A Fallen Hero - Video Inside
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Your fuckin-A it does! You mean you can't tell? The fact that they even have the audacity to dispute that the environment down there is what made these men sick, AFTER they redacted the EPA report makes me want to be violent.
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I have been kicking that idea around for a while now. I more than likely will go.
Senator Clinton Calls for Federal Help for Sick 9/11 Workers
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/senator-clinton-calls-for-federal-help-for-sick-911-workers/
By Patrick Healy
1/22/2007
Targeting President Bush for the first time in her new role as presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton attended a news conference at Ground Zero this morning and called on the White House to seek funding to cover the health needs of ill first responders who worked at the Twin Towers during 9/11.
Mrs. Clinton, who can be fiery in her attacks on Mr. Bush, was relatively measured in her remarks this morning. She said that the sick workers needed immediate help and urged the Bush administration to devote money to them in its forthcoming federal budget request to Congress.
“This is an issue that demands attention from the president and the Congress,” Senator Clinton said at a news conference with Senator Charles Schumer and Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, and Vito Fossella.
“This is a call to action,” she added. “Without the president’s budget commitment, the program that is treating many of these victims will end.” She said the money would run out this summer.
“I believe this is a moral responsibility,” Mrs. Clinton said, standing alongside relatives of first responders who remain ill from the environmental effects of the collapse of the towers. “This is a crisis, and we need the president to respond to help us.”
The senator listened and nodded as several relatives excoriated the Bush administration and other government officials for “lying” about the environmental effects of the 9/11 attacks and about promises of assistance to the ill.
“We want people to have to look into the eye of these men and women and then say no, it’s not our responsibility to make sure you have the health care you need to deal with these illnesses,” Mrs. Clinton said.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/senator-clinton-calls-for-federal-help-for-sick-911-workers/
By Patrick Healy
1/22/2007
Targeting President Bush for the first time in her new role as presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton attended a news conference at Ground Zero this morning and called on the White House to seek funding to cover the health needs of ill first responders who worked at the Twin Towers during 9/11.
Mrs. Clinton, who can be fiery in her attacks on Mr. Bush, was relatively measured in her remarks this morning. She said that the sick workers needed immediate help and urged the Bush administration to devote money to them in its forthcoming federal budget request to Congress.
“This is an issue that demands attention from the president and the Congress,” Senator Clinton said at a news conference with Senator Charles Schumer and Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, and Vito Fossella.
“This is a call to action,” she added. “Without the president’s budget commitment, the program that is treating many of these victims will end.” She said the money would run out this summer.
“I believe this is a moral responsibility,” Mrs. Clinton said, standing alongside relatives of first responders who remain ill from the environmental effects of the collapse of the towers. “This is a crisis, and we need the president to respond to help us.”
The senator listened and nodded as several relatives excoriated the Bush administration and other government officials for “lying” about the environmental effects of the 9/11 attacks and about promises of assistance to the ill.
“We want people to have to look into the eye of these men and women and then say no, it’s not our responsibility to make sure you have the health care you need to deal with these illnesses,” Mrs. Clinton said.
Son Of Ailing 9/11 First Responder To Face Bush
Attending State Of The Union With Sen. Clinton, College Student Seeks Funding For Ill First Responders
http://wcbstv.com/seenon/local_story_022195744.html
1/22/2007
(CBS) NEW YORK The son of a 9/11 first responder who is in dire need of a lung transplant will have a front-row seat at tomorrow's State of the Union address. He's going to Washington as a special guest of Sen. Hillary Clinton to raise awareness about his father's illness, which is believed to be a direct result of the toxic air on the tragic day.
"I want to say to President Bush not to forget the World Trade Center victims. They are heroes, and they should be treated as such," Ceasar Borja Jr. told CBS 2. Borja says his critically ill father will be with him in spirit tomorrow when he attends the President's State of the Union speech. The 21-year-old college student will be wearing his NYPD father's uniform coat, his watch, and his pants.
