A Year Ago: President Trump Signs VCF Bill into Law

A year ago today, I was honored to be invited to the White House, along with my partner Lee London and Ret. FDNY Deputy Chief Richie Alles, to witness the historic signing of the law which fully funded and permanently extended the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

In addition to the legislators who sponsored the bill, the ceremony included the families of our clients Jimmy Zadroga and Ray Pfeiffer, as well as the family of Luis Alvarez with whom we walked the halls of Congress to lobby Congressmen and Senators. Also present were the many important fire, police, and construction labor leaders without whom the bill would never have gotten through Congress.

Other 9/11 advocates, including John Feal and dozens of his wonderful FealGood Foundation team members, as well as many of the attorneys and staff from Barasch & McGarry, were all invited to attend and meet the President.

This ceremony was long overdue and a historic milestone for the 9/11 community. But there is still so much work to do. Now we turn our focus to spreading the word to those who don’t realize that they are entitled to the same free health care and compensation as the WTC responders. Sadly, only 5% of non-responders are aware that they are entitled to the same benefits as firefighters and police officers. We will not rest until we get justice for everyone sickened by the World Trade Center toxins.

You can help us spread the word by sharing this information with anyone you know who was living or working south of Canal St. on and after the attacks on 9/11.

We are truly blessed to be able to help so many people.

With deep respect,
Mike Barasch