9 year-old, lawmakers rally for 9/11 first responder benefits
At a rally featuring speeches by nearly a dozen lawmakers, the loudest message of all was delivered by a 9-year-old boy who didn’t say a word.
Jack McNamara, a fourth grader, held a sign that read “Don’t let other dads die!!! I miss my Dad, FDNY Firefighter John F. McNamara,” words that were surrounded by hearts, American flags and a call for a fully funded renewal of the Zadroga Act, legislation that provides health benefits for first responders who grew ill after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The World Trade Center Health Program, which provides health monitoring and treatment for first responders, expired this fall but has enough funding to operate into next year. The victim’s compensation fund expires Oct. 1.