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Members of the Fealgood Foundation, the 9/11 Police Aid Foundation and their supporters held a rally at Ground Zero calling for the passage of House Resolution 847 yesterday morning. President Barack Obama recently expressed his opposition to the bill that would provide health care assistance to 9/11 responders.
John Feal, president and founder of the Fealgood Foundation, said that the Obama administration's wavering support of the bill is "unacceptable, unforgivable, and un-American."
"It's a huge betrayal," Jennifer McNamara said. Her husband recently died of cancer believed to be caused by working conditions at Ground Zero. "I am here to fight, and continue what my husband started."
Before his death, McNamara's husband had asked her to give his FDNY badge to Obama, but after the president's announcement last week she said she would refuse to do so.
"President Obama, unless he changes his stance on supporting 9/11 responders, will never see that badge. He doesn't deserve it," McNamara said.
Participants at the rally hoped to persuade Obama to reconsider the bill and warned that they would be relentless in their efforts to persuade him.
"We're a reaction to their lack of reaction," Feal said.
"We're not going to rest until this bill is passed," said Gary White, a retired NYPD Squad Commander.
The rally seems to have reached the White House. Shortly after the protest, Obama announced that he would take another look at the proposed bill. He once again expressed immense gratitude toward those who served and said he intends to work with them to ensure that they are cared for.
Organizers of the conference were pleased with these results.
"We sent a message that will resonate in D.C.," Feal said. "And we remain optimistic that the president will do the right thing."
joe radovitch
Feb 04, 2010
3:02 p.m.
Glad to see this article published, such an important subject in our own backyard worthy of the press. But as a reader, I'm left with more questions than information about this stalled House Resolution, the Feal Good Foundation, how many people are affected, etc.
What is the Feal Good Foundation?
Roughly how many people attended the rally?
How many Ground Zero workers have died since 9/11? John Feel probably knows, and it is most definitely online somewhere to be verified..
Why has this legislation not been passed--the attacks took place nine years ago!?
Was a call placed to Frank Pallone or WH Press Secretary Gibbs?
From the NY Daily News--
"The latest politician to put them on the back burner is New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, who promised in September to bring up the bill in his subcommittee in October. He never did. The Daily News asked three times what happened. Pallone's office answered twice that they'd look into it.
We're still waiting, and so are the ailing heroes of Sept.11, and the spouses and children of the dead and dying, because Jim Ryan will not be the last victim of Sept. 11."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/12/27/2009-12-27_the_other_victims_of_911_li_firefighters_death_and_the_renewed_call_for_bill_to_.html#ixzz0ebCUcaEc
Decent photo, decent quotes, pressing/relatively unreported topic. Hope to read a follow-up in the WSN on this article soon? Investigate series?
If anything, its a start, and hopefully helps spread awareness for these sick and dying first responders.
renee stark
Feb 04, 2010
6:47 p.m.
Interesting how the Times article today pertaining to the first responders didn't even mention the protest, the Zadroga Bill by name and the FeelGood Foundation:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/nyregion/05zero.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
I'm just ashamed to read the NYTimes comments on this article (not WSN!). People were so hurtful on that comments section in a bunch of responses, telling these first responders to go away, that they shouldn't be taken care of. It was there job to help and they did!
What kind of a country do we live in when the people who risk their lives for others in the line of duty are ignored to the point of law suits?
The person who wrote "$ for Afghanistan zero for first responders" up top on nyunews.com hit the nail on the head. For all the slick talk out of washington and our president receiving the Peace Prize, we're watching the same military machine Cheney drove for years.
John Feal
Feb 11, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Joe,
Great questions. www.fealgoodfoundation.com is were you can learn about us. Over 60,000 are affected by 9/11 and its aftermath,over 20,000 are being treated for 9/11 related illnesses. And over 830 have died since 9/11/01 from 9/11 related illnesses. These are statistics from state and federal agencies. The reason our bill H.R 847 has not been passed is because human life takes a back seat to the almighty dollar. And 60 people attended the press-conference.
Best,
John Feal
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