Earlier this morning President Trump delivered remarks during a rose garden bill signing for H.R. 1327, the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund. [Video and Transcript]
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[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Well, thank you very much, everybody. Please, sit down. Very important day. And we’re gathered this morning at the White House to honor our solemn duty to America’s best, bravest, and finest, who I know so well. In a few moments, I will sign a bipartisan bill to fully reauthorize the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. So, the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund is something you’ve all worked on very hard, and the day has come.
Today, we come together as one nation to support our September 11th heroes, to care for their families, and to renew our eternal vow: Never, Ever Forget.
Before I go further, this morning we express our deepest sadness and sorrow for the families who lost a precious loved one in the horrific shooting last night in Gilroy, California. While families were spending time together at a local festival, a wicked murderer opened fire and killed three innocent citizens, including a young child. We grieve for their families and we ask that God will comfort them with his overflowing mercy and grace. We’re praying for those who are recovering right now in the hospital. Some very, very serious injuries.
We thank the brave members of law enforcement — they never let us down — who swiftly killed the shooter. We reaffirm our national will to answer violence with the courage, determination, and resolve of one American family. We will continue to work together as communities and as citizens to stop evil, prevent violence, and protect the safety of all Americans.
We’re joined for today’s ceremony by our wonderful Vice President, Mike Pence. Thank you, Mike, very much. Thank you. (Applause.) Along with many distinguished guests.
I want to begin by recognizing a leader many of you know very well. On September 11th, he declared, “The city of New York and the United States of America is much stronger than any group of barbaric terrorists…our strength and our willingness to defend ourselves will ultimately prevail.” And he was right. A great mayor of the city of New York — our greatest mayor, in my opinion. Now, what do I know? (Laughter.) Rudy Giuliani. Stand up, Rudy. (Applause.) Great job, Rudy. Great job. Rudy has got a lot of guts.
Thanks also to Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen for being here. Thank you, Jeff. Thank you very much. Along with Senator Deb Fischer and Representatives Michael Burgess, Chris Collins, Brian Fitzpatrick, Peter King, John Joyce, Mark Meadows, and Dan Meuser. Please stand up, fellas. Please. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Peter.
In the wake of the September 11th attacks, courageous Americans raced into smoke, fire, and debris in lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The whole world witnessed the might and resilience of our nation in the extraordinary men and women of the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department, selfless patriots of unmatched character and devotion. I grew up with them so I can tell you that’s absolutely true. It’s always nice to really know your subject. I know that subject. These are great people.
We also commemorate the heroes of the Port Authority Police. And I want to thank you all for being here. Tremendous people. The first responders from across the country rushed to New York and worked endless days and sleepless nights. They fought to rescue every person trapped in the rubble, and then searched for months to find the remains of the fallen.
The love and loyalty of our 9/11 responders knew no bounds. Today, we are deeply honored to be in the presence of more than 60 of these exceptional heroes. They answered terror with the emotional strength of true American warriors. Would every 9/11 responder please stand up? Please, all you first responders. (Applause.) Wow. Great. Thank you. Thank you, fellas. Great-looking group of people you are. Great-looking group of people. Thank you very much. You inspire all of humanity, and you know that.
We’re also greatly moved to have with us families of our fallen heroes. Our nation owes each of you a profound debt that no words or deeds will ever repay. But we can and we will keep our nation’s promise to you.
In a few moments, I will sign the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. This law makes permanent the financial support for families who lost precious loved ones as a result of September 11th attacks. It also provides pensions for those who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses stemming from the toxic debris they were exposed to in the aftermath of the attacks. Many of those affected were firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. And I was down there also, but I’m not considering myself a first responder. But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you.
Since September 11th, we have lost more than 2,000 first responders and survivors to 9/11-related cancers and illnesses. Currently, thousands of men and women are battling cancer and other illnesses due to 9/11. We pledge to stand by the families of those affected, today and every day. We will stand with you.
I want to thank lawmakers in both parties for working with common purpose to pass this vital and critical legislation.
Here with us for this signing ceremony are the three families whose loved ones are memorialized in the title of this bill.
New York Police Department Detective James Zadroga spent more than 450 hours serving at Ground Zero. In 2006, James died from a lung disease. To his father Joseph, and his daughter Tyler Ann, who join us: Detective Zadroga’s heroism will uplift our nation forever. He won’t be forgotten. We will always remember what he did for us. Please stand up. Please. Please. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you very much.
Also present today is the family of East Meadow Volunteer Firefighter Ray Pfeifer. I know East Meadow very well. Great place. Great people. For eight months, Ray worked constantly at Ground Zero. In 2017, at the age of 59, he died from cancer.
Here with us today is Ray’s wife Caryn, his daughter Taylor, and his son Terence, now a New York City firefighter. Please, stand up. (Applause.) Good. Very good. Thank you. And I know Ray must be watching over you, looking down right now from heaven, on this beautiful Rose Garden. Very, very proud of you. Thank you. Thank you very much.
