March 09, 2009

Dear Families and Friends,

Warm Regards,

VOICES Programs and events

9/11 Living Memorial Workshop Schedule

VOICES is putting together its workshop schedule for 2009. If you would like us to come to your neighborhood, please contact us so we can consider including it in our schedule for the coming year. For more information, or to register for the workshops below, contact Michelle Doherty at VOICES of September 11th, (203) 966-3911 or by e-mail to mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org. You can also schedule an individual Living Memorial appointment at our Connecticut office.

KBW, New York
Date: Thursday, March 19th for KBW families & employees
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

New Brunswick, New Jersey
Date: Thursday, March 26th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: New Brunswick Development Corporation, 120 Albany Street, Tower 1, 7th Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Forest Hills, New York
Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Forest Hills Library, 108-91 71st Avenue, Forest Hills, NY 11375

KBW, New York
Date: Thursday, April 23rd for KBW families & employees
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

New Brunswick, New Jersey
Date: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: New Brunswick Development Corporation, 120 Albany Street, Tower 1, 7th Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey

KBW, New York
Date: Thursday, May 21st for KBW families & employees
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

Manhasset, New York
Date: Thursday, June 18th
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm by Appointment
Location: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset, NY

Teleconference Schedule:

Voices of September 11th offers teleconference groups that are facilitated by our mental health professionals. The teleconference groups provide an opportunity for those impacted by 9/11 to talk with others that share their same experience. Please contact our office at (203) 966-3911 if you are interested in participating.

Tuesday, March 10th: Parents Tuesday AM Group 11:00am to 12:15pm

Wednesday, March 11th: Siblings Group 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Community Events

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The 3rd annual “Captain Martin J. Egan, Jr. 5K Memorial Run/Walk”

The 3rd annual “Captain Martin J. Egan, Jr. 5K Memorial Run/Walk” will take place at 10:00 am on May 3, 2009 at the Midland Beach Picnic Area
(Father Capodanno Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, Staten Island, NY). 

Applications are available at The Staten Island Runner www.sirunning.com. 

For more information, please call (718) 710-1944. 

In the News

$500 Million Settlement in 9/11 Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Cases

A $500 million settlement has been reached regarding over 90 wrongful death and personal injury claims related to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Only three suits now remain to be settled. The lawsuits—against airlines, airport security firms and associated companies—were filed by people who did not participate in the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund instituted by Congress. For a summary of the story visit Reuters. For an in-depth discussion, particularly regarding how these settlements compare to compensation provided by the Victim Compensation Fund, visit the National Law Journal.

Congress Approves $70 Million for 9/11 Health Programs
Congress has passed an appropriations bill that includes $70 million for 9/11 health programs. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said that passage of the bill “will ensure that we can continue, without interruption, to monitor and treat first responders and community members living with 9/11-related illnesses.” Learn more at Rep. Nadler’s web site.

In a related development, the Daily News has written an editorial on trial dates set by a New York judge for workers who believe they became ill as a result of 9/11 rescue and recovery operations. To read the opinion, visit the Daily News.

Craig Fugate to Lead FEMA
President Obama has chosen Craig Fugate to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fugate has served as director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management since 2001. To learn more, visit GovernmentExecutive.com.

Budget Proposal Includes Increase for DHS

President Obama’s first budget proposal, for Fiscal Year 2010, allocates $42.7 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—a figure that is six percent higher than the budget President Bush requested. Read more at HS Today.

1993 World Trade Center Bombing Commemorated

February 26th marked the 16th anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which killed 6 people and an unborn child. The solemn occasion was commemorated by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. To learn more, visit the Museum’s web site.  

In a related story, a woman who was injured during the bombing and is now suing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey testified about her experience in court. To see her account, visit the Associated Press. 

Guantanamo Analysis

The Village Voice has written a detailed article on issues surrounding the controversial detention center at Guantanamo. To read their analysis, visit the Village Voice.

GAO Issues Reports on Detainees’ Health Care and Nuclear Detection
The United States Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the health care provided to detainees that are held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In 2007, ICE detained more than 311,000 people at 500 facilities. From 2004 through 2007, 69 detainees died in ICE custody. To access the report, which was written to address concerns raised by members of Congress, the media and advocacy organizations, visit the GAO.

The GAO has also issued a report regarding U.S. nuclear detection capabilities, needed in order to combat nuclear smuggling. The report is available at the GAO. In a related story, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has stated that the U.S. will be unable to meet a 2012 deadline to screen cargo for radiological and nuclear materials due to agreement requirements with other countries. Click here