FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John Feal – 516-901-7427
Anne Marie Baumann – 516-551-0986
 
September 27, 2008—New York, NY—As the Congress continues to work on the rescue package, renamed from bailout package 9/11 responders throughout America wait for a vote on HR7174 the 9/11 Health & Compensation Bill, seven years after 9/11.

SAVE THE BRAVE, a documentary was given to all Members of Congress encouraging their support for the much needed help responders require following their service at Ground Zero. Real illnesses and no actors were used in making this portrait of suffering.                 
                                                       
John Feal, president of the Fealgood Foundation comments, " It is imperative that everyone reading this email pick up the phone and call Speaker Pelosi's office and demand that this Bill gets a vote on the House floor. Where has President Bush's enthusiasm for "getting it done" been when it comes to taking care of 9/11 responders who should be the first symbol of America's promise to provide adequate health care. We are watching our government move with precision when it is important to stabilize world financial markets. How about stabilizing the 9/11 responder families devastated, sick and dying from serving their country, we need deeds not empty words".

Negotiations have been on going this week on the legislation drafted by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and supported by the NY delegation. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has been personally involved in bringing the Bill to the floor for a vote, which is expected to offer relief for responders affected by health and compensation matters related to their time of service at Ground Zero.

The Fealgood Foundation produced SAVE THE BRAVE, a documentary focusing on the plight of 9/11 responders and their families. Anne Marie Baumann, VP of the Foundation states, "It's so hard for those of us who are experiencing the sickness, depression and death that our responder families are experiencing everyday. Then you look up and discover that the Congress and the President can do what's important to them when they need to get it done. What do our families mean compared to the dollars that have every ones attention right now? We need to look closely at what we truly hold dear when people begin to take a backseat to any dollar. At this rate realistically we'll never have universal health care because when you don't take care of us in seven years who really has a chance of receiving adequate health care," concludes Ms. Baumann.

"SAVE THE BRAVE shows what 9/11 responders are going through everyday, Greg Quibell, one of our principals in the movie died before its premiere. Charlie Giles and his family lost their home. The help that people need has been known for years and the Congress has failed to support the 9/11 Health & Compensation Bill. Please see us like the people exiting Lehman Bros. with boxes of their belongings as they cleaned out their offices. In our case add the pill bottles, the oxygen tubes, the inhalers and you'll have a realistic picture; out of work, to sick to work, no income and little medical help. We must do better in America for whatever the future holds", concludes Mr. Feal. Members of Congress who have viewed SAVE THE BRAVE call it powerful. 

For additional information please contact John or Anne at above numbers.