The third namesake of the bill is New York City Detective Luis Alvarez. Last month, his powerful testimony in Congress touched the heart of our nation. A few days later, he passed from this life into eternity. We are privileged to have with us Detective Alvarez’s brother Philip and his wife Alaine, and his sons Tyler and Ben. Please, stand. Please. Please. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
I want each of you to know that America is holding you in the arms of its wonderful, wonderful heart. And we’re all grieving by your side. Our whole nation prays and pays tribute to the incredible life and legacy of Detective Alvarez — how hard he worked and how much he suffered. And we really want to thank him. He was really something. People understood it very well. It’s really great. Thank you.
We have an obligation, and it’s a sacred obligation, to the families and first responders of 9/11.
Here with us today is Chief John Joyce, former fire chief of the Midtown Manhattan firehouse. On September 11th, 15 of his men raced into the ashes of hell and gave their lives. To this day, Chief Joyce still mentors many of their 28 children.
Chief Joyce spent seven months working at Ground Zero. In 2011, he was diagnosed with cancer. He has also endured other severe 9/11-related illnesses. But the Chief is a fighter. He is definitely a fighter. As he says, because of this bill, he does not have to fear for the families of his firehouse whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. Chief Joyce, you have our everlasting gratitude. Please, Chief. Thank you. Good. (Applause.) Thank you, Chief. Thank you for being here. And say hello to everybody.
To every 9/11 hero, you poured out your heart, your sweat, your soul, and everything you had for your country. You ran toward the wreckage, into a ball of flames, like, frankly, nobody in this country had ever seen. You searched for survivors. You went back day after day and night after night to save lives and return the fallen to their families, to rebuild and recover, and to show the entire world that nothing will ever break America’s spirit.
Over the last two decades, you have endured hardship with amazing grace and incredible grit. Through it all, you care and you work, and you love, and you will always remember all of those great families. You lift up our communities and you remind us all what it means to stand united as “one nation under God.”
For your entire lives, you have gone far beyond your duty to us, and today we strive to fulfill our sacred duty to you.
We love you. We honor you. And we thank you. God bless you all. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you.
Now I’m going to sign this bill into law. And I don’t know if the stage will hold it, but if it doesn’t, we’re not falling very far. But I’d like to ask the families and I’d also like to ask the first responders to come up, and we’ll give — we’ll give this stage a shot. Let’s see how well built. Made in America. Let’s see how well built it is. Okay? Come on up.
(The bill is signed.)
(Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Thank you very much.
Wouldn’t that money be better used to fund 0bama’s Democrat voting foreigners because, after all, they’re the real victims here? /sarc
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Am I the only American who is thinking: Why are we spending $10B/year for generations of 9/11 progeny? I accurately recall the outpouring of donations and aid to NYC’ers for this tragedy in 2001, and organizational stipends for those families affected. My heart goes out to brave people who get cancer from the dust of the Trade Center, but 70 years of aid will go to people who dont even know the name of their deceased g-g-grandfathers.
We were ALL affected adversely by 9/11, too. Finally, why don’t we pay for this from the PERPETRATORS? (Iran and alQueda who bankrolled this terrorism). Oh, wait, that’s right. Obama send that frozen fund back to Tehran on a midnight transport plane.
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The House of Saud was the ultimate funding source. They owe us forever.
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I agree. I am not for this move.
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+1 !
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Bingo. 9/11 was a terrible tragedy, but I don’t see why the victims deserve such special status.
Kind of cheapens it to see how so many look on this act of terrorism as their Golden Ticket in perpetuity.
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Nobody should be funded decades into the future without checks and balances. This is just begging for Congress to put their grubby little hands in it and “borrow” a little here and a little there.
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I agree…
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cheryl, that’s what they did to social security. Congress raided it continually in the 60’s, and 70’s leaving nothing but a bunch of useless IOUs that have never been repaid.
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Agree also, a 72-year funding bill is outrageous.
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That may be unConstitutional. I don’t believe that Congress can fund a program beyond their term. It’s committing a future Congress and I think that’s a no-no. That’s why the SS and all the other programs and Departments have to be refunded every two years.
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Seems overzealous considering the world is over in 12 years.
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I don’t know how I feel about this. People who are ill because they were helping in the aftermath of 9/11 should be taken care of. I have no problem taking care of them. But, the potential for fraud seems very large.
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I thought there was a Union for firefighter and police that had health benefits for these guys. Are we funding Unions with this?
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Why are we paying for this Muslim Brotherhood atrocity? I know the realities of the situation and that these victims need to be helped now, and that the only immediate help can come from Americans, so, the bill is fine for a temporary bridge… but I am sickened that the Muslim Brotherhood are having a good laugh on us for having to pay for their actions.
Ask yourself why Muslim Brotherhood/Qatari funded Omar Ilhan was in favor of this bill.
No one is in Washington is brave enough to make the actual perps pay for this. I say freeze all the Mo Bro accounts and use their funds for the victims. Tired of this dhimmitude.
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The House of Saud should be paying for this. It was malcontents in that family that made this attack possible.
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God bless you greatly President Trump for putting Americans FIRST!
