In March, Bloomberg joined members of the New York congressional delegation in urging Obama to reappoint Howard because of his work on behalf of those whose health was affected by 9/11. As a result of Howard’s efforts, the country has three centers of excellence dedicated to treating, monitoring and understanding the health impacts of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Howard also has championed funding for critical 9/l1 research, including the WTC Health Registry, whose 71,000 volunteers from nearly every congressional district in the United States help researchers truly understand the health impacts of this national tragedy.
"Through this appointment, President Obama has demonstrated his continued commitment to helping responders, local-area workers, community members and others affected by the attacks of 9/11,” said Bloomberg. “Many of those affected continue to suffer the physical and mental health effects of the attacks, yet the WTC health programs that are treating and monitoring those who are sick, or who could become sick, are not yet permanently funded.”
Bloomberg urged Congress to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847/S. 1334), and promised, “I will continue working with the New York congressional delegation to make that a reality.”
In other 9/11-related news, the "Tribute in Light” will return for one night as a tribute to all those who were lost on Sept. 11th as well as those who worked so hard on rescue, recovery and rebuilding following the attacks on the World Trade Center. The lights are located at West and Morris Streets in Lower Manhattan. They will come on at sunset on Sept. 11 and will fade away at dawn on Sept. 12.