Washington, D.C.—On Sunday, January 2, 2011, President Obama signed a bill, which will provide aid to the survivors of Sept. 11th and to the first responders, who ultimately were sickened as a result of working at the World Trade Center, as reported by USA Today.
President Obama signed The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which was named after a police officer who died as a result of a respiratory disease he contracted while conducting the 9/11 rescue efforts.
"We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers and first responders who risked their lives to save others," Obama said in a statement. "I believe this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the physical scars of those attacks."
The $4.2 billion bill will be funded by a fee on some foreign companies that receive U.S. government procurement contracts.
There was no signing party for The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; instead it was signed privately from a rented oceanfront home in Hawaii, where the president is staying with his family.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley
