On the recordSeptember 29, 2010
I thank my friend from New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. You know, I am going to try to speak from the heart. Those of us who represent districts in and around New York City all had constituents who died on 9/11. We all had friends who died on 9/11. Remember after 9/11 how we all banded together as Americans? Remember singing ``God Bless America'' on the steps of the Capitol? Remember how it didn't matter if you were Democrat or Republican--we were all Americans that day, and we should all still be Americans above and beyond anything else? I remember, on the Friday after the Tuesday attack, going with President Bush to Ground Zero, where he stood with a bullhorn and a fireman with him, where he pledged that there would be help forthcoming from the Federal Government. All we are asking now is to help these people who got sick--who were selfless, who didn't think of themselves, who responded, and who only wanted to try to help other people. They are now getting sick. They are now dying. They now need our help. You know, it's not true, my friends, to say, Well, I'm for helping these people, but I'm not for this bill. The bottom line is this: If you want to help the heroes of 9/11 and the first responders, you vote ``yes'' on the bill. If you don't want to help them and if you want to make excuses, you vote ``no'' on the bill. It's as simple as that. Yes or no. Yes or no.…
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