"I'm representing him. I'm representing all the other heroes so I feel that it's fitting that I wear what they wear," he said.
Borja Sr. is a retired NYPD officer and was a First Responder on September 11. He's now in the intensive care unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital awaiting a lung transplant because he suffers from pulmonary fibrosis -- a disease doctors believe he got from working at Ground Zero after the attack.
Borja Jr. wants Bush to allocate more money to treat the medical needs of 9/11 first responders.
"I want him to see a boy that represents New York City, a victim of everything that's happened following 9/11," he said.
The Hunter College journalism student will accompany Sen. Clinton, who was with him today as he spoke at Ground Zero to explain the need for federal funds for victims like his father. "It's really painful for me to be here so close to where my father contracted this disease and I am being strong for my family, for my friends, for my father -- but it is hard. That is why i need the help of the government," he told the crowd.
Other 9/11 responders who have related diseases will also be in the audience for President Bush's speech. Borja Jr. says he also wants to raise awareness about the need for organ donors.
Doctors say his father -- and other first responders with lung diseases -- won't survive without transplants.
Attending State Of The Union With Sen. Clinton, College Student Seeks Funding For Ill First Responders
http://wcbstv.com/seenon/local_story_022195744.html
1/22/2007
(CBS) NEW YORK The son of a 9/11 first responder who is in dire need of a lung transplant will have a front-row seat at tomorrow's State of the Union address. He's going to Washington as a special guest of Sen. Hillary Clinton to raise awareness about his father's illness, which is believed to be a direct result of the toxic air on the tragic day.
"I want to say to President Bush not to forget the World Trade Center victims. They are heroes, and they should be treated as such," Ceasar Borja Jr. told CBS 2. Borja says his critically ill father will be with him in spirit tomorrow when he attends the President's State of the Union speech. The 21-year-old college student will be wearing his NYPD father's uniform coat, his watch, and his pants.
"I'm representing him. I'm representing all the other heroes so I feel that it's fitting that I wear what they wear," he said.
Borja Sr. is a retired NYPD officer and was a First Responder on September 11. He's now in the intensive care unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital awaiting a lung transplant because he suffers from pulmonary fibrosis -- a disease doctors believe he got from working at Ground Zero after the attack.
Borja Jr. wants Bush to allocate more money to treat the medical needs of 9/11 first responders.
"I want him to see a boy that represents New York City, a victim of everything that's happened following 9/11," he said.
The Hunter College journalism student will accompany Sen. Clinton, who was with him today as he spoke at Ground Zero to explain the need for federal funds for victims like his father. "It's really painful for me to be here so close to where my father contracted this disease and I am being strong for my family, for my friends, for my father -- but it is hard. That is why i need the help of the government," he told the crowd.
Other 9/11 responders who have related diseases will also be in the audience for President Bush's speech. Borja Jr. says he also wants to raise awareness about the need for organ donors.
Doctors say his father -- and other first responders with lung diseases -- won't survive without transplants.
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AuGmENTor
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I heard on a program earlier today that an insurance company had received 1 billion dollars for these claims, and that not ONE has been paid out on. I think this can only be because once they admit that this is the problem, they are going to have to pay out on everyone. Human lives measured in dollars and cents. And I'm the animal for wanting to shoot some people for this. Heard anything about that Jon? it's supposed to be on Fox news tonight at 10, under the shame shame shame section. Also: Discovery Times today had a big special about it called 911: A Toxic Legacy. But I didn't get to see it.
Sen. Clinton wants $1.9B for 9/11 health funds
http://www.amny.com/news/local/newyork/am-wtc0123,0,1726955.story?coll=am-topheadlines
By Chuck Bennett
January 23, 2007
For the second day in a row Monday Clinton the Candidate attracted dozens of reporters from around the world -- this time as she demanded President Bush set aside $1.9 billion for 9/11 responders.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, during her second public appearance since announcing her White House ambitions Saturday, said it was "immoral and unacceptable" that federal funding will run out this summer for programs that treat first responders and lower Manhattan residents sickened by World Trade Center dust.
