WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 26, 2019 25
City honors advocates of the permanently
funded 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney wears an FDNY turnout coat while accepting an award from Mayor de Blasio for her work on the 9/11 Victim
Compensation Act reauthorization. Courtesy of Mayor’s offi ce
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
The city honored the late NYPD
Detective Luis Alvarez along with
his fellow advocates that fought for
permanent funding of the 9/11 Victims
Compensation fund including the lead
sponsor behind the legislation, Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney.
Alvarez, who grew up in Astoria,
became national news as he testifi ed
in Congress, a day before his 69th
round of chemotherapy was scheduled,
urging members to pass the legislation
on behalf of his fellow 9/11 fi rst
responders.
Alvarez died weeks later from complications
from 9/11-related cancer that
he traced back to his three months
working at Ground Zero. He was laid to
rest in June at Immaculate Conception
Church in a mass that was attended by
many of those honored Monday with
the Bronze Medallion, the city’s highest
civic award.
“Nearly two decades aft er 9/11, the
fight continues to protect our first
responders, who selflessly sprang
into action when our city needed them
most,” City Councilman Costa Constantinides
said. “Today’s honorees are true
American heroes, who never gave up
their fi ght to ensure the Victim Compensation
Fund continues to take care
of our fi rst responders. They embody
the duty, service, and friendship if New
York City. I congratulate them on their
well deserved honor, especially Astoria
native, the late Luis Alvarez, who
spent his fi nal days advocating for his
brothers and sisters.”
Among the other honorees were
James Zadroga, a city cop who became
the fi rst to die of 9/11-related cancer,
and FDNY fi refi ghter Ray Pfeifer, who
spent eight months working on the pile
before he became a staunch advocate
for the VCF. He died of 9/11-related
cancer in 2017 at the age of 59.
Maloney received her Bronze Medallion
while wearing the same FDNY
turnout coat she wore during public
events in the months leading up the
reauthorization.
“The permanent reauthorization of
the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is
a testament to everyone who walked
the halls of Congress, who refused to
take no for an answer,” Maloney said.
“It honors everybody who showed
up to save lives and rebuild our nation.
While for some, 9/11 is a distant
memory, our fi rst responders, survivors,
and their families will be living
with the eff ects of that day for the rest
of their lives. While we will never be
able to relieve them of that burden, we
made sure that the support promised
to them will be available when they
need it.”
To date, the VCF has paid out more
than 22,000 claims to victims and
responders killed or injured due to
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and their
aft ermath. There are more than 95,000
responders and survivors who access
medical monitoring and or health care
for their 9/11-related health issues such
as respiratory conditions and cancer
from inhaling the toxic air at Ground
Zero.
“The passage of the 9/11 Victims
Compensation Fund Act would not
have been possible without the passion
and determination of the many
esteemed fi rst responders and advocates
being honored today,” City Councilman
Donovan Richards said. “I’d
like to thank them for their advocacy,
honor and sacrifi ce for their family,
friends and every survivor from 9/11.
I’d also like to thank Mayor de Blasio
for honoring their service with the
Bronze Medallion and all of our representatives
in Congress for securing
this critical funding for true American
heroes.”
It was the second time the Mayor
honored Alvarez. In September he
presented his family with the key to
the city.
“In the aft ermath of 9/11, New Yorkers
put their lives on the line for the safety
of our city,” de Blasio said. “I am proud
to honor those who fought for our fi rst
responders with the Bronze Medallion.
Their advocacy in securing the permanence
of the Victim Compensation Act
will be felt by New Yorkers for years
to come.”
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