[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 44 (Thursday, April 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CORZINE (for himself,
  Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Schumer, and Mrs. Clinton):
  S. 2214. A bill to provide compensation and income tax relief for the 
individuals who were victims of the terrorist-related bombing of the 
World Trade Center in 1993 on the same basis as compensation and income 
tax relief is provided to victims of the terrorist-related aircraft 
crashes on September 11, 2001; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. CORZINE. Madam President, today along with Senators Torricelli, 
Schumer and Clinton, I am introducing legislation to ensure that the 
families of the victims of the 1993 World Trade Center terrorist 
bombing receive the same compensation for their devastating losses as 
those whose loved ones perished in the horrific attacks of September 
11. They too deserve aid in rebuilding their lives and it is up to 
Congress to make certain their needs are met and their losses 
acknowledged. I am pleased to join my colleague Representative Robert 
Menendez of New Jersey, who has introduced this legislation in the 
House of Representatives.
  On February 26, 1993, a car bomb exploded on the second level of the 
World Trade Center parking basement. The blast injured over 1,000 
people working in the towers and left 6 individuals dead. Among those 
lost was 57-year-old William Macko of Bayonne, NJ.
  I recently met with the Macko family to discuss their loss and their 
struggle for recovery. Though it has been nearly a decade since 
William's death, it is clear that they are still suffering from the 
unimaginable pain of his loss. And as though this tragedy is not enough 
for them to bear, the family was dealt yet another blow when Carol, 
William's widow, was diagnosed with cancer just nine months after 
losing her husband.
  Congress has responded with tremendous generosity to the tragedy of 
September 11, creating a Victim Compensation Fund to compensate those 
injured and the families of those deceased for economic and non-
economic losses, as well as providing substantial Federal income tax 
relief.
  These programs should also be made available to those who lost loved 
ones in the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. They too should be 
compensated for the unbearable pain and sorrow they endured at the 
hands of terrorists. That is why I am introducing the 1993 World Trade 
Center Victims Compensation Act, which would include those injured or 
killed in the 1993 bombing in both the Victim Compensation Fund and 
Victims Tax Relief.
  When I met with the Macko family, they asked that William's death not 
be forgotten or dismissed. They asked for Congress to ensure that their 
suffering and that of the other families who lost loved ones on that 
cold February day be recognized as well. Their request was clear and 
simple, and we must not let them down.
  I urge my colleagues to show their support for these families and 
cosponsor this legislation.
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