Date: 2010-12-22
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the distinguished gentleman. and I rise to support the Senate amendment to H.R. 847. to be able to thank CAROLYN MALONEY for the enormous work and to also cite those who I saw dying that they might live. Madam Speaker I rise today in strong support of H.R. 847. the "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act." This bill has been a long time coming. and I am glad that it is finally here for us to provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits to eligible emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers who responded to the September 11. 2001. terrorist attacks. This legislation also allows for initial health evaluation. monitoring. and treatment benefits to residents and other building occupants and area workers in New York City who were directly impacted and adversely affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I have met firsthand many of these first responders and workers. and I know the patriotic sacrifices they have made for their fellow Americans. These brave. selfless individuals who put aside their own needs and fears to come to the aid of their fellow Americans put their lives at risk. They ventured into the wreckage and dust of the World Trade Center. not worrying about their own well being. but rather. hoping that they could save the lives of strangers. As a result of their fearless acts. many of these emergency workers and first responders were exposed to airborne toxins and other hazards. Providing medical services. including clinical examinations. longterm health monitoring. mental health care and necessary prescription drug coverage. is the least we can do to repay them for their efforts. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will provide both initial and followup medical services for World Trade Center responders and workers whose physical and mental health were impacted by the 9/11 attacks. H.R. 847 will also establish an outreach program to potentially eligible individuals. September 11. 2001. is a day that is indelibly etched in the psyche of every American and most of the world. Much like the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. 1941. September 11 is a day that will live in infamy. And as much as Pearl Harbor changed the course of world history by precipitating the global struggle between totalitarian fascism and representative democracy. the transformative impact of September 11 in the course of American and human history is indelible. September 11 was not only the beginning of the Global War on Terror. but moreover. it was the day of innocence lost for a new generation of Americans. Just like my fellow Americans. I remember September 11 as vividly as if it was yesterday. In my minds eye. I can still remember being mesmerized by the television as the two airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. and I remember the sense of terror we experienced when we realized that this was no accident. that we had been attacked. and that the world as we know it had changed forever. The moment in which the Twin Towers collapsed and the nearly 3.000 innocent Americans died haunts me until this day. At this moment. I decided that the protection of our homeland would be at the forefront of my legislative agenda. I knew that all of our collective efforts as Americans would all be in vain if we did not achieve our most important priority: the security of our nation. Accordingly. I became then and continue to this day to be an active and engaged Member of the Committee on Homeland Security who considers our national security paramount. Our nations collective response to the tragedy of September 11 exemplified what has been true of the American people since the inception of our Republicin times of crisis. we come together and always persevere. Despite the depths of our anguish on the preceding day. on September 12. the American people demonstrated their compassion and solidarity for one another as we began the process of response. recovery. and rebuilding. We transcended our differences and came together to honor the sacrifices and losses sustained by the countless victims of September 11. Let us honor those who served and sacrificed by passing H.R. 847. Madam Speaker. as I stand here today. my heart still grieves for those who perished on flights United Airlines 93. American Airlines 77. American Airlines 11. and United Airlines 175. When the sun rose on the morning of September 11. none of us knew that it would end in an inferno in the magnificent World Trade Center Towers in New York City. the Pentagon in Washington. DC. and in the grassy fields of Shanksville. Pennsylvania. How I wish we could have hugged and kissed and held each of the victims one last time. I stand here remembering those who still suffer. whose hearts still ache over the loss of so many innocent and interrupted lives. My prayer is that for those who lost a father. a mother. a husband. a wife. a child. or a friend will in the days and years ahead take comfort in the certain knowledge that they have gone on to claim the greatest prize. a place in the Lords loving arms. And down here on the ground. their memory will never die so long as any of the many of us who loved them lives. Again. I would like to reiterate my strong support for H.R. 847. the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. for it is important that we take care of those who take care of us in our time of need.