Steven Holt: “As a cosponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, I urge passage of this important bill.…”

“As a cosponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, I urge passage of this important bill. Today the House has the opportunity to honor the rescue and recovery workers who served our Nation after the devastating attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and, more important than empty honor, to provide for their care. My district suffered causalities that day and nine years later, the memory of that terrible day is still fresh in our minds. Along with the victims of 9/11, there were thousands of rescue and recovery workers who came to the aid of our Nation that day. These brave women and men rushed to Ground Zero to help the fallen and to participate in the clean-up effort without thinking about their health or safety. These workers were exposed to environmental hazards and have developed significant respiratory illnesses, chronic infections, and other medical conditions. Further, many first responders are only now being diagnosed with illnesses that are related to their exposure at Ground Zero. The Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 would create the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The program would provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits to first responders and workers who were directly affected by the attacks. Additionally, the program would establish education and outreach programs and conduct research on physical and mental health conditions related to the 9/11 attacks.”