"I believe this is a moral responsibility of the nation," Clinton said, flanked by fellow members of Congress, 9/11 responders, and advocates. "This is a crisis and we need the president to respond."
Clearly the star of the news conference -- she drew a paparazzi-like swarm of photographers while Sen. Chuck Schumer was all but ignored -- Clinton also renewed calls for a comprehensive plan that will monitor everyone who was exposed to World Trade Center dust.
The worsening health of 9/11 responders has been a smoldering issue since last September when studies found 70% of them suffered some kind of respiratory damage and 60% continue to have problems.
Clinton also took a shot at the city government practice of challenging 9/11 disability claims.
"We appeal the city to end its resistance to taking care of people who took care of us," she said.
The mayor's spokesman Stu Loeser declined to talk about challenges to workers' 9/11-related claims, but said Bloomberg "has set up a WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital to expand assessment and treatment for those who fall through the cracks of existing federally-funded programs."
To highlight the human toll of the World Trade Center diseases, Clinton invited Ceaser Borja Jr., 21, as her guest at the president's State of the Union address Tuesday. Borja's father, a retired NYPD cop who has pulmonary fibrosis after responding on 9/11, is awaiting a double lung transplant.
Likewise, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens), who warned that health clinics will "get foreclosure notices," invited Joseph Zadroga, whose son, James, a police officer who responded on 9/11, died last year of a World Trade Center-related illness. He was the first confirmed death directly caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero.
Congressional hearings on funding for sick 9/11 responders is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
As for the presidential buzz, Clinton declined to talk about anything off-topic and took just two questions. She took questions on a live Web cast Monday evening.
http://www.amny.com/news/local/newyork/am-wtc0123,0,1726955.story?coll=am-topheadlines
By Chuck Bennett
January 23, 2007
For the second day in a row Monday Clinton the Candidate attracted dozens of reporters from around the world -- this time as she demanded President Bush set aside $1.9 billion for 9/11 responders.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, during her second public appearance since announcing her White House ambitions Saturday, said it was "immoral and unacceptable" that federal funding will run out this summer for programs that treat first responders and lower Manhattan residents sickened by World Trade Center dust.
"I believe this is a moral responsibility of the nation," Clinton said, flanked by fellow members of Congress, 9/11 responders, and advocates. "This is a crisis and we need the president to respond."
Clearly the star of the news conference -- she drew a paparazzi-like swarm of photographers while Sen. Chuck Schumer was all but ignored -- Clinton also renewed calls for a comprehensive plan that will monitor everyone who was exposed to World Trade Center dust.
The worsening health of 9/11 responders has been a smoldering issue since last September when studies found 70% of them suffered some kind of respiratory damage and 60% continue to have problems.
Clinton also took a shot at the city government practice of challenging 9/11 disability claims.
"We appeal the city to end its resistance to taking care of people who took care of us," she said.
The mayor's spokesman Stu Loeser declined to talk about challenges to workers' 9/11-related claims, but said Bloomberg "has set up a WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital to expand assessment and treatment for those who fall through the cracks of existing federally-funded programs."
To highlight the human toll of the World Trade Center diseases, Clinton invited Ceaser Borja Jr., 21, as her guest at the president's State of the Union address Tuesday. Borja's father, a retired NYPD cop who has pulmonary fibrosis after responding on 9/11, is awaiting a double lung transplant.
Likewise, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens), who warned that health clinics will "get foreclosure notices," invited Joseph Zadroga, whose son, James, a police officer who responded on 9/11, died last year of a World Trade Center-related illness. He was the first confirmed death directly caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero.
