[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3308-S3309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 S. 546

  Mr. GARDNER. Madam President, I rise for the swift passage of 
bipartisan legislation I am leading with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand 
known as the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the 
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
  I will never forget the images of the brave men and women running 
into danger to save lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks. I 
never had the privilege or honor of going to New York City prior to 
September 11, 2001, but I will never forget my first visit after 
September 11, 2001, going to Ground Zero, watching the firetrucks, with 
their flag, heading to Ground Zero to continue to work, and now that 
has become absolutely emblazoned in the minds of the people of this 
country.
  The work they did wasn't just for those in Manhattan who suffered 
incredible loss but the work they carried forth for our country--they 
became symbols of our security, symbols of our freedoms, symbols of our 
country's willingness, effort, and tenacity to fight back.
  This legislation would ensure that all 9/11 first responders and 
survivors who have been injured by the toxins at Ground Zero would 
receive their full compensation through the September 11th Victim 
Compensation Fund now and into the future as more and more become ill 
with 9/11-related cancers.
  When I visited Ground Zero, I will never forget that smell--a 
burning, acrid odor. These men and women didn't just visit it once but 
time and again to carry out the cleanup of Ground Zero. Unfortunately, 
thousands of first responders and survivors, including many who reside 
in my home State of Colorado, now suffer from illnesses and diseases 
from the toxins they inhaled day after day during the recovery efforts 
at Ground Zero.
  It is unacceptable for this Congress to fail these heroes and their 
families. It is unacceptable to fail the families and heroes of 
September 11. There is no time to waste as Congress debates this issue. 
More and more people are becoming ill, more and more people are 
suffering. Today people such as Lou Alvarez came to Washington, DC, 
postponing a chemotherapy treatment to advocate for his fellow heroes.
  The fund expires at the end of this year if we do not act. These men 
and women have already been forced to reduce their compensation. We 
have seen a reduction of their compensation for 9/11 first responders 
due to the impending insolvency.
  Jon Stewart, a longtime advocate for the 9/11 responders, testified 
today before the House Judiciary Committee, expressing the urgency of 
making sure these first responders receive the care they deserve. He 
testified before members of the committee in the House about the need 
to act now because time is of the essence. He said that these men and 
women ``responded in 5 seconds. They did their jobs, with courage, 
grace, tenacity, humility . . . 18 years later'' it is time for 
Congress to do its job.
  That is what I hope my colleagues will do--our job. Pass this 
important bipartisan legislation, recognizing the service and the 
sacrifice of these great heroes of 9/11.
  Tomorrow the House companion legislation will be marked up in the 
Judiciary Committee. Congress must do the right thing. The Senate must 
do our job, and it must act on this legislation. I urge my colleagues 
to join this legislation to cosponsor the bill, to support this effort, 
and to support the effort in the House and Senate to swiftly pass this 
legislation to ensure these heroes receive the care they need and 
deserve.
  We didn't know what was going to happen on September 11, but for the 
thousands of people involved at Ground Zero, we know what will happen 
if Congress fails to act. It is unacceptable.

[[Page S3309]]

That is why I urge my colleagues to pass this important legislation, to 
do the right thing and stand up for their fellow heroes who served our 
country so well.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.