By: David Ben Hooren & Dan Miller, PhD
Monday was a very exciting day at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan. Hundreds filled the theater in anticipation of finding out who were the individuals responsible for persuading Congress to successfully pass the 911 Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
The award ceremony was hosted by N.Y. senior reporter Sheryl Wills. Cheryl, a Queens resident spoke about how she remembered interview many 911 responders who were in ground zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center.
The bronze medallion is inscribed with “The City of New York” around its perimeter and symbolic representation of all five boroughs, the Bronze Medallion is the City’s highest civic award, and it resented by the Mayor to those who demonstrated exceptional citizenship and outstanding achievement. Among the recipients are former civic leaders and distinguished individuals including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
At this gathering New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio presented the Bronze Medallion, New York City’s highest civic honor, to a group of individuals whose tireless advocacy, inspiration, and leadership helped pass the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
The Victim Compensation Fund Act guarantees New Yorkers and first responders from around the country affected by 9/11 will receive the care and resources they need. Honorees include distinguished representatives from the 9/11 survivor and first-responder advocate community, uniformed agencies and the labor community, and the lead bill sponsors from the New York congressional delegation in the 116th Congress.
“In the aftermath of 9/11, New Yorkers put their lives on the line for the safety of our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio “I am proud to honor those who fought for our first responders with the Bronze Medallion. Their advocacy in securing the permanence of the Victim Compensation Fund will be felt by New Yorkers for years to come.”
Among the spectators at the Beacon Theater were Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, Fire Commissioner, Daniel Nigro, and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza. Members of the City’s services and invited guests including friends and family of the honorees and service members from other city agencies filled the auditorium of the Beacon Theater.
The Bronze Medallion is the City’s highest civic award, and is presented by the Mayor to those who have demonstrated exceptional citizenship and outstanding achievement.
