Supporting Full Funding of the Victim's Compensation Fund to Affirm Our Nation's Commitment to Our Heroes Suffering From September 11th Related Illnesses
Adopted at the 87th Annual Meeting in 2019
WHEREAS, on that fateful morning, 2,977 lives were lost, thousands were injured, including many first responders who would subsequently develop illnesses from working on the scene; and
WHEREAS, we have reached a milestone where more people may have died from 9/11-related injuries and diseases than were lost during the attacks themselves; and
WHEREAS, the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) has been a crucial lifeline supporting our nation's heroes who ran into danger putting their lives and health at risk; and
WHEREAS, the VCF provides compensation to individuals or surviving family members who were injured, sickened, or killed as a result of the 9/11 attacks, or the exposure to toxins as part of the recovery efforts at the Site of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Shanksville crash site; and
WHEREAS, mayors and city leaders from across the nation recognize the urgent need to fully fund the VCF; and
WHEREAS, on February 15, 2019, the VCF made the announcement that a funding shortfall would result in drastic cuts to all claims equating to reductions of 50 percent for all pending claims and a staggering 70 percent for future claims; and
WHEREAS, given the full scope of need and the record number of victims applying, the funding is quickly running out; and
WHEREAS, almost $5 billion has already been paid, while nearly 12,000 claims remain under review and further, any responder or survivor who becomes ill after December 18, 2020 would be ineligible due to lack of funds; and
WHEREAS, first responders, law enforcement personnel and volunteers poured in from across the nation to render aid; and
WHEREAS, such a shortfall would affect individuals beyond New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania where the attacks took place; and
WHEREAS, to date, over 93,000 first responders from every state and from 434 out of 435 Congressional Districts are currently enrolled in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Congress authorized and fully funded the World Trade Center Health Program, providing medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors with 9/11-related injuries and illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Congress also reauthorized the VCF, providing an additional $4.6 billion in compensation for these victims and their families, many of whom are suffering or dying from respiratory diseases and cancer; and
WHEREAS, as leaders, we are duty-bound to provide our heroes with the support they have rightfully earned, and to respect and cherish those who became ill after running into harm's way to save lives on one of the darkest days of our nation's history; and
WHEREAS, the Never Forget the Heroes Act of 2019 affirms our responsibility as Americans to protect the victims of 9/11-related illnesses by reauthorizing the fund through 2090, and funding all current and future claims; and
WHEREAS, those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses cannot wait, and we urge Congress not to wait to pass this important legislation,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress to pass H.R. 1327/S. 546 the Never Forget the Heroes Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.