Congressional hearings on funding for sick 9/11 responders is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
As for the presidential buzz, Clinton declined to talk about anything off-topic and took just two questions. She took questions on a live Web cast Monday evening.
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AuGmENTor
Guest
Meh, let her do her thing to help, and THEN expose the fact that this problem has existed for YEARS, so why didn't she do anything sooner. Then she'll be screwed.
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AuGmENTor
Guest
You have to admit, it's been getting alot of press lately.
Desperate message for Bush from sick 9/11 responders
United front heads to D.C. to press for more funding to treat suffering heroes
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/116955722422530.xml&coll=1
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
By HEIDI J. SHRAGER
ADVANCE CITY HALL BUREAU
A retired NYPD detective, an ironworker and a dead cop's father have a message for President George Bush, who will give his State of the Union address tonight.
We saved lives. Now help save ours.
Rescue workers who developed lung diseases after breathing poisonous dust at Ground Zero are heading down to the president's State of the Union address today, in a bid to pressure federal officials to fund the growing medical needs of thousands of New Yorkers who heroically sprang into action after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The trip comes as medical experts and New York's congressional delegation are warning that $40 million in federal funds for the city's two main treatment programs is fast running out. "Our money will run out over the next several months," said Jacqueline Moline, the director of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment program at Mount Sinai, in which 19,000 first responders are registered.
New Yorkers traveling to Washington, D.C., today as guests of the New York congressional delegation include the family of the late NYPD Detective James Zadroga, who was the first confirmed post-9/11 death. Also heading to the capital is Ceasar Borja Jr., the son of Ceasar Borja, a retired NYPD officer now in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital with pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease that killed Zadroga just over a year ago.
BIPARTISAN BACKING
"We want people to have to look into the eyes of these men and women and then say, 'No, it's not our responsibility to make sure you have the health care you need to deal with these illnesses that came about because your country was attacked,'" said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York).
The junior senator and presidential candidate spoke during a news conference at Ground Zero yesterday, surrounded by other congressional members, medical experts and first responders. She gestured to her invited guest, 21-year-old Ceasar Borja Jr., saying federal funding is needed to treat patients like his father. The Queens retired officer toiled for 16-hour shifts at Ground Zero for five months, and must now vanquish a lung infection before he can be placed on the waiting list for a necessary lung transplant.
"In speaking with medical experts, it is absolutely clear that many of these victims will only survive if they are given lung transplants," said Mrs. Clinton.
Officials renewed their call for Bush to include in his budget $1.9 billion over the next five years. "This is not a huge amount of money in federal budgetary terms," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York).
Standing in a sea of Democrats, Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island) said he repeated the request to the White House budget director on Friday. "On the eve of the State of the Union, the one thing I was taught as a kid is that in this Union we take care of our own first," he said. "This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue so much as it's the right thing to do."
HIGH COST OF CARE
The requested amount is largely based on an internal document from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, obtained by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens). The document estimates an annual cost of $256 million for the care of the 32,000 people now registered in the city's two main programs. The first program is for 14,000 firefighters and the second is for the Mount Sinai program.
Dr. Moline said her clinic, along with the five sister hospitals in the program, are gearing up to send letters out to upwards of 4,000 patients who only just began getting treatment last September. "It sickens me, as a physician, that I am in this position."
Dr. Moline said she expects the number of people needing treatment to keep growing, as diseases like pulmonary fibrosis emerge in more people.
Although unexplained, experts say the disease is the lung's reaction to injury, whereby thick scar tissue builds up in the lungs, blocking air sacs and gradually suffocating victims. One possible precursor is sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease with which Eltingville resident Edward Wallace was diagnosed in 2002. The retired police detective was denied a disability pension even though he spent months at Ground Zero directly after Sept. 11. He now sees at least five separate doctors.
"The price tag is phenomenal," he told the Advance in December. Of his private healthcare provider, he said, "It's just a matter of time before they cut me off."
