Labor and Political Leaders Call for Passage of 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

PRESS CONFERENCE

Wednesday, September 8th

10:00 a.m.

In front of 7 World Trade Center

West Broadway, Between Barclay and Vesey Streets

WHO: The New York State AFL-CIO; the New York City Central Labor Council; Steve Cassidy, President of the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association; Richard Alles, Uniformed Fire Officers Association: George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16;Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; Congressman Jerrold Nadler; Congressman Peter King; Joseph Zadroga; John Feal of the FealGood Foundation; and 9/11 first responders and survivors of the attacks.

WHAT: Labor and political leaders are joining together to call for both the House and Senate to pass HR. 847 and S.1334, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, soon after Congress reconvenes on September 14th.

WHY: Over 20,000 9/11 responders and survivors are documented sick from their exposures to Ground Zero toxins. We need a permanent comprehensive program to provide them long term care, monitoring and compensation for their economic losses.

The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would:

• Provide medical monitoring and treatment to WTC responders and survivors (area workers, residents, students) who were exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero.
• Build on the existing monitoring and treatment program by delivering expert medical treatment for these unique exposures at Centers of Excellence.
• Reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.
• Provide liability protections for the WTC Contractors and the City of New York.