NYPD detective James Zadroga passed away four years ago today. He was the first 9/11 responder whose death was officially associated with his work at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
The NYC Firefighter Brotherhood Foundation, joined by several other organizations, gathered together to read the names of 100 or more 9/11 responders who have died as a result of illnesses that occurred after doing rescue and recovery operations.
The gathering, a memorial for Zadroga, was also to support H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009, which would provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits for responders and recovery workers. The bill also supports compensation for people affected directly by ground zero. Currently, ground zero workers have not received any compensation from the government.
James Zadroga died on Jan. 5, 2006, due to respiratory problems that resulted from 400 hours of work near the remains of the World Trade Center. He was 34.
“We must pass this bill,” said one of the main sponsors of the bill, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). The bill is “the least we can do” to support the recovery workers at ground zero, she added.
“I hope we can finally pass comprehensive 9/11 health legislation before any more names are added to the list of those who died from 9/11-related illnesses,” said Rep. Maloney.
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