[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10110-H10111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PERMANENTLY FUNDING SUPPORT FOR 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR 
                                FAMILIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Zeldin) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our 9/11 first 
responders and their families, urging all Members of Congress to 
support passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, H.R. 7062, which 
would permanently fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and extend 
its authorization to 2090.
  Regardless of party affiliation and regardless of which district or 
State you come from, it is imperative that right out of the gate of the 
next Congress, starting next month, that this legislation is 
immediately passed and sent to the President to become law.

[[Page H10111]]

  First responders who worked on the pile day and night, aiding in the 
search, rescue, and cleanup efforts, were breathing in toxic debris and 
ash that are now known to have caused over 50 different types of 
cancer.
  James Zadroga was one of those fearless leaders. He was also the 
first NYPD officer whose death, in 2006, was connected to toxic 
exposure at the World Trade Center site. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health 
and Compensation Act was later signed into law in 2011 to help our 9/11 
first responders.
  Mr. Speaker, 5 years later, the Zadroga Act was permanently 
reauthorized and included $4.6 million for the 9/11 Victims 
Compensation Fund over 5 years, which was established to provide 
compensation for the victims of 9/11 and their families. However, we 
are hearing from the special master of the fund that this funding ``may 
be insufficient to compensate all claims.''
  Representing a district just over 50 miles from Ground Zero, fighting 
for the Americans affected on September 11 isn't just my job--it is 
personal. Whether it is losing a loved one or knowing someone who 
volunteered on the pile, each and every one of my constituents, 
including myself, has been affected.
  Before Congress passed the permanent reauthorization of the Zadroga 
Act, I vividly recall so many first responders who had fallen ill were 
forced to come to our Nation's Capitol and beg for the benefits they 
rightfully earned. These 9/11 first responders lived not only in New 
York, but in 433 of the 435 congressional districts across this 
country.
  This isn't just a New York issue. This isn't a Democratic or 
Republican Party platform or political football. This is a 
responsibility we all shoulder as Americans, first and foremost. It is 
the spirit of our Nation, and it is who we are as a people.
  These were the very men and women who, in the face of evil, were 
willing to put it all on the line to help save their fellow Americans 
who ran into the towers while everyone else was running out. It is 
unconscionable that time and again they have been forced to come 
crawling to Washington, D.C., to plead their case as to why they are 
worthy of our support. It was heartbreaking and sickening, and I hope 
we have learned our lesson.
  We must pass this legislation at the beginning of the 116th Congress 
so these first responders don't have to go through all of this again, 
so they can focus on their health and not be forced to travel to 
Washington, D.C., on their own dime dozens of times for the benefits 
they have more than earned.
  This past September 11, 17 years since the attacks, we came together, 
as we always do, to remember those who were taken from us on that day. 
But this year marked an especially harrowing occasion. By the end of 
this year, it is anticipated that more people will have died from 9/11-
related illnesses than were killed on 9/11, and over 175 of those 
deaths occurred just this year.
  Jimmy Martinez was one of those 175. Diagnosed with bone marrow 
cancer, he went into remission in 2016, a year after the Zadroga Act's 
permanent reauthorization. He responded to the 1993 attack on the World 
Trade Center, again on 9/11, and came to the aid of so many in the 
aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. This August, he died a 26-year veteran 
of the FDNY.

  Just as there were so many who fought for the Zadroga Act who were 
not here to fight for its reauthorization in 2015, Jimmy is just one of 
the so many who are unable to continue this fight today. That is why it 
is up to us--to fight for others like Jimmy, for those who risked so 
much for us but they need our help. Congress must take action to ensure 
every family receives the compensation they are entitled to as soon as 
possible. They have earned nothing less.
  On that horrific day, in the face of the worst of humanity, these men 
and women were the best of it. In honor of them and their families who 
carry on their memory, Congress must do its job and permanently fund 
the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.
  In the aftermath of 9/11, we vowed we would never forget, and I am 
going to make sure of it.

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