THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SCAVELLO, ADOLPH, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DALLY, DONATUCCI, D. EVANS, FARRY, GEIST, GEORGE, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, HOUGHTON, KORTZ, KOTIK, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MILLARD, MILLER, MURPHY, MURT, MUSTIO, REICHLEY, SEIP, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, J. TAYLOR, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 26, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 26, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the Congress of the United States to enact H.R. 847,

which would establish the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and

Compensation Act.

WHEREAS, An estimated 100,000 workers and volunteers

participated in the rescue, recovery and cleanup after the

terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center of September 11,

2001; and

WHEREAS, Those who participated in the operations at the

World Trade Center on or after September 11th were exposed to a

variety of environmental toxins and psychological strains; and

WHEREAS, Many of the individuals affected by the terrorist

attacks experienced severe physical and mental problems in the

period immediately following September 11th; and

WHEREAS, A considerable number of people continue to have

physical and mental difficulties, and it is unknown what other

problems may develop in the future; and

WHEREAS, Although there are three Centers of Excellence in

World Trade Center health care in New York City that screen and

treat those affected by the September 11th attacks, those

clinics have struggled to maintain and improve their services

without a steady stream of Federal funding; and

WHEREAS, The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,

known as H.R. 847, was introduced to provide medical monitoring

and treatment for anyone exposed to toxins from the World Trade

Center; and

WHEREAS, H.R. 847 would establish the World Trade Center

Health Programs within the National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health to provide free care for responders and others

affected by the events of September 11th; and

WHEREAS, The enactment of H.R. 847 will ensure that first

responders and others who spent time in the area around the

World Trade Center would receive medical monitoring and

treatment for all conditions related to the terrorist attacks,

and research into medical conditions related to the World Trade

Center would be conducted; and

WHEREAS, Courage and sacrifice demonstrated by the citizens

of this country are worthy of acknowledgment and the necessary

treatment, and those who suffer deserve to be recognized for

their courage, sacrifice and struggles; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Congress

of the United States to enact H.R. 847, which would establish

the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States, to the presiding officers of

each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from

Pennsylvania.