LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to work to secure the release of federal funding for certain World
Trade Center related health programs

WHEREAS, The continuation of funding for the World Trade Center Respon-
der Health Program, the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Use Benefit
Program and the World Trade Center Health Registry are of critical
importance to all New Yorkers, particularly those who were directly
effected by the devastating terrorist attacks on our country on Septem-
ber 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Office of Management and Budget has not yet made
the necessary funding approvals for these three critical programs,
despite assurances from United States Health and Human Services Secre-
tary Kathleen Sebelius that funding would be provided; and
WHEREAS, The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Use Benefit Program
provides mental health coverage for those affected by the World Trade
Center attacks and continues a similar program funded by the Red Cross;
and
WHEREAS, The World Trade Center Health Registry gathers information
about the physical and mental health status of registrants who were
exposed to environmental contaminants for up to 20 years through regular
health surveys and detailed studies; without the necessary funding, the
Registry would be unable to support ongoing research on cancers and
other potentially emerging conditions; and
WHEREAS, The World Trade Center Health Program's Centers of Excellence
provide care for WTC responders and survivors with WTC-related
illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Police officers are especially sensitive to this issue, with
growing numbers of responders dying from cancer; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, thereby urges our New York State Congressional delegation
to address our concerns with regard to the withholding of funds for
those heroes who helped respond to the events of 9/11; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to work to
secure the release of federal funding for certain World Trade Center
related health programs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.