[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MEDICAL MONITORING FOR RESCUE WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge the President to spend 
the funds that this Congress authorized for medical monitoring of 
firefighters, police officers and others who so bravely responded to 
Ground Zero on September 11th, 2001.
  I worked closely with my colleague, Mr. Crowley of New York and the 
other members of our state's delegation to designate $90 million to 
screen and evaluate emergency responders for hazardous exposure in the 
wake of the attacks.
  Sadly, the Administration has only spent a fraction of the full 
amount--enough to fund only 9,000 of 40,000 medical screening 
examinations. Based on an initial sample of 250 WTC workers, one-half 
of WTC workers are experiencing ongoing pulmonary problems, ENT 
symptoms and mental health issues.
  I am disappointed that the administration is not spending the 
additional funds to cover the entire population of heroes who were 
there when we needed them.
  This is a glaring example of the most outrageous priorities. The 
administration supported spending $187 billion in a farm bill to 
subsidize America's farmers not to grow crops, but won't spend $90 
million to subsidize the health care of America's firefighters.
  Mr. Speaker, when farmers need our help, we're there for them with 
subsidies. When big oil wants a hand-out, we're there for them with 
lavish tax-breaks. But when a New York City firefighter who was on the 
job on September 11th needs to be screened for a breathing problem, we 
tell him we can't afford to help.
  I was with President Bush in the immediate aftermath of the attack at 
Ground Zero. I admired his leadership on that day, when he stood with 
our firefighters in the rubble. Now, we need his leadership in standing 
with our firefighters in his budget.

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