Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Staten Island and Brooklyn lawmakers urge U.S. Senate Republicans to pass the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act”
Unprecedented gathering of elected officials at Borough Hall declare that “a national tragedy has turned into a federal embarrassment”
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today was joined by the entire delegation of Island GOP lawmakers and Brooklyn’s State Senator Martin Golden at a press conference to implore U.S. Senate Republicans to pass the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.”
The unprecedented gathering of elected officials at Borough Hall was a show of support for Molinaro’s letter to U.S. Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urging passage of the 9/11 first responders bill now pending in the Senate. Molinaro today also sent a letter to all U.S. Senate Republicans asking for their support as well.
In his letter to Senate Republicans, Molinaro said. “I am writing to you as Borough President of a community whose residents comprised 10% of the victims lost on 9/11, and a community that is home to hundreds of first responders. I am writing to you to plead for the first responders and their families, and I am imploring you to vote in favor of the 9/11 first responders bill.”
At the Borough Hall press conference, the elected officials spoke of the bravery of the 9/11 first responders and their struggle with ensuing illnesses. City Councilmember Vincent Ignizio introduced his uncle Richard Ignizio, a Port Authority Police Officer, who spoke of his experiences after 9/11. State Assemblyman Lou Tobacco described a fundraiser that was held for his friend, Firefighter Richard Manetta, who eventually died from cancer after working at Ground Zero.
“A national tragedy has been transformed into a federal embarrassment,” Molinaro said at the press conference. “No first responder should be forced to hold fundraisers to treat their illnesses. The Senate must pass this bill. We owe our 9/11 heroes so much. The Senate should do no less. Please pass the bill.”
Letter to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
December 2, 2010