John Sferazo, an ironworker from Long Island, and another guest of the New York delegation, believes his work at Ground Zero reduced his breathing capacity and triggered other illnesses.
He hoped his presence tonight will make a difference.
Said Sferazo, president and co-founder of Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes: "This tragedy took 3,000 lives and continues to take our lives today."
Heidi J. Shrager covers City hall for the Advance. She may be reached at [email protected].
United front heads to D.C. to press for more funding to treat suffering heroes
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/116955722422530.xml&coll=1
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
By HEIDI J. SHRAGER
ADVANCE CITY HALL BUREAU
A retired NYPD detective, an ironworker and a dead cop's father have a message for President George Bush, who will give his State of the Union address tonight.
We saved lives. Now help save ours.
Rescue workers who developed lung diseases after breathing poisonous dust at Ground Zero are heading down to the president's State of the Union address today, in a bid to pressure federal officials to fund the growing medical needs of thousands of New Yorkers who heroically sprang into action after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The trip comes as medical experts and New York's congressional delegation are warning that $40 million in federal funds for the city's two main treatment programs is fast running out. "Our money will run out over the next several months," said Jacqueline Moline, the director of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment program at Mount Sinai, in which 19,000 first responders are registered.
New Yorkers traveling to Washington, D.C., today as guests of the New York congressional delegation include the family of the late NYPD Detective James Zadroga, who was the first confirmed post-9/11 death. Also heading to the capital is Ceasar Borja Jr., the son of Ceasar Borja, a retired NYPD officer now in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital with pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease that killed Zadroga just over a year ago.
BIPARTISAN BACKING
"We want people to have to look into the eyes of these men and women and then say, 'No, it's not our responsibility to make sure you have the health care you need to deal with these illnesses that came about because your country was attacked,'" said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York).
The junior senator and presidential candidate spoke during a news conference at Ground Zero yesterday, surrounded by other congressional members, medical experts and first responders. She gestured to her invited guest, 21-year-old Ceasar Borja Jr., saying federal funding is needed to treat patients like his father. The Queens retired officer toiled for 16-hour shifts at Ground Zero for five months, and must now vanquish a lung infection before he can be placed on the waiting list for a necessary lung transplant.
"In speaking with medical experts, it is absolutely clear that many of these victims will only survive if they are given lung transplants," said Mrs. Clinton.
Officials renewed their call for Bush to include in his budget $1.9 billion over the next five years. "This is not a huge amount of money in federal budgetary terms," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York).
Standing in a sea of Democrats, Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island) said he repeated the request to the White House budget director on Friday. "On the eve of the State of the Union, the one thing I was taught as a kid is that in this Union we take care of our own first," he said. "This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue so much as it's the right thing to do."
HIGH COST OF CARE
The requested amount is largely based on an internal document from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, obtained by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens). The document estimates an annual cost of $256 million for the care of the 32,000 people now registered in the city's two main programs. The first program is for 14,000 firefighters and the second is for the Mount Sinai program.
Dr. Moline said her clinic, along with the five sister hospitals in the program, are gearing up to send letters out to upwards of 4,000 patients who only just began getting treatment last September. "It sickens me, as a physician, that I am in this position."
Dr. Moline said she expects the number of people needing treatment to keep growing, as diseases like pulmonary fibrosis emerge in more people.
Although unexplained, experts say the disease is the lung's reaction to injury, whereby thick scar tissue builds up in the lungs, blocking air sacs and gradually suffocating victims. One possible precursor is sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease with which Eltingville resident Edward Wallace was diagnosed in 2002. The retired police detective was denied a disability pension even though he spent months at Ground Zero directly after Sept. 11. He now sees at least five separate doctors.
"The price tag is phenomenal," he told the Advance in December. Of his private healthcare provider, he said, "It's just a matter of time before they cut me off."
