As theaters prepared for the opening of Oliver Stone’s film “World Trade Center” tonight, New York advocacy groups and elected officials called for renewed focus on the real-life heroes of 9/11.  Many of the first responders and salvage workers who answered their nation’s call on that day were grievously sickened by World Trade Center contamination and have been left to fight for their lives without proper medical attention.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler delivered the following statement at a press conference held today across the street from Ground Zero:

“I would like to thank Unsung Heroes Helping Heroes, the Sierra Club, and, of course, my colleague Congresswoman Maloney for this opportunity to share my views on our government’s absolute failure to do right by the real heroes of 9/11, the uniformed personnel, volunteers, and workers who responded on that fateful day and who helped our city get back on its feet afterwards.

Today, in darkened theaters across the country, Americans will be re-living the terrible events of September 11th as they watch Oliver Stone’s latest blockbuster “World Trade Center.”  But no film, no matter what the budget, could match the real-world heroism that took place on this site almost 5 years ago.  And no Hollywood treatment, no matter how artful and dramatic, could truly capture the countless acts of bravery, kindness, and self-sacrifice that marked that terrible morning and its aftermath.

Unfortunately, in one important way life has failed to mirror art.   It is my understanding that the budget for this movie was 60 million dollars and that promoting such a film typically costs tens of millions of dollars more.  It is beyond comprehension that we would spend more money making and promoting a film in this country than the Federal government has set aside for the medical monitoring and treatment of the true heroes of 9/11.  Tragically, that is what has happened.

The Heroes of 9/11 should be honored, not forced to file lawsuits or cut through red tape to receive the consideration, respect, and care they so richly deserve.   Recovering from 9/11 is not simply a matter of building skyscrapers, transit hubs, and memorials; it is also about coping with the long-term health and environmental consequences of this unprecedented attack on American soil.  Anyone—first responders, residents, students—anyone who suffered an acute exposure to WTC toxins must have access to proper monitoring and treatment.

Until we treat our first responders right.  Until we are adequately protecting the health and safety of all those still at risk from the attacks of 9/11, we are willfully perpetuating the tragedy of that day.

So let us hope for the strength and heart to carry on the legacy of service our heroes began on that day.  Let us pray for the wisdom and compassion to learn how to honor their service in deed, as well as in words.

Thank you.”