with 3 branches the Judicial, Legislative and Executive to assure that the people were properly treated and that one branch did not dominate decisions. Who would have thought that the sick and dying heroes of 9/11 would get screwed by all three? So much for truth justice and the America way Isn’t it time we took our government back?   

Contact:

Jim Riches: 917-692-1199

Sally Regenhard: 646-266-1987

9/11 Family Group Commends Anti-Defamation League

In Opposing Islamic Community Center near Ground Zero

9/11 Parents and Families of Firefighters and WTC Victims applauds the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for their thoughtful, compassionate and intelligent statement ( 7/30/10) regarding the proposed building of an Islamic Community Center and Mosque near Ground Zero in NYC.

We express our heartfelt thanks to the ADL for the recognition of our grief and suffering which is evidenced in their statement: …“We are ever mindful of the tragedy which befell our nation there, the pain we all still feel – and especially the anguish of the families and friends of those who were killed on September 11, 200/…”

We agree with the ADL recommendation that a different location be found for this Center, because retaining the present location would be counterproductive to the healing process. Healing of grief has not yet been achieved for so many of the 9/11 families, and especially for those 1,100 families who have never received any remains of their cherished loved ones. For all of us, Ground Zero is truly sacred ground, regardless of those public and private individuals who consider it merely commercial real estate.

We ask for tolerance, understanding and sensitivity for the families of the victims as well as for the honored dead - some of whose remains are still at Ground Zero. We remain extremely grateful for the courage and humanity of the Anti-Defamation League.

Deputy Chief Jim Riches, FDNY ret. & Rita Riches

Chairman, 9/11 Parents and Families of Firefighters & WTC Victims

Father of FF James Riches, E-4, WTC/9/11

Deputy Chief Al Santora, FDNY ret. & Maureen Santora

Parents of FF Christopher Santora, E-54, WTC/9/11

Jim McCaffrey, LT/FDNY

Brother-in-law of B.C. Orio J. Palmer, Batt 7, WTC/9/11

Rosaleen Tallon, Ed.D

Sister of FF Sean Patrick Tallon, L-10/E-10, WTC/9/11

Rosemary Cain

Mother of FF George C. Cain, L-7, WTC/9/11

Russell & Joyce Mercer & Christine Kopytko

Family of FF Scott M. Kopytko, E4/L15 , WTC/9/11

Sally & Sgt. Al Regenhard, NYPD ret.

Contacts: šššš Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 646-831-1649
ššš Ilan Kayatsky (Nadler), 212-367-7350
ššš Kevin Fogarty (King), 202-225-7896

House Votes on 9/11 Health Bill

-Bill Gets 255 Votes, But Did Not Achieve Two-Thirds Majority
Required for Passage Under “Suspension of the Rules”-

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives considered legislation to address the health crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, would provide health care for those exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The bill would also reopen the federal Victim Compensation Fund to provide economic relief to those harmed by the attacks. Though the bill did not achieve the high, two-thirds majority required for passage under suspension of the House rules, the 255 votes in favor of the bill -including 12 Republicans- show that it will likely have majority support when it is reconsidered under normal rules. The final vote was 255-159.

The Zadroga Act is sponsored by New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), with the support of the entire New York Congressional delegation. Reps. Maloney, Nadler, and King released the following joint statement on today’s vote:

“Today’s vote showed that we have the support we need to pass the Zadroga Act, and we look forward to passing the bill with a simple majority when Congress returns from its August recess. We thank our colleagues in the New York delegation for their dedication to those who were harmed by the terrorist attacks on our nation.

“We will not rest until we finally provide proper care for ailing 9/11 responders and survivors, and fill the last remaining gap in America’s recovery from the attacks. Nine long years after the attacks, the living victims of 9/11 are still suffering. We must pass this bill. It is the least we can do as a grateful nation.”

The Zadroga Act is historic, but not unprecedented, legislation. In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attacks, Congress passed the War Hazards Compensation Act of 1942, which provided health care and financial relief to civilians who helped recover the dead and salvage what remained of our Pacific fleet. The Zadroga Act, if passed, will once again demonstrate that Congress will not abandon those harmed by an attack on our shores.

Fact Sheet on H.R. 847, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:

What is the problem?

” Thousands of first responders and others exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero are now injured and need our help. These include firefighters, rescue workers, responders, police officers and EMTs, construction workers, cleanup workers, residents, area workers, and schoolchildren, among others. Their illnesses include a range of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health conditions.

” Over 13,000 WTC responders are sick and receiving treatment. Nearly 53,000 responders are enrolled in medical monitoring. 71,000 individuals are enrolled in the WTC Health Registry, indicating that they were exposed to the toxins.

” At least 10,000 people came from around the country to help in the aftermath of the attacks. They hail from every single state in the union and nearly every Congressional district. Many are sick and others are very concerned about their future health. (Please click here for a list of Registry enrollments nationwide and in each congressional district.)

” Those who have economic losses because of their WTC-related illnesses need and deserve compensation, but have no alternative to the current litigation system. The WTC contractors and the City of New York are being sued by over 11,000 people who are injured because of Ground Zero toxins. They face great financial loss because they were asked to help at Ground Zero in the country’s time of need.

How does H.R. 847 address the problem?

” Provides medical monitoring and treatment to WTC responders and survivors (area workers, residents, students) who were exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero.

” Builds on the existing monitoring and treatment program by delivering expert medical
treatment for these unique exposures at Centers of Excellence.

” Reopens the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.

” Provides liability protections for the WTC contractors and the City of New York.

More information about H.R. 847:

” The cost of the bill has been reduced from $10.5 billion to $7.4 billion to ensure that the bill is completely paid-for and PAY-GO neutral.

” The offset targets “treaty shopping” where a foreign company in a country without a U.S. treaty routes income through a third intermediary company with a treaty to take advantage of the intermediary company’s tax reductions.