John Sferazo, an ironworker from Long Island, and another guest of the New York delegation, believes his work at Ground Zero reduced his breathing capacity and triggered other illnesses.
He hoped his presence tonight will make a difference.
Said Sferazo, president and co-founder of Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes: "This tragedy took 3,000 lives and continues to take our lives today."
Heidi J. Shrager covers City hall for the Advance. She may be reached at [email protected].
NY pressures Feds on 9/11 health funds
http://www.amny.com/news/local/groundzero/am-wtcnewsday0123,0,2412570.story?coll=am-topheadlines
BY EMI ENDO
NEWSDAY STAFF WRITER
January 23, 2007
An ironworker, a paramedic and an attorney who believe their illnesses stem from exposure at Ground Zero plan to attend President George W. Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night as guests of New York's congressional delegation.
They are among those urging Bush to include 9/11-related health care funding when he proposes his 2008 budget.
John Sferazo, of Huntington Station, an ironworker who worked at Ground Zero and attributes his reduced breathing capacity and other illnesses to 9/11, said he hoped his presence tonight will serve as a reminder of the needs of emergency responders and others.
"This tragedy took 3,000 lives and continues to take our lives today," Sferazo, president and cofounder of Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, said at a news conference Tuesday at the World Trade Center site.
The Bush administration has released more than $50 million of $75 million in federal funding to treat first responders through the New York Fire Department and hospitals, including The Mount Sinai Medical Center and Stony Brook University Medical Center. Demand is so high that the money will run out in the next several months, said Dr. Jacqueline Moline, director of Mount Sinai's program, which serves 19,000 patients. A Mount Sinai report found that nearly seven out of every 10 Ground Zero workers suffered lung problems.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official said in December that the Bush administration planned to report to Congress on a long-term treatment plan in February, after Bush submits his budget.
Also attending Bush's speech will be Ceasar Borja Jr., 21, of Bayside, whose father, former New York City Police Officer Cesar Borja, suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lung, which began in 2002. "It's really painful for me to be here, so close to where my father contracted this disease, but I am being strong ... for my father," said the younger Borja.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who has submitted legislation pegging the cost for long-term treatment at $1.9 billion, will give a gallery pass to Borja. "We want the president and members of Congress to see the faces of those who have suffered because of our negligence in refusing to take care of the people who responded to 9/11," she said.
http://www.amny.com/news/local/groundzero/am-wtcnewsday0123,0,2412570.story?coll=am-topheadlines
BY EMI ENDO
NEWSDAY STAFF WRITER
January 23, 2007
An ironworker, a paramedic and an attorney who believe their illnesses stem from exposure at Ground Zero plan to attend President George W. Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night as guests of New York's congressional delegation.
They are among those urging Bush to include 9/11-related health care funding when he proposes his 2008 budget.
John Sferazo, of Huntington Station, an ironworker who worked at Ground Zero and attributes his reduced breathing capacity and other illnesses to 9/11, said he hoped his presence tonight will serve as a reminder of the needs of emergency responders and others.
"This tragedy took 3,000 lives and continues to take our lives today," Sferazo, president and cofounder of Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, said at a news conference Tuesday at the World Trade Center site.
The Bush administration has released more than $50 million of $75 million in federal funding to treat first responders through the New York Fire Department and hospitals, including The Mount Sinai Medical Center and Stony Brook University Medical Center. Demand is so high that the money will run out in the next several months, said Dr. Jacqueline Moline, director of Mount Sinai's program, which serves 19,000 patients. A Mount Sinai report found that nearly seven out of every 10 Ground Zero workers suffered lung problems.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official said in December that the Bush administration planned to report to Congress on a long-term treatment plan in February, after Bush submits his budget.
