NY Reps. Recommend Reappointment of 9/11 Health Czar
Feb 23, 2009
Press Release
New York, NY – Today, Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Jerrold Nadler
(D-NY), New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, New York City
Central Labor Council President Jack Ahern, 9/11 responders, lower
Manhattan residents and others gathered near Ground Zero to encourage
President Obama to reappoint Dr. John Howard as the federal
government’s 9/11 Health Coordinator. Maloney, Nadler, Reps. Peter
King (R-NY) and Michael McMahon (D-NY), and 10 of their House
colleagues sent a letter (a full copy of which follows) to the
president today recommending Dr. Howard for the post.
Dr. Howard, the former director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), was put in charge of federal 9/11 health programs in February 2006 by Michael Leavitt, then Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In July 2008, Dr. Howard was let go from his posts as NIOSH Director and 9/11 Health Coordinator with little explanation and despite widespread praise of his job performance.
“The Bush administration made a good decision in appointing Dr. Howard and a typically bad move in letting him go. In fact, I think he was dismissed in large part because he was making a strong effort to care for people with 9/11-related ailments,” said Rep. Maloney. “We hope to pass comprehensive 9/11 health legislation this year with President Obama’s support, but in the meantime we need someone to take charge of 9/11 health issues and ensure that proper care is given to those in need. I can’t think of a better person for the job than Dr. Howard, who built the federal government’s 9/11 health programs from the ground up. He is trusted on both sides of the aisle and would be an outstanding addition to President Obama’s team.”
"There is still much work to be done in coordinating and administering health care for 9/11 first responders, workers, residents, students and others," said Rep. Nadler. "Dr. John Howard has demonstrated expertise and skill in overseeing 9/11 health efforts and there was never any justifiable reason for removing him from his post. I wholeheartedly recommend re-hiring Dr. Howard for the job. Meanwhile, let's pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act so that we can provide critical health care and resources for those now sick because of 9/11."
“All those affected by 9/11 deserve adequate health care and it is essential that we have a knowledgeable, experienced champion for this issue,” said Rep. McMahon. “Dr. John Howard has been handling 9/11 health care projects since 2006 and knows, better than anyone, the critical need for comprehensive health care programs. It is clear based on the number of people affected by 9/11 that we need a strong, central figure to coordinate our 9/11-related health projects and Dr. John Howard is without a doubt the best choice.”
"We owe the heroes of September 11th the best we have to offer,” said Hughes, “and when it comes to protecting their health and well-being, those heroes have no greater champion than Dr. Howard. We respectfully call upon President Obama to reappoint Dr. Howard, whose experience, knowledge and intellect, coupled with his ability to work with both political parties, makes him the ideal choice to lead this most important initiative."
“It’s high time for Congress to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to secure the physical and financial health of the living heroes of 9/11, many of whom still suffer from the toxic health effects from their courageous work at Ground Zero,” said Ahern. “As you can see at Ground Zero, we are rebuilding this city. Now, we must rebuild the health of those who are sick because of the terrorist attacks on our country.”
Earlier this month, Maloney, Nadler and their colleagues in the New York congressional delegation reintroduced H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide critical health care and compensation for those sickened or injured in the aftermath of 9/11. While the Members of Congress hope to pass the bill this year, leadership is still needed in Washington to make sure that current federal 9/11 health programs continue to provide care to ailing 9/11 first responders, lower Manhattan residents, workers, students and others.
Background
In July 2008, the Bush Administration informed Dr. Howard that he would not be reappointed to a second term as NIOSH Director, despite praise from industry and labor leaders regarding Dr. Howard’s service protecting American workers.
In February 2006, the New York congressional delegation successfully convinced the Bush Administration to appoint Dr. Howard to serve as the federal government's 9/11 Health Coordinator (Click here for a copy of HHS's letter announcing Dr. Howard's appointment).
###
February 23, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
We write to strongly recommend that Dr. John Howard be chosen to run the World Trade Center Health Programs, which operate within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
From February 2006 through August 2008, Dr. Howard was the Coordinator of the World Trade Center Health Programs, while he was also the Director of NIOSH. In his role as coordinator, Dr. Howard built from the ground up the federally-funded WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment programs that initially served WTC responders in the New York-area, but later expanded to meet needs of responders around the country and community members who lived, worked, or went to school in lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11.
Dr. Howard has received accolades for his outstanding work on behalf of the heroes of 9/11, gaining universal praise from labor, community groups, and health care providers alike. He has proven to be an outstanding public servant who never allows political ideology to trump helping those sick from 9/11. In fact, he was among the Bush appointees most trusted and respected by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. He is the kind of administrator we need to help the heroes who helped the nation in our time of need.
Thank you for considering our recommendation.
