TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by the Democratic members of the Bergen County delegation in the State Senate – Senators Loretta Weinberg Paul A. Sarlo and Bob Gordon – which would urge Congress to enact H.R.847, known as the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010” after a Bergen County first responder and NYPD officer who died due to complications from working at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks was unanimously approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
“In America’s darkest hour, James Zadroga and thousands of other courageous Americans took up the call to duty and headed to Ground Zero to help in clean-up and recovery efforts,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Teaneck. “Nine years after the September 11 attacks, Americans are still dealing with the after-effects, including long-term health problems caused by exposure to airborne toxins, and post-traumatic stress. America owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who answered the call to service, and I think it’s absolutely shameful that Republicans in the U.S. Senate are holding up this bill in order to force reauthorization of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.”