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We live in Gilroy and until midnight helicopters flying to see if could locate a possible second person. While I like the police why did they not shoot an anesthesia dart/bullet into his body and instead of a corpse have a live person to query. How sad that 3 were killed and 11 in hospital and some of them with a serious wound. We helped to start the Festival when it started and worked there for 13 yrs. (and it has not been that good ever since that was when it taken over so we stopped attending some 3 yrs. ago – lousy and expensive food, tickets super expensive, same vendors of cheap items, and where before we hired our OWN Gilroy musicians they now bring in more hillbilly music in spite of the fact that altho a small city we are more upgrade (lots of Silicon workers here now. Nevertheless, I hope this will not affect the festival next year because a portion of intake does go to many good things and that is a very good thing.
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The “person” was obviously one of Satan’s half-breed offspring that was shooting at a crowd of innocent people/Americans … that rebellious behavior against Father God is known as a TERRORIST … the penalty by American law is EXECUTION. No discussion in a court of law is necessary because sufficient VISIBLE EVIDENCE was/is available.
Do you understand?
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Dead is gone, over, finished. Glean info from him, what, pity, rational? Don’t bother. I’m not talking terrorists that function in cells where we could use real information, but about the antisocial nuts that want to shoot it out, for whatever reason, who cares, kill them on the spot, it saves the country tons of money and years of bs.
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Ops…..https://creativedestructionmedia.com/analysis/2019/07/29/gilroy-shooter-possible-iranian-sleeper-cell-identified-as-iranian-american-shia-zealot/
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It’s kind of a myth that anesthesia darts work instantaneously. There is a lag time in which the perp could continue shooting through the haze. Also, some darts malfunction and the situation could end up even worse with an angrier killer. It’s a lot more iffy than the movies make it out to be.
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Because he had no obligation to tell them anything and any evidence of a second shooter needs to be supported by evidence. He represented a threat to all lives and that threat needed to be neutralized permanently. We give police guns because we want them to be equipped with lethal force to address such events. To fire a gun and not do so with the intent of delivering lethal force in that circumstance is something we should not expect or desire.
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He would have had more rights than the people he murdered, that’s for sure.
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Agree on anasthesia darts, or other forms of non lethal “stop but don’t kill” weaponry, although I do like and carry “Zombie rounds” as they are good for one person vs a gang.
We HAVE captured several of these “lone shooters” alive, and at least one initially cooperated with police interogators. Around 10% leave behind writren journals, notebooks or manifestos, orcI net posts.
Never the less, we are NO closer to answering the question of motive, than we,were,after the first, 50+ years ago.
Even most gunshots are NOT instant stops or instant kills. There is ONE place, about 2″ in diameter. It can actually be ,…accessed with a ball point pen, or sharpened toothbrush.
Its called the “lightswitch”, cause its like turning off a light.
Not a case of “dead when they hit the ground”, they are dead before they start to fall.
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..Well Built.. Made in America.. That’s how we did it back then.. Our sht doesn’t break..
“Do it right the first time”.. What’s so fck’n hard about that..
(Oh, that reminded me of something. Hmm.. Another interesting chapter, maybe this weekend on the open thread..).
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President Trump is consistent in his unwavering support of first responders.
His signature on this bill is quite in line with his support of the families of those first responders to the New York City attack on 9-11-2001.
Some here complain that these first responders already have insurance coverage for their health problems that have occurred as a result of their exposure to harmful, lethal substances in the aftermath of the disaster.
Anyone who knows insurance knows it never covers anywhere near enough in cases of long term and complex debilitating illness. It also doesn’t cover the families of those men and women.
I have no problem with part of my taxes helping the men and women who rushed selflessly into harms way to save others lives.
God bless our first responders and President Trump.
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Sorry but I have a huge problem with this bill for many reasons. Do the men and women who serve in our military get the same funding for themselves and their families, NO. Also did I just hear on Fox News that this fund is basically going to cover anyone who lived in NYC or went to school there also, if so this is just wrong on so many levels.
Way to much room for fraud and there is no way to prove that an illness or cancer was caused from being there, some illnesses yes, but to say that cancers like breast, prostate or skin were caused by the 911 aftermath is just nuts and impossible to prove because they are so common.
Democrats pushed hard for this bill, some even said that they “shamed the Republicans” into passing it, which means the Democrats are getting something out of it. Democrats do nothing unless it benefits themselves or their corrupt Union friends.
This type of funding should come from donations or maybe the Police, Fire Fighter and other Unions could stop paying out millions to support Democrats and put it into the fund to support their own members.
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Bills such as this one should stir Americans into finding EVERY legal means possible limiting their Federal tax liability. It’s not as if this country is running a surplus with money to burn.
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This compensation Fund will be used to bailout the Union Pension Funds that are going broke or underfunded like the Teamsters……This is a gift to the Democrats and they will exploit it…The old ‘Bait & Switch’ routine……It’s actually fraud and Zero will be done about it…..
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Glad to see so many Treepers realizing what a scam this is. Government by feelings never works out. As many already mentioned this is just a piggy bank for future democrats pols in NY to rob from.
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