HR0414 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0414 LRB099 12066 MST 34718 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001, enemy terrorist action destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City; and

WHEREAS, Over 63,000 first responders assembled at the site of the World Trade Center to provide emergency assistance under unimaginable conditions; the wreckage of the building contained large quantities of toxic substances which have had, and will continue to have, significant effects upon the health status and quality of life of many of these first responders; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 170 of these 9/11 first responders currently reside in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, A federal law, the James Zadroga Act, oversees health care and compensation to all on this list of 63,000 and their survivors; this Act authorizes operation of the World Trade Center Health Program for medical monitoring and treatment and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provides compensation for economic damages and loss to responders and survivors; and

WHEREAS, Under the James Zadroga Act, 33,000 first responders have been diagnosed with 9/11-related medical conditions, 10,549 claimants have been determined to be eligible for compensation, 7,800 persons have been classified as having been injured at the 9/11 site, compensation decisions have been made for 4,415 persons, and well more than $1 billion has been paid out; and

WHEREAS, These figures are expected to increase in future years due to health diagnoses arising from exposure to 9/11 conditions; and

WHEREAS, Despite these needs, the World Trade Center Health Program will sunset in October of 2015 and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund will sunset in October of 2016; and

WHEREAS, United States Senators Mark Kirk of Illinois, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Chuck Schumer of New York, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have joined as bipartisan lead co-sponsors of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act; this reauthorization act will extend the lifespan of these vital programs and will add additional research into the diagnosis and treatment of 9/11-related health conditions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon the United States Congress to take prompt action to reauthorize the James Zadroga 9/11 family of programs and to fully fund these programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend Senators Mark Kirk, Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, and Lisa Murkowski for their bipartisan sponsorship of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize other federal Senators and members of the United States House of Representatives, who are also showing their support for these 63,000 first responders; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the House of the U.S. House of Representatives, and each member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.