2019-K442
Assembly Resolution No. 442
BY: M. of A. Rozic
URGING the New York State Congressional delegation
to support H.R. 7062 and S. 3592, relating to the
Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of
the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act
WHEREAS, The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was
created to provide compensation for losses resulting from 9/11 related
illnesses and originally operated from 2001 to 2004; and
WHEREAS, Since its creation, funding for the VCF has been threatened
and required reauthorization through the James Zadroga Act 9/11 Health
and Compensation Act (Zadroga Act) which was first enacted in 2011,
established the World Trade Center Health Program, and reactivated the
VCF through October 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Zadroga Act was renewed in 2015 to permanently extend
the World Trade Center Health Program and reauthorize an additional $4.6
billion in funding through December 2020; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress has introduced the Never Forget
the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund Act to ensure all 9/11 first responders and survivors
continue receiving compensation; and
WHEREAS, VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya announced this year
that approximately $2.375 billion of the $7.375 billion funding
appropriated through December 2020 is available to compensate all
pending and anticipated future claims filed through the program's
expiration; and
WHEREAS, More than 50,000 New Yorkers have registered claims and the
count is expected to rise as new 9/11 related cancers from exposure to
Ground Zero toxins are discovered; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is
respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to support H.R. 7062
and S. 3592, relating to the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent
Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the
Congress of the United States from the State of New York.