[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 28194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TAKING CARE OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

  (Mr. ARCURI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ARCURI. Mr. Speaker, very often Members stand before this body 
and talk about the fact that we should never forget 9/11. Yesterday, I 
had an opportunity to stand with those first responders who responded 
to 9/11, not just the first responders themselves, but many of the 
family members of those who have passed away as a result of their 
service. And it's sad to hear their comments that, in fact, we have 
forgotten about 9/11, certainly the people that responded first. They 
are in desperate need of health care benefits as a result of the 
service that they rendered on that day at the World Trade Center site.
  I think, when all is said and done, the quality of a society is not 
measured by its ability to wage war but, rather, by its ability to take 
care of those in its society who need it most. These individuals need 
the help of Congress to pass legislation to ensure that the health 
benefits that they need as a result of their service to this country 
are taken care of.
  I strongly urge Congress to pass legislation to ensure that our first 
responders are taken care of.

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