Results tagged “ceasarborja”

Dr. Charles S. Hirsch is the chief medical examiner of New York City and has overseen the autopsies on more than 100,000 people. He would probably remain a mystery to most New Yorkers, if it weren't for his ruling on the death of Det. James Zadroga, who worked clean-up at Ground Zero after September 11, 2001. Hirsch said that Zadroga's death wasn't related to Ground Zero dust, but ground-up pills the detective was allegedly injecting....

Politicians and labor leaders held a rally at Ground Zero Saturday pledging to support efforts to get federal funding for first responders, construction workers, volunteers, residents, and students exposed to health risks during and after the 9/11 attacks. On the sixth anniversary of that day, three New York Congressman––Democrats Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler, and Republican Vito Fossella––will introduce the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The bill would provide healthcare and monitoring to all the people exposed to the environment of downtown Manhattan after the attacks. It will also require the federal government to fund data collection so that the after-effects of exposure to the downtown Manhattan environment six years ago is better understood.

Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to expand the city's response for World Trade Center-related health illnesses, after a panel found many things, such as many people didn't even know there's a WTC health program at Bellevue. Now the city plans to ask Washington D.C. for $150 million a year for programs; establishing new to keep everyone aware of what's going on; and, perhaps most importantly, reopening the Victim Compensation Fund and ending various legal disputes victims have been enduring.

Ceasar Borja Jr., the 21 year old son of a cop who volunteered at Ground Zero and died last week, met with President Bush yesterday to discuss funding for September 11's first responders. With Bush in town for a State of Economy address - and having just announced $25 million in additional funding for WTC-related illness - the President had a 15-private meeting with Borja, his mother, brother and sister. Borja wrote about the experience for the Daily News:

He said, "You're all right, Ceasar," and he shook my hand.

Continue reading "Bush Tells Borja, "You made the world listen""

That look on the faces of former Mayors David Dinkins and Ed Koch comes "Listening to President Bush Speak." The President is in NYC today, speaking at Federal Hall downtown, giving a "State of the Economy" speech, and you can read about it here at the White House website. We'll update later with more of his specific remarks.

While people downtown thought they would be able to breathe easy once I Am Legend finishes shooting at the Brooklyn Bridge (they are expected to wrap at 4AM tomorrow), they'll have to think again. Because President Bush is coming to the city tomorrow.

Ceasar Borja was invited by Senator Hillary Clinton attend last night's State of the Union address in order to highlight the need for more federal government aid to treatment September 11 workers. Borja's father, NYPD officer Ceasar, who volunteered at Ground Zero in 16 hour shifts, had been been waiting for a lung transplant. But a few hours before the State of the Union, 21 year old Borja found out his father had died while having dinner with other State of the Union guests. The Daily News reports what Borja said to his mother:

"He passed away right when I'm down here fighting for him. This is the most I've ever done for Dad. Mommy, you know I'm strong, Mom. You were with him, though, right? Good. That's all that matters to me. Comfortably and no pain... Dad always knew the man I could become, and I love him for that. Dad didn't go down without a fight, Mom. You know that."

Clinton staffers and other Ground Zero victims and family members comforted Borja, who decided to stay and attend the State of the Union. And Senator Ted Kennedy gave one of his State of the Union seats to a Clinton staffer who was comforting Borja.