Hempstead Town board unanimously asks Congress to reauthorize Zadroga Act

The Hempstead Town Board has unanimously joined a national bipartisan coalition of elected officials calling on Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.

One key component of the Zadroga Act, the World Trade Center Health Program, expired in late September, said a news release from the town board. It added that if Congress does not act in the near future, it could threaten the act's World Trade Center Victims Compensation Fund, which is to expire next year.

With its vote, the Hempstead board joins a coalition of leaders urging that the act be made permanent and thus continue to help injured or ill 9/11 responders and survivors.

Voting were Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman and Supervisor-elect Anthony J. Santino, and council members Dorothy L. Goosby, Gary Hudes, Edward A. Ambrosino, Bruce A. Blakeman and Erin King Sweeney.

Santino had previously signed another letter, along with a contingent of local officials, calling for the Zadroga extension legislation.

"The heroes of 9/11, our first responders, helped victims and our society as they worked at Ground Zero, and we need to help them," Murray said in the release.

Santino said: "The Zadroga Act provides these courageous citizens help in a time of need, and I join the call on Congress to permanently reauthorize and fully fund this critical measure."

SEE PHOTOSClassic images of the Twin Towers

The World Trade Center Health Program provides treatment and medical monitoring to more than 72,000 responders and survivors. The Victims Compensation Fund portion of the Zadroga Act provides compensation for injured or ill 9/11 responders and survivors of the attacks.

The national bipartisan coalition represents leaders from 24 cities and municipalities across the nation, including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties.

"This issue is particularly close to our hearts as Hempstead Town residents who have neighbors, family members and friends who were impacted by 9/11 in some way, shape or form," Murray said.