Sincerely,
CAROLYN B. MALONEY
JERROLD NADLER
PETER KING
NITA M. LOWEY
ELIOT L. ENGEL
MICHAEL E. McMAHON
STEVE ISRAEL
EDOLPHUS TOWNS
JOSEPH CROWLEY
GARY L. ACKERMAN
ANTHONY D. WEINER
YVETTE D. CLARKE
PAUL TONKO
JOSÉ SERRANO
Members of Congress
Joe Soldevere
Press Secretary
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-14)
Office: (212) 860-0606
Mobile: (646) 831-1649
Dr. Howard, the former director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), was put in charge of federal 9/11 health programs in February 2006 by Michael Leavitt, then Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In July 2008, Dr. Howard was let go from his posts as NIOSH Director and 9/11 Health Coordinator with little explanation and despite widespread praise of his job performance.
“The Bush administration made a good decision in appointing Dr. Howard and a typically bad move in letting him go. In fact, I think he was dismissed in large part because he was making a strong effort to care for people with 9/11-related ailments,” said Rep. Maloney. “We hope to pass comprehensive 9/11 health legislation this year with President Obama’s support, but in the meantime we need someone to take charge of 9/11 health issues and ensure that proper care is given to those in need. I can’t think of a better person for the job than Dr. Howard, who built the federal government’s 9/11 health programs from the ground up. He is trusted on both sides of the aisle and would be an outstanding addition to President Obama’s team.”
"There is still much work to be done in coordinating and administering health care for 9/11 first responders, workers, residents, students and others," said Rep. Nadler. "Dr. John Howard has demonstrated expertise and skill in overseeing 9/11 health efforts and there was never any justifiable reason for removing him from his post. I wholeheartedly recommend re-hiring Dr. Howard for the job. Meanwhile, let's pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act so that we can provide critical health care and resources for those now sick because of 9/11."
“All those affected by 9/11 deserve adequate health care and it is essential that we have a knowledgeable, experienced champion for this issue,” said Rep. McMahon. “Dr. John Howard has been handling 9/11 health care projects since 2006 and knows, better than anyone, the critical need for comprehensive health care programs. It is clear based on the number of people affected by 9/11 that we need a strong, central figure to coordinate our 9/11-related health projects and Dr. John Howard is without a doubt the best choice.”
"We owe the heroes of September 11th the best we have to offer,” said Hughes, “and when it comes to protecting their health and well-being, those heroes have no greater champion than Dr. Howard. We respectfully call upon President Obama to reappoint Dr. Howard, whose experience, knowledge and intellect, coupled with his ability to work with both political parties, makes him the ideal choice to lead this most important initiative."
“It’s high time for Congress to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to secure the physical and financial health of the living heroes of 9/11, many of whom still suffer from the toxic health effects from their courageous work at Ground Zero,” said Ahern. “As you can see at Ground Zero, we are rebuilding this city. Now, we must rebuild the health of those who are sick because of the terrorist attacks on our country.”
Earlier this month, Maloney, Nadler and their colleagues in the New York congressional delegation reintroduced H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide critical health care and compensation for those sickened or injured in the aftermath of 9/11. While the Members of Congress hope to pass the bill this year, leadership is still needed in Washington to make sure that current federal 9/11 health programs continue to provide care to ailing 9/11 first responders, lower Manhattan residents, workers, students and others.
Background
In July 2008, the Bush Administration informed Dr. Howard that he would not be reappointed to a second term as NIOSH Director, despite praise from industry and labor leaders regarding Dr. Howard’s service protecting American workers.
In February 2006, the New York congressional delegation successfully convinced the Bush Administration to appoint Dr. Howard to serve as the federal government's 9/11 Health Coordinator (Click here for a copy of HHS's letter announcing Dr. Howard's appointment).
###
February 23, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
We write to strongly recommend that Dr. John Howard be chosen to run the World Trade Center Health Programs, which operate within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
From February 2006 through August 2008, Dr. Howard was the Coordinator of the World Trade Center Health Programs, while he was also the Director of NIOSH. In his role as coordinator, Dr. Howard built from the ground up the federally-funded WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment programs that initially served WTC responders in the New York-area, but later expanded to meet needs of responders around the country and community members who lived, worked, or went to school in lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11.
Dr. Howard has received accolades for his outstanding work on behalf of the heroes of 9/11, gaining universal praise from labor, community groups, and health care providers alike. He has proven to be an outstanding public servant who never allows political ideology to trump helping those sick from 9/11. In fact, he was among the Bush appointees most trusted and respected by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. He is the kind of administrator we need to help the heroes who helped the nation in our time of need.
Thank you for considering our recommendation.
Sincerely,
CAROLYN B. MALONEY
JERROLD NADLER
PETER KING
NITA M. LOWEY
ELIOT L. ENGEL
MICHAEL E. McMAHON
STEVE ISRAEL
EDOLPHUS TOWNS
JOSEPH CROWLEY
GARY L. ACKERMAN
ANTHONY D. WEINER
YVETTE D. CLARKE
PAUL TONKO
JOSÉ SERRANO
Members of Congress
Joe Soldevere
Press Secretary
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-14)
Office: (212) 860-0606
Mobile: (646) 831-1649
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