Today's ruling will literally save lives. We as a nation have a moral obligation to the brave first responders who put themselves in harm's way and this decision greatly furthers our goal of meeting that obligation. It is also crucially important for many of my Lower Manhattan neighbors who may have been sickened by the toxic dust from the World Trade Center for weeks and months following 9/11. The health and safety of those who lived through those terrible days must always be a top priority for our city, state and nation.