Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) released the following statement today on the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:“Today, our nation is united in memory. As we observe the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, the emotions of that day return. But the horror of those few minutes is mirrored by the ongoing plight of those who rushed into the toxic clouds at Ground Zero immediately following the attacks—volunteers from every state and many nationalities.

“As they sifted through the rubble in the weeks after 9/11, poisonous dust covered their skin, coated their lungs and settled into the homes, parks, offices and schools of lower Manhattan.  Seven years later, many of these responders are now so sick they cannot work.
“Hearing after hearing and study after study have established that the science is true, and the suffering is real: thousands of people are sick from 9/11, and they deserve our nation’s help.

“That’s why we in the New York congressional delegation introduced the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 6594). Our bill would ensure that everyone made sick by or exposed to Ground Zero toxins receives the medical monitoring and treatment they need and deserve. 

“On this seventh anniversary of the attacks, let’s honor the heroes of 9/11 not just with words of praise, but with a helping hand.  It is the least our great nation can do.”

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