FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29, 2010

Statement from Speaker Sheldon Silver
On the Passage of the 9/11 First Responder Bill by
The House of Representatives


Today's vote by the House is an important step towards fulfilling the moral obligation that we as a nation owe the heroes of 9/11.

The brave rescue workers who sacrificed so much to come to the aid of our city and the residents of Lower Manhattan, many of whom continue to suffer in the aftermath of the tragedy, are casualties of the worst attack our nation has ever known.

By voting to provide crucial health care to these survivors, Congress has sent a clear message that it is ready to stand up for those who stood up for us.

I want to thank Congress members Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Anthony Weiner and the rest of our New York Congressional delegation, for their dedication and hard work on t his legislation. I urge the Senate to pass this bill and the President to sign it into law.