Thursday, December 30, 2010

** US 9/11 health and compensation bill to pass into law soon

** Canadian military medic serving in Afghanistan recognized for distinguished service

UNITED STATES NEWS

** The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act for Ground Zero emergency responders is awaiting the signature of President Barack Obama to make it law. That is the word from Newsday (Carol Polsky/December 25) with said Senate approval of the bill came three days prior to Christmas after a last minute deal to reduce overall funding to $4.3 billion from the original plus $6 million proposed. According to the newspaper, those working the 9/11 site who have suffered significant health problems will be compensated for up to five years. While buoyed by the long struggle for passage now being concluded, several emergency workers expressed dismay at the lengthy battle waged. Former police officer Glen Klein, who suffered respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments since the post terrorist attack clean-up, said the political wrangle made him disappointed to be an American.

CANADA NEWS

** A Canadian military medic serving in Forward Operating Base Folad was awarded the CDS coin for exceptional service on Christmas Day. The National Post (Doug Schmidt/December 27) said Private Alexandre Lanoix was given the recognition by Chief of Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk. Natynczyk, who was touring bases with Defence Minister Peter Mackay and Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry, recognized Lanoix for saving the life of an engineer injured by a roadside bomb. According to the newspaper, the unnamed engineer suffered a traumatic amputation of his arm in November;he is currently recovering at home.