9/11 Health Watch Fundraiser in New York City Honors Denis Hughes

Last night was the annual fundraiser for 9/11 Health Watch, a vital organization supporting  9/11 victims and their families.  Turley, Redmond and Rosasco was pleased to financially support 9/11 Health Watch at the Advocate Level as we have done in the past. As always, Executive Director Ben Chevat organized a great evening.

The honoree last night was former New York State AFL-CIO Union President Denis Hughes. Mr. Hughes was President of the AFL-CIO on 9/11.  Following the September 11th tragedy, Mr. Hughes led labor’s successful efforts to secure $billions in federal funding to help rebuild New York City. After the Word Trade Center buildings came down, he also helped coordinate the statewide union response to help in the rescue, recovery and cleanup at Ground Zero. Current AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento (pictured above with ) introduced Denis Hughes and presented him with a plaque from 9/11 Health Watch in recognition of distinguished service to 9/11 victims and the entire city in their months of need.

The New York State AFL-CIO is an umbrella organization of over 3,000 public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout New York State.  The AFL-CIO represents over 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. This umbrella organization of unions, which is the largest in the country, is committed to the fight for social and economic justice for all workers of all backgrounds and nationalities.  The foundation of our movement is the belief that we are stronger together.

Bottom Line – New York City could never have recovered from the devastating impact 9/11 had it not been for the strength of our loyal and dedicated union workforce.  First, they worked tirelessly for months to clean up all the steel and toxic debris (much of which is now causing 9/11 related cancers) from the World Trade Center buildings. Second, they then began to long process of rebuilding lower Manhattan culminating in the completion of the 9/11 Memorial and the new One World Trade Center building.  And it was people like Denis Hughes that helped Captain the labor union ship.

9/11 Health Watch was instrumental in helping pass the recent Reauthorization of the James Zadroga Health & Compensation Act of 2015.  It is also a force behind the ongoing success of the World Trade Center Health Program. If you are able to help support this vital organization, please visit their website here to become a member or  to make a donation.