President Obama signs 9/11 first responders bill

President Obama signs 9/11 first responders bill

2011-01-03 18:57:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

HONOLULU (BNO NEWS) -- President Barack Obama on Sunday signed a bill which will provide assistance to survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to rescue workers who became ill as a result of working at Ground Zero.

The 'James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act' establishes the World Trade Center Health Program and extends and expands eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. It was named after New York City Police Department officer James Zadroga who died of a respiratory disease that has been attributed to his help during rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero.

Obama said he believed the bill is a 'critical step' for those who continue to bear the physical scars of the September 11 attacks. "I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need," he said after signing the bill. "We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who risked their lives to save others."

On September 11, 2001, two hijacked airliners crashed into both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Another airliner crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., while a fourth crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

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