Also attending Bush's speech will be Ceasar Borja Jr., 21, of Bayside, whose father, former New York City Police Officer Cesar Borja, suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lung, which began in 2002. "It's really painful for me to be here, so close to where my father contracted this disease, but I am being strong ... for my father," said the younger Borja.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who has submitted legislation pegging the cost for long-term treatment at $1.9 billion, will give a gallery pass to Borja. "We want the president and members of Congress to see the faces of those who have suffered because of our negligence in refusing to take care of the people who responded to 9/11," she said.
9/11 Cop Dies Just as His Son, Clinton's Guest, Faces Bush
Former NYPD officer Cesar Borja died Jan. 23. He had been fighting a sever lung disease, which his family believes he contracted by working at Ground Zero. His son attended the President's State of the Union.
http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/...n=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
(Gold9472: I'm crying as I post this.)
By DEVLIN BARRETT
1/23/2007
A former New York policeman died late Tuesday in a Manhattan hospital, just as his 21-year-old son prepared to appear at the State of the Union speech to symbolize the desperate health problems of his father and other sick Sept. 11 workers.
The former officer, Cesar Borja, 52, had been in intensive care, breathing through a tube, at Mount Sinai Medical Center, awaiting a lung transplant. Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Woods confirmed the death late Tuesday.
"He did pass on," Woods said.
His son, college student Ceasar Borja Jr., was invited by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to attend President Bush's speech as a reminder to the president of workers who were stricken with a host of illnesses after exposure to toxic World Trade Center debris.
The younger Borja learned of his father's death in a phone call while eating dinner around 6:30 p.m. He still planned to attend the speech.
The son's comments earlier in the day showed he was aware of just how critical his father's health situation had become -- and why it was still important for him to speak out in Washington.
"It's a very emotional time, and it's very difficult," said the son. "My father is a symbol of those in need, in desperation."
The Hunter College student said he came to Washington to make the point that there are many more whose lives are threatened by their exposure at ground zero.
"9/11 is not over. It didn't end in 2001. It is still affecting my father and numerous other first responders," he said. "My father is an extreme example of what can happen and what may and will happen in the future."
Clinton and other New York lawmakers have been urging the government for years to pay for treating Sept. 11-related illnesses.
While Democrats now control both chambers of Congress and have the power to pass and amend budget bills, the New York Democrats, who included Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer, said the responsibility lay principally with the Republican White House.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, whose district includes the site of the 2001 terror attacks, had the strongest language for Bush and the New York mayor.
"The villains are no longer the terrorists. The villains live in the White House and in Gracie Mansion," said Nadler, referring to the official home of the mayor of New York.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was in the city for a mayors' gathering on illegal guns, dismissed Nadler's attack.
"He'll have to speak for his own actions," said Bloomberg.
Rep. Peter King, a Long Island Republican who has signed on to the mayor's gun effort, said Nadler's comments crossed the line.
"That's the kind of rhetoric that doesn't help anybody," King said. "I agree that more should be done for 9/11 victims, but to be using language like that serves no purpose."
Even as several of the city's Democrats bashed Republicans, they said they could not guarantee that, now that their party is in power, the Congress would pass legislation paying for Sept. 11 health treatment.
"We certainly can't promise it," said Nadler, adding the issue would be decided by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "If I were the speaker, yeah, it would be in the budget."
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-Manhattan, was more optimistic but still could not guarantee the Democratic Congress would pass such a bill this year.
"I believe we will be successful," said Maloney. "We will fight till the last dog dies."
Former NYPD officer Cesar Borja died Jan. 23. He had been fighting a sever lung disease, which his family believes he contracted by working at Ground Zero. His son attended the President's State of the Union.
http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/...n=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
(Gold9472: I'm crying as I post this.)
By DEVLIN BARRETT
1/23/2007
A former New York policeman died late Tuesday in a Manhattan hospital, just as his 21-year-old son prepared to appear at the State of the Union speech to symbolize the desperate health problems of his father and other sick Sept. 11 workers.
The former officer, Cesar Borja, 52, had been in intensive care, breathing through a tube, at Mount Sinai Medical Center, awaiting a lung transplant. Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Woods confirmed the death late Tuesday.
