[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the 
``James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009,'' along with 
my good friends Mr. Nadler, Mr. King of New York, Mr. McMahon and 
others who have worked so tirelessly in this effort. This legislation 
would provide medical care and compensation for those who are sick with 
World Trade Center (WTC) illnesses, including first responders who came 
to New York from every state and nearly all Congressional districts in 
the nation.
  Specifically, the bill would establish a federal health and 
compensation program for WTC responders and community members. Building 
on the existing programs at WTC Centers of Excellence, the program 
would provide ongoing medical care for WTC-related health conditions to 
approximately 15,000 additional WTC responders and 15,000 additional 
WTC community members, for a total of 55,000 responders and 17,500 
community members.
  The bill would also reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to 
provide compensation for those sickened by 9/11 exposure and to address 
the over 10,000 pending lawsuits brought by sick 9/11 responders. 
Additionally it would limit the liability in litigation for New York 
City and the WTC contractors to the amounts available under the Captive 
Insurance Fund and their existing liability limits and insurance.
  Finally, the legislation would require a matching contribution from 
the City of New York for the health program.
  More than seven years after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade 
Center, we must not forget the heroes who served the nation in our time 
of need. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the James 
Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

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