Community News
President Snubs Congresswoman
from 9/11 Bill Signing
Trump signs 9/11 first responder benefits extension,
but apparently snubs Maloney from ceremony
www.qns.com I LIC COURIER I AUGUST 2019 21
BY BILL PARRY
Add Queens Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney to the list
of lawmakers disrespected
by President Donald Trump.
Maloney was the lead author of the
legislation to fully reauthorize the 9/11
Victims Compensation Act and wore
an FDNY turnout coat to all public appearances
for months advocating for
its passage. But when Trump signed
the bill into law on July 29 in the White
House’s Rose Garden, Maloney was
noticeably absent.
Her representative, however, said
the absence was not Maloney’s choice.
“The Congresswoman did not receive
an invite to today’s bill signing, nor did a
staff member receive one on her behalf,”
a Maloney spokeswoman said.
A White House official said, “All
members of Congress were invited to
today’s event.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a key
sponsor of the bill, had a prior commitment
preventing her attendance,
according to a spokeswoman.
“It shouldn’t have taken this long to
give our 9/11 heroes the permanent
compensation program they deserve,”
Gillibrand wrote on Twitter. “To everyone
who worked on getting this passed:
Thank you for your tireless work and
dedication. And to our 9/11 first responders:
Thank you will never be
enough.”
There were 60 9/11 first responders
and their families attending the
Rose Garden signing ceremony including
the family of the late NYPD
Detective Luis Alvarez, who was laid
to rest at Immaculate Conception
Church in Astoria, in the Ditmars
neighborhood where he was raised.
Alvarez, 53, succumbed to 9/11-related
cancer just weeks after his emotional
testimony in Congress urging
them to extend funding to cover the
health benefits for first responders
and survivors that was set to run out
next year.
“Last month, his powerful testimony
in Congress touched the heart of our
nation. A few days later, he passed from
this life into eternity,” Trump said. “And
we are all grieving by your side. Our
whole nation prays and pays tribute to
the incredible life and legacy of Detective
Alvarez, how hard he worked and
how much he suffered.”
She may have been snubbed by the
White House, but Maloney isn’t finished
advocating for the 9/11 first responders.
The congresswoman sent a letter to
Mayor Bill de Blasio formally requesting
he host a Canyon of Heroes parade to
honor 9/11 responders and survivors.
“Let’s be clear; 9/11 was an attack
on our nation, not just New York. Survivors
live in all 50 states and 433 of
435 Congressional districts,” Maloney
wrote. “But our city is unique in its 9/11
experience and I believe that, as our
mayor, you can help all the whole nation
say ‘thank you’ once again. It is a
small but meaningful way to show our
gratitude for the sacrifices they and
their families made and continue to
make each day. Moreover, this is an
opportunity to demonstrate again our
city’s and whole country’s resilience,
rebuilding and recovery.”
Maloney added, “And each day, sadly,
brings news of another funeral for one of
the men or women who rushed to the aid
of their fellow citizens and our country.
Rather than wait for eulogies to honor
their service, and the sacrifice of all
9/11 survivors, let us take this moment
to celebrate their legacy of valor while
they can be present to participate in it.”
The de Blasio administration welcomed
the Maloney request.
“This is a great idea to honor our 9/11
first responders,” a de Blasio spokesman
said. “We’ll be reaching out to families,
first responders and advocates to put
on a world class event to honor these
heroes.”
Courtesy of Maloney's office
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney talks with NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez before he testified
before Congress and died days later from 9/11-related cancer.
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