WASHINGTON DC – 02.21.08 – Over 200 9/11 First Responders, family members and
supporters will be rallying on Capitol Hill this Tuesday, February 26th.
From 10:00am to 12:00pm, First Responders will rally on the West Lawn of Capitol
Hill.
Scheduled speakers include Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY), Congressman
Jerry Nadler (NY), Congressman Tim Bishop (NY) Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH)
and other Congressional leaders. Advocates of several 9/11 health organizations
as well as family members and first responders from September 11, 2001 will
also be discussing the health issues they currently face.
The rally is aimed to address the following issues:
* The federal government just cut 9/11 Health Care funding by 77%. A paltry
$25 million was designated for fiscal year 2009, down from $108 million in
2008. This means every program in existence (including Mt. Sinai) will be
operating on a severely reduced budget.* This past December 2007, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael
Leavitt canceled plans for the World Trade Center Business Process Center.
This center was designed to provide treatment for the 10,000-plus First Responders
who reside outside the New York metropolitan area, many of whom are seriously
ill.* The 9/11 Health & Compensation Act (aka the James Zadroga bill) has
still not been passed. This very important piece of legislation that would
help all 9/11 families has been ignored within Congress up until now–it is
time to speak up to to get it passed!
After the event, 9/11 health leaders have several scheduled meetings, including
with the offices of Congressmembers Eliot Engel, Jim Moran, Chris Smith, Albio
Sires, John Conyers, Kristen Gillibrand, Gary Ackerman, Chris Murphy, Joe Donnelly,
Lois Capps, David Drier, Duncan Hunter, John Murtha, Stephanie Tubbs Jones,
Gregory Meeks, Dennis Kucinich, John Conyers, John Hall and Chris Shays and
meetings with the offices of Senators John McCain, Judd Gregg, Sherrod Brown,
Elizabeth Dole, Chuck Schumer and John Warner.
The event is being organized and hosted by John Feal and the Fealgood Foundation
(www.fealgoodfoundation.com)
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/31229
From Fealgoodfoundation.com:
A critical event is coming up February 26th, and we are asking YOU
to participate:
The time is NOW. In the six years since September 11th, the
9/11 Community has become increasingly desperate. More people have fallen sick,
friends and loved ones have died, entire families have been torn apart by the
9/11 Health Crisis, which is only worsening as time goes on. Consider the following
recent developments:
* The government just cut 9/11Health Care funding by 77%. A paltry $25 million
was designated for fiscal year 2009, down from $108 million in 2008. This means
every program in existence (including Mt. Sinai) will be operating on a budget
that is less than one-fourth of what it was previously.
* This past December 2007, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael
Leavitt canceled plans for the World Trade Center Business Process Center. This
center was designed to provide treatment for the 10,000-plus First Responders
who reside outside the New York metropolitan area, many of whom are seriously
ill.
* The 9/11 Health & Compensation Act (aka the James Zadroga bill) has still
not been passed. This hugely important piece of legislation that would help
all 9/11 families has been ignored within Congress for years now–it is time
to speak up to to get it passed!
The above developments are too important to let slide. We need everyone to
show up and speak up, so that relief will come to the 9/11 Community at last.
We CAN change the face of 9/11 Health–But we need YOUR HELP to do it:
We need a LARGE GROUP of 9/11 Families to make the trip. (Transportation and
accommodation are provided at no charge). We need Responders, wives, husbands,
kids–ANY 9/11 family member who wants to make a difference! We are shooting
for minimum 2 bus-loads…. The more people who show up, the more presence we
will have on Capitol Hill…
CLICK
HERE FOR UPDATED ITINERARY as of 2/21/2008
Departure (from the NY/LI/NJ area): MONDAY February 25th
Overnight stay
TUESDAY February 26th: 11am – 2pm: Rally for 9/11 Health: Speeches, Media, Demonstrations
2pm onwards: Press Conference, Congressional Appointments
Return: TUESDAY February 26th (evening)
Many thanks for considering this all-important mission… Please respond as
soon as possible to one of the following parties, in order that we may finalize
trip details:
John Feal, FealGood Foundation, 631-724-3320 email: feal13@aol.com
Anne Marie Baumann, FealGood Foundation, 516-551-0986 email: ar1cb2@verizon.net
Glen Klein, FealGood Foundation, 516-655-1478 email: TRUBLUENY@aol.com
Claire Calladine 9/11 Health Now 314-614-3245; email: 911health.now@gmail.com
Joe Lutrario 9/11Health Now 631-455-9746; email: joseph.lutrario@gmail.com
Infinite Thanks to All. TOGETHER, we WILL change the face of 9/11 Health…
Yours Truly,
John, Glen & Anne Marie, FealGood Foundation
Claire & Joe, 9/11 Health Now
