Resolution supporting S.201, also known as the “9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007”, to establish a grant program for individuals still suffering ill health effects as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

By Council Members Addabbo Jr., Avella, Brewer, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Gentile, Gonzalez, Koppell, McMahon, Mealy, Monserrate, Nelson, Palma, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr., Seabrook and Weprin

Whereas, When the United States was attacked on September 11, 2001, many men and women responded selflessly and heroically; and

Whereas, Those first responders were exposed to potentially harmful debris and environmental contaminants, and were placed at-risk of suffering psychological side effects related to the traumatic events of that day; and

Whereas, According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 40,000 people participated in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site in the months following the attacks; and

Whereas, Many of these workers continue to suffer from devastating health problems caused by their work at the sites of the attacks; and

Whereas, Many of those adversely affected are not only struggling with their health, but with finding ways to pay for needed services; and

Whereas, On January 8, 2007, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton introduced S.201 in the United States Senate; and

Whereas, S.201, also known as the “9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007”, would establish a grant program for individuals still suffering ill health effects as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon; and

Whereas, S.201 would provide grants for programs which provide medical and mental health monitoring, tracking, and treatment to individuals whose health has been directly impacted as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon; and

Whereas, These funds would help provide for those individuals who are not covered by health care insurance, who need health care assistance beyond what their coverage provides or who have insufficient health care insurance coverage; and

Whereas, S.201 would include as eligible individuals any firefighter, police officer, paramedic, worker, volunteer, resident, student, and any other individual who worked at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills (recovery site on Staten Island), or the Pentagon, or who lived or worked in the vicinity of such areas, whose health has deteriorated as a result of the attacks and who has been evaluated by a physician or mental health professional for 9/11 related health conditions and needs treatment for such conditions; and

Whereas, Additionally, S.201 would require the Director of the CDC to submit a report on the use of monies funded under this legislation; and

Whereas, Both the Pentagon and New York City’s World Trade Center were attacked as symbols of the United States, its people and its philosophies; and

Whereas, It is essential that the United States government support the heroic men and women who offered their assistance immediately and in the days, weeks and months that followed the attacks by providing for them and ensuring that they have access to both medical monitoring and adequate medical care; and

Whereas, By passing S.201, the United States Senate can send a message to these Americans that they will not be forgotten by a grateful nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New supports S.201, also known as the “9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007”, to establish a grant program for individuals still suffering ill health effects as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.