Act now: Honor 9/11 Heroes

James Zadroga, a New York City police officer, risked everything and paid the ultimate price: Zadroga died from the effects of the toxic debris he was exposed to in the aftermath of 9/11.
Please send an emergency message to your senators now. Urge them to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act before Congress leaves town.

Dear Readers,

Congress literally will be leaving town any day. Before that happens, our lawmakers have some urgent, unfinished business to take care of: giving our 9/11 heroes the respect—and medical support—they deserve and urgently need.

Please send an emergency message to your senators now. Urge them to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act immediately.

After terrorists attacked New York City nine years ago, the first responders and construction workers who came to help were our heroes. But today, many suffer disabling and life-threatening illnesses as a result of toxic exposure at Ground Zero—and Senate Republicans are treating them like they’re disposable.

That’s right: Senate Republicans are abusing the rules of the Senate to block desperately needed health care services for the 9/11 first responders and recovery workers. It’s shocking. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) even went so far as to call the bill “fooling around.”

Take action now. Senate Republicans need to stop abusing the rules of the Senate to block desperately needed health care services for the 9/11 first responders.

More than 13,000 World Trade Center responders are sick and receiving treatment. Some 71,000 are enrolled in the World Trade Center health registry indicating they were exposed to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11.

A coroner has formally linked James Zadroga’s death—from lung ailments—to the toxic air at Ground Zero. Many others have died or are dying. And so many others are suffering from debilitating illnesses. They must not be forgotten.

Please send an urgent message to your senators now. Urge them to honor our 9/11 heroes.

Thanks for standing in solidarity with our 9/11 heroes.

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

P.S. As most people fled Ground Zero on 9/11, tens of thousands of first responders and construction workers came in to help. Jet fuel, asbestos, lead, glass fragments and other debris encountered after the terrorist attacks on Ground Zero cost many workers their health. Today, these heroes are suffering from the results of their heroism. They deserve the very best medical care our country can provide—not stonewalling and delays. Please write your senators today.