CONGRESSIONAL SESSION TO BAILOUT 9/11 RESPONDERS NEEDED

[DMCKEON]

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: John Feal 516-901-7427



CONGRESSIONAL SESSION TO BAILOUT 9/11 RESPONDERS NEEDED

NO HOLIDAY FOR SICK & DYING RESPONDERS NEXT YEAR IS TOO LATE

CANDIDATES SHOULD THANK RESPONDERS AT DEBATES & SUPPORT HR7174





MEMORANDUM
9.28.08


From: The FEALGOOD FOUNDATION

To: 9/11 Responders, AFL-CIO, Mayor Bloomberg, Members of Congress

Re: NY City Statement re HR7174, James Zadroga Health & Compensation Bill



Below is the statement received from Mayor Bloomberg's office regarding the collapse of a package to pass HR7174 and finally bring relief to sick, dying and struggling 9/11 responder families. As we watched Congress in a few days appropriate nearly a trillion dollars to bailout failed financial institutions, regardless of what the American people have said, we watch Congress now prepare to go into recess until next year.



Having saved the institutions which sunk themselves, burdened and placed the American people at greater risk Congress now says to 9/11 responders Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, we'll see those of you who are still alive when we get back to business some time next year. This is unacceptable for families suffering seven years after performing service to their community, risking their lives.



We call upon President Bush to keep Congress in session and show that despite our actions thus far that we will place value on human life the same way we have our economic health. We strongly urge Mayor Bloomberg to examine the personal suffering which must take place while these responders just wait and wait, they are dying Mayor Bloomberg. How many more must die before this becomes the priority level of the financial bailout or will people and their families never be as important as Wall Street.



Prepare to rally at City Hall this week, time and date to be announced, to let Mayor Bloomberg know that we don't deserve to die and be indigent for the service we gave New York City. Call John McCain and Barack Obama's offices and let them know that we want to hear Joe Biden and Sarah Palin thank the 9/11 responders this week for their service and sacrifice at Ground Zero and that they are supporting HR7174.



We wish to express our thanks to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for her leadership on this issue and Representatives Maloney, Nadler, King and Fossella for their longstanding support and leadership on this matter, we need to finish their hard work!



For Additional information contact John Feal at 516.901.7427



Statement from Mayor Bloomberg's office re: the 9/11 Health & Compensation Bill



The City has been working for a bill that recognizes that meeting the needs of those who are sick or who were harmed because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is fundamentally a national obligation. This bill is a step towards meeting that obligation, because it provides federal funding to treat those who are sick, and re-opens the Victim Compensation Fund.

But it is a step backwards from the bill introduced in July, because it puts an undue burden on City taxpayers. According to congressional estimates, the City's contribution will exceed $500 million over 10 years, and will be a continuing obligation for years after that. This is nearly five times what the City now pays each year for the WTC Community program, a particularly onerous burden on City taxpayers at a time when there is extreme uncertainty in the City's financial outlook. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to enact a bill that strikes the right balance.



Mayor Bloomberg – 212-788-3000 ask for Mayor's Office

John McCain – 202-224-2235

Barack Obama – 202-224-2854