WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act – the first comprehensive 9/11 health legislation ever to be introduced in the Senate.  The measure, co-sponsored by senators Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg, and Robert Menendez, would ensure proper monitoring and treatment for the innocent men, women and children that face potential life-threatening health effects due to the toxins released at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Gillibrand was joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, and Michael E. McMahon, along with Jack Ahearn, President of New York City Labor Council, Joseph Zadroga, father of James Zadroga, Fire Lt. Marty Fullam, Ken George, a city employee who aided with clean up after the tragedy, and other 9/11 first responders, construction workers, clean-up workers, and community members, who have suffered long lasting health effects.

“We have an undeniable moral obligation to help the heroes of 9/11 and all others exposed, and failure to do so may have long-lasting implications on future response efforts,” said New York’s junior senator. “While we are all too aware of the damage that was done on September 11th, no one could imagine the long lasting harm that would be done to the health and well being of thousands of first responders and innocent men, women, and children in New York at that time.  I commend my predecessor, Secretary Clinton, as well as my colleagues in both the Senate and the House, who invested tremendous effort over several years to get us to this point. Today we are taking a major step toward fulfilling our obligation, but we have a lot of work left to do.”