Pelosi Remarks at Bill Enrollment Ceremony for the Never Forget The Heroes Act
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Washington D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats for a bill enrollment ceremony for H.R. 1327, the Never Forget The Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. Below are the Speaker's remarks:
Speaker Pelosi. Okay, good – it is still morning. Good morning, everyone.
On this busy day in the Capitol, it is a source of joy for all of us to come together to sign the enrollment of the 9/11 legislation. It is – 9/11 was a day that caused pain in our country that we never could have imagined, but we witnessed heroism that we will never forget.
On that day of horror, our brave first responders were there for America. Now, with the Never Forget The Heroes Act, the Congress is there for them.
And let me just say, because I think it – because of the work of so many people outside and in the Congress, right from the start, we had grants and the rest to try to meet the needs as we could identify them at the time.
In 2010, we established an initiative that would take care of the health concerns and some compensation. 2015, we put to rest any thought that there would not – funds would not be there for health.
But since then, what we have learned is many more people have contracted cancer or other diagnoses which need compensation for – the health care is provided, but the compensation, not.
So, I think it is really important to note that the activism of the people, the heroes, at the time of 9/11 and, since making clear the challenges that they continue to face, now has legislation that removes all doubt as we go forward. That not only the health benefits, but also the compensation for the families who have been, who have diagnoses or, unfortunately, deaths, including one funeral today that Congresswoman Maloney will speak of.
So, I want to thank Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman King on the House side. We are very honored to be joined by the distinguished Democratic Leader in the Senate, who is very – fighting for this all from day one. And Jerry Nadler would be with us, except he is attending to the people's business, protecting the Constitution of the United States.
So, again, we will send this bill back to the Senate to be signed by the Vice President and then – as President of the Senate – and then on to the President's desk as soon as possible.
I am very honored that we are joined by so many of our colleagues in addition to those I named, Congressman Suozzi of New York, Congresswoman Meng of New York, Congressman Rose of New York, and Congressman – oh, Chairman – Congressman Engel of New York. Delgado, Congressman Delgado has joined us. Many of our other New York Members are in committee, but they are here in spirit and have been there in this challenge.
Again, with a salute to those who will be recognized by Congresswoman Maloney, to those – outside mobilization is always essential to getting the best possible result, no matter how hard we maneuver in the Congress.
With that, I'm pleased to yield to the distinguished Leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, of New York.
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Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Peter. Thank you for your great leadership to have us arrive at this place where we are now, which is for the good of our heroes.
Thank you, Carolyn Maloney, for your relentless, persistent – I do have the white hat that I got from the firefighters, so, I'm okay, okay?
[Laughter]
I thank you for your hard work, Mr. Leader. Thank you for honoring us with your presence, once again, and I extend, associate myself to your remarks to Senator Gillibrand, as well.
I wanted to say of Jerry Nadler, thank you for what you are doing. You're a hero to us, too.
But these are the true heroes. Our words are inadequate. Nothing we could say can ever meet the bravery, the courage that people put – that our heroes put forth on that day and the time following.
But we hope, by putting words into the form of a bill to make a difference in their lives, that we – as a token of our appreciation, make a difference in their lives.
So, with that, I'm now pleased to sign the legislation, the Never Forget The Heroes Act, and three of our heroes are James Zadroga, Ray Pfiefer and Luis Alvarez – to name a few.
Thank you.
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