Tell Congress we will never forget 9/11 first responders and survivors

Tell Congress we will never forget 9/11 first responders and survivors

Started
September 10, 2015
Petition to
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 184,567 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by John Feal

I went to Ground Zero shortly after the 9/11 attacks because I knew my experience as a US Army veteran and demolition supervisor would be of service to my country. I live with the memory of the lives lost that day, but also the sadness of knowing survivors are still dying from cancer, respiratory illness, and other health problems while their families struggle to put food on the table. Congress now has the choice whether or not to extend the Zadroga Act to permanently cover health expenses of our 9/11 heroes, and I ask you to please sign my petition to gain support for our fellow Americans in their time of need.

Tragically, our elected officials have refused to come together to guarantee support for these victims through an extension of the Zadroga Act (named after a police officer who died from illnesses sustained at Ground Zero). I’ve been to 144 funerals since September 11, 2001 including services for many first-responders who joined me at Ground Zero days after the attacks. I know there are thousands of more families out there who continue to face steep medical bills and struggle every day just to survive. This is no way to treat human beings who sacrificed so much that day. Americans from every state and nearly every Congressional district were affected on 9/11.

We can and must demand better action from Congress on behalf of all Americans. Tell Congress the Zadroga Act needs to be permanently extended because 9/11 survivors’ illnesses do not simply get cured if funding gets cut -- our American heroes will die without our support.

Along with Jon Stewart and other advocates for this cause, I’ll be in Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress. I want to gain as many signatures as possible to show the outpouring of love and support from all Americans who believe now is the time for solutions and problem solving. Two key programs in the Zadroga Act are set to expire soon (the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program in September 2015 and September 11th Victim Compensation Fund in October 2016). But we know extending these programs will help ease pain and suffering for thousands of victims and their families.

We once were able to get support for these 9/11 first responders and survivors, but it was not a permanent solution. I have since met people from across the nation who believe America’s elected officials have the moral responsibility to serve and protect their constituents with a permanent extension of this Act. It’s up to us to ensure the 9/11 responders and victims are supported after they sacrificed everything.

When it comes to this issue, we can all agree there are no Republicans or Democrats -- only Americans. Please encourage your member of Congress to vote for American heroes who have been suffering since 9/11. Please tell Congress to extend the Zadroga Act.

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 184,567 supporters!

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