Community Corner
Patch Weekly Spotlight: John Feal Says 'Work To Do' For 9/11 Victims
The leading advocate for first responders said he lobbied on Capitol Hil more than 350 times since the terror attacks.
LONG ISLAND, NY — John Feal created a foundation to support the 9/11 first responder community. He has been a leading advocate, along with Jon Stewart, for ensuring extended health benefits for heroes who were severely ill from the terror attack toxins.
Feal was the guest for the debut "Patch Weekly Spotlight," marking 22 years after the solemn day in the city and the country. (Video of the full interview is below.)
"For those who lost a loved one that day and for those who lost a loved one since, I can't see it getting any easier," Feal said.
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The former construction worker from Commack was summoned to Ground Zero and was badly injured by a steel beam, causing an amputation of his foot.
In the years that followed, Feal became a thorn in Congress' side, making more than 350 trips to push for the victims, not only the first responders.
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"We did this for those who lived, worked and went to school in lower Manhattan," he said. "We implore everybody to get in the program."
Feal is proud of the legislation that he helped get across the finish line, including the Zadroga Act on three occasions, but "we have a lot of work left to do."
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