On the recordDecember 22, 2010
the horror of September 11 was unforgettable, and so much about that day was unimaginable. But imagine you had the courage to run into the disaster everyone else was running away from. And because of the toxic fumes and smoke you breathed in while you were working there, you got terribly sick. And almost a decade later, you are still suffering. You have trouble breathing, or maybe a tumor, or some other lung or heart disease. You knew you would be risking your life, but you probably didn't know it would--like this. Now imagine the help you need--the health care and compensation you deserve--is within reach. But your Senator is keeping it from you. That is exactly what is happening right now. The courageous first responders and rescue workers who were the first on the scene at Ground Zero need our help. It is all so hard to imagine. It is hard to imagine we would have the courage to do what they did that day--and that is why we revere these first responders. And it is hard to imagine their leaders would abandon them like this. We should all be embarrassed we are still here, at this late date, talking about this bill. This is not controversial--it is common sense. We should never, ever waste a minute before rushing to help the heroes of 9/11. We should never, ever waste a minute before rushing to help the victims of that day. These first responders are both--and this delay is simply inexcusable.





