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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 398-09
September 3, 2009

STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON PRESIDENT OBAMA RE-APPOINTING DR. JOHN HOWARD AS WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

"President Obama's re-appointment of John Howard M.D. to his dual role as director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and as World Trade Center Programs Coordinator at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is welcome news as we approach the 8th commemoration of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Back in March of this year, I joined many members of the New York congressional delegation in urging President Obama to reappoint Dr. Howard because of his outstanding work on behalf of all those around the nation whose health has been affected by 9/11.  As a result of his efforts, the country now has three centers of excellence dedicated to treating, monitoring, and understanding the health impacts of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Dr. Howard has also championed funding for critical 9/l1 research, including the WTC Health Registry, whose 71,000 volunteers from nearly every congressional district in the United States help researchers truly understand the health impacts of this national tragedy.

"Through this appointment, President Obama has demonstrated his continued commitment to helping responders, local-area workers, community members, and others affected by the attacks of 9/11.  Many of those affected continue to suffer the physical and mental health effects of the attacks, yet the WTC health programs that are treating and monitoring those who are sick, or who could become sick, are not yet permanently funded.  I have long-advocated for sustained federal funding, which can be achieved if Congress passes the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (HR847/ S1334), and I will continue working with the New York congressional delegation to make that a reality."







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