Resolution 080322

..Title Resolution calling upon the United States House of Representatives to pass and the United States Senate to introduce and pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 3543). ..Body WHEREAS, It is estimated that almost 100,000 workers and volunteers participated in rescue, recovery and clean-up after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center of September 11, 2001; and WHEREAS, Many Philadelphia Police officers and Firefighters, among many other Philadelphians, voluntarily went to New York City to assist with the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts following the September 11th attacks; and WHEREAS, Those who participated in the operations at the World Trade Center and those who lived, worked, attended school or otherwise spent time in the area around the World Trade Center on or after September 11th were exposed to a variety of environmental toxins and psychological strains; and WHEREAS, Many of the individuals affected by the terrorist attacks experienced severe physical and mental problems in the period immediately following September 11th; and WHEREAS, A considerable number of people continue to have physical and mental difficulties and it is unknown what other problems may develop in the future; and WHEREAS, While there are three Centers of Excellence in World Trade Center health care in the City of New York that screen and treat those affected by the September 11th attacks, these clinics have struggled to maintain and improve their services without a steady stream of federal funding; and WHEREAS, The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 3543) was introduced in the United States House by Representatives Maloney, Nadler and Fossella to provide medical monitoring and treatment for anyone exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center; and WHEREAS, The Act would establish the World Trade Center Health Programs within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to provide free care for responders and others affected by the events on September 11th; and WHEREAS, A World Trade Center Health Program Steering Committee and a World Trade Center Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee would be created by the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; and WHEREAS, The Act would ensure that the first responders and those who worked, lived or otherwise spent time in the area around the World Trade Center would receive medical monitoring and treatment for all conditions related to the terrorist attacks of September 11th; and WHEREAS, The administrator of the Act would be able to establish a national network of providers to serve eligible first responders living outside of New York; and WHEREAS, Research into conditions related to the World Trade Center would be conducted under the Act; and WHEREAS, The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would reopen the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund to provide compensation for damages incurred by first responders and others who did not file a claim before or became ill after the Fund was closed; and WHEREAS, City Councils in New York City, Atlanta, Newark and Baltimore have expressed their support of the Health and Compensation Act by adopting resolutions and submitting letters of support; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby call upon the United States House of Representatives to pass and the United States Senate to introduce and pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 3543). ..End