Senator Kirk on 14th Anniversary of 9/11 Terror Attacks: “The Wounds Our Nation Suffered 14 Years Ago Will Never be Forgotten…”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement today marking the 14th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks that claimed the lives of 2,977 and left thousands more living with illness and injury sustained from the attacks and their aftermath: 

“The wounds our nation suffered 14 years ago will never be forgotten, and today we honor the memory of the 2,977 men, women and children who were taken from their families in the name of terrorism. There are thousands more victims who live among us today, like the first responders and volunteers who are suffering from illnesses and injuries sustained from the attacks and their aftermath. The World Trade Center Health Program is set to expire this year, and along with Senator Gillibrand, I have introduced legislation to extend this program and support those who rushed towards danger to help our nation and our families rebuild during one of the darkest days in American history. The health of these heroes is a bipartisan cause we can all support.” 

BACKGROUND:

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act would:

Continue the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. The World Trade Center Health Program would continue medical monitoring for 9/11-related illnesses for over 63,000 9/11 first responders and treatment for over 7,800 injured 9/11 survivors. Over 33,000 of these responders and survivors have at least one or more medical conditions as a result of their 9/11 exposure.

Continue Monitoring and Treatment for Communities Throughout the Nation. The program would continue to provide medical monitoring and treatment for responders to the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site who live outside the New York metropolitan area. Treatment is included for the over 7,900 injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors including responders who came to New York to provide assistance after 9/11 and those from New York who have moved out of the New York Metropolitan area.

Continue the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The fund, which is scheduled to close on October 3rd 2016, would remain open and fully funded to provide compensation for economic damages and loss for responders and survivors who were injured by exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero. To date, the VCF has determined 10,549 claimants eligible and has made compensation decisions for 4,415 injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors for over a billion dollars in compensation. More are expected in the coming years due to the delayed onset of cancer from 9/11 exposure.

Continue to Research New Conditions. The legislation would continue research in diagnosing and treating WTC-related illnesses.