Bill Pascrell: “We have here today, and we are here today to state, it will never be clear until we help every first responder who has…”

“We have here today, and we are here today to state, it will never be clear until we help every first responder who has suffered in running to the tragedy. We need to act now. Originally, this program was named after my constituent, New York Police Department Detective James Zadroga. His service was exemplary. Our friends keep dying--Mr. Alvarez, Mr. Pfeifer. Ground Zero. Today we show that citizens care. We represent the citizens. Madam Speaker, I thank this body for bringing us here today. Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of the heroic men and women who ran towards the falling towers on September 11, 2001. I rise for those who labored that day and for months in the toxic plume of Ground Zero. And I stand here for their families who have borne the burden of that sacrifice. We all know it took some kicking and screaming to get this fund established. But we got it through and it has helped these brave Americans focus on their personal health and well-being. It has been critical. But the work isn't over. They need our help again. Last year the fund announced that due to a funding shortfall, injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors will receive cuts to the awards that they were expecting. These are big cuts: 50 percent for pending claims and 70 percent for future claims. Unacceptable. We must act to make whole the responders, survivors, and their families. The words ``Never Forget'' can't be a bumper sticker--we need to act now.…”