"He did pass on," Woods said.
His son, college student Ceasar Borja Jr., was invited by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to attend President Bush's speech as a reminder to the president of workers who were stricken with a host of illnesses after exposure to toxic World Trade Center debris.
The younger Borja learned of his father's death in a phone call while eating dinner around 6:30 p.m. He still planned to attend the speech.
The son's comments earlier in the day showed he was aware of just how critical his father's health situation had become -- and why it was still important for him to speak out in Washington.
"It's a very emotional time, and it's very difficult," said the son. "My father is a symbol of those in need, in desperation."
The Hunter College student said he came to Washington to make the point that there are many more whose lives are threatened by their exposure at ground zero.
"9/11 is not over. It didn't end in 2001. It is still affecting my father and numerous other first responders," he said. "My father is an extreme example of what can happen and what may and will happen in the future."
Clinton and other New York lawmakers have been urging the government for years to pay for treating Sept. 11-related illnesses.
While Democrats now control both chambers of Congress and have the power to pass and amend budget bills, the New York Democrats, who included Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer, said the responsibility lay principally with the Republican White House.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, whose district includes the site of the 2001 terror attacks, had the strongest language for Bush and the New York mayor.
"The villains are no longer the terrorists. The villains live in the White House and in Gracie Mansion," said Nadler, referring to the official home of the mayor of New York.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was in the city for a mayors' gathering on illegal guns, dismissed Nadler's attack.
"He'll have to speak for his own actions," said Bloomberg.
Rep. Peter King, a Long Island Republican who has signed on to the mayor's gun effort, said Nadler's comments crossed the line.
"That's the kind of rhetoric that doesn't help anybody," King said. "I agree that more should be done for 9/11 victims, but to be using language like that serves no purpose."
Even as several of the city's Democrats bashed Republicans, they said they could not guarantee that, now that their party is in power, the Congress would pass legislation paying for Sept. 11 health treatment.
"We certainly can't promise it," said Nadler, adding the issue would be decided by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "If I were the speaker, yeah, it would be in the budget."
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-Manhattan, was more optimistic but still could not guarantee the Democratic Congress would pass such a bill this year.
"I believe we will be successful," said Maloney. "We will fight till the last dog dies."
Mayor defends city on 9/11 health
http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-bloom0124,0,3805521.story?coll=am-local-headlines
By Chuck Bennett
January 24, 2007
Mayor Bloomberg said Tuesday that the city is "acting responsibly" by challenging the health-related legal claims of 9/11 responders.
His strong defense made at a news conference came one day after he was blasted by Sen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. Jerrold Nadler for the practice.
"They can say anything they want," Bloomberg said. "The Corporation Counsel is acting responsibly, protecting the interests of New York City. We're trying to make sure that we help those who really need the help."
At a news conference at Ground Zero on Monday, Clinton said, "We appeal to the city to end its resistance to taking care of people who took care of us."
As many as 8,000 Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers could eventually file claims, according to a court ruling last year.
"We're not going to walk away from anybody," Bloomberg said.
http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-bloom0124,0,3805521.story?coll=am-local-headlines
By Chuck Bennett
January 24, 2007
Mayor Bloomberg said Tuesday that the city is "acting responsibly" by challenging the health-related legal claims of 9/11 responders.
His strong defense made at a news conference came one day after he was blasted by Sen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. Jerrold Nadler for the practice.
"They can say anything they want," Bloomberg said. "The Corporation Counsel is acting responsibly, protecting the interests of New York City. We're trying to make sure that we help those who really need the help."
At a news conference at Ground Zero on Monday, Clinton said, "We appeal to the city to end its resistance to taking care of people who took care of us."
As many as 8,000 Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers could eventually file claims, according to a court ruling last year.
"We're not going to walk away from anybody," Bloomberg said.