updated February 21, 2008 Thursday
   " Journey for justice"
                 Itinerary  For travel on Feb 25th
                (Feb 26th itinerary to follow shortly)
 
 
Long island..............Bus will leave at 11.00 am from park-n-ride in Huntington,which is exit 49 of the long island expressway(495)Bus will leave 11.00 am sharp and news 12 long island and newsday will be there to interview responders around 10.30 am
 
 
New York City. bus will leave at 12.00(noon) from the GW Bridge(new york side) bus station the station is located btw 178 & 179th streets,we implore you to get dropped off or take public transportation(bus,cab,train) there is no parking there, also there will be media there to interview, so arrive early if you wish to interview
 
 
New Jersey. bus will leave the Thomas Edison service area at 1.00 pm,it is located btw interchanges 12 & 11 on the NJ turnpike southbound side,and is located in Woodbridge Township in Middlesex county  (See info about parking in NJ below)
 
 
There will be snacks,and bottles of water on the buses. There will be a nurse traveling,there will be wheel chairs available if needed,after we get in D.C.,we implore everyone to act in a manner suitable to others and professionally. We are traveling to bring a message of  9/11 HEALTHCARE,must be a priority and remain an issue to our current and next president,we implore everyone to wear RED to show unity and that we are united. There will be a vehicle traveling behind the buses in case of an emergencey.Lets make our presence felt,lets make history and lets show our federal government we will not sit idle,while the sick get sicker and we loose more brave souls. Those who are not taking buses and traveling by plane,train or car,please let us know immediately and if your getting your own rooms.We have secured 70 rooms. Those coming from out of state let us know if you will be staying in one of our rooms provided for you immediatly.

Due to NJ State laws we are unable to leave our cars overnight at the Thomas Edison Service Center.

 
At this time,  THE CLARION HOTEL
                   1450 HIGHWAY 73 EAST
                   CHERRY HILL, NJ
has been very generouse and has allowed us to park up to 20 cars at their site. Please be respectfull in parking your car in designated stalls.  You must park in the back of the building.  Responder Charlie Giles will be at this site, and will provide you with a sign to display on your dash board.  Once again, we appoligize for any additional inconvience that this may cause.  We are greatful to the Clarion Hotel for their generosity, and support.

 Jersey Turnpike to Exit #4, switch on to 73 North for an estimate of approximetly 30 seconds, to 295 South.  Go to exit # 34B, The Clarion Hotel is right there.
                                     "JOURNEY FOR JUSTICE"
Thank you,responders,family members,supporters,and media for your patience while we finalize all details of the historical trip. There was a tremendous amount of planning and organizing for this trip.The Fealgood Foundation wishes to thank all NY delegates who have taken time to speak,we wish to thank all congressional staffers and members of both the senate and congress to meet with us on these very important issue's that surround 9/11 responders and their healthcare.Most of all we thank the media for continuing to tell our story and the brave souls,men and woman who will travel to Washington to be heard and seen.It is the resolve and testament of all you brave individuals that has given me the strength to better serve you all and the 9/11 community. "Make no mistake" we are not going to D.C. to make friends,but rather make working relationships with those who will play a significant role in assuring that 9/11 healthcare and proper funding is an issue now and in January 2009. "Make no mistake" we are not a special interest group,nor lobbyist group,but we take very special interest in our own health care & benefits."Make no mistake" we are heroes,and we will act like heroes,we will enter D.C. and leave D.C. with class,pride,dignity and respect. We will bring a message of solutions,problem solving and show our government we are not here to point fingers and bash anyone.   
 
                                                                                              God bless you all
                                                                                                       John Feal 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Vin Gopal (732-299-5625)

OVER 200 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS RALLY AT CAPITOL HILL IN  CALL FOR NATIONWIDE ATTENTION TO ISSUE

ATTENTION MEDIA:::If you are unable to come during the morning rally, please schedule a private interview in the afternoon with 9/11 health leaders in the afternoon. Thank you for covering this important issue.

WASHINGTON DC - 02.21.08 - Over 200 9/11 First Responders, family members and supporters will be rallying on Capitol Hill this Tuesday, February 26th.

From 10:00am to 12:00pm, First Responders will rally on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill. Scheduled speakers include Dennis Kucinich (OH), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY), Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY), Congressman Tim Bishop (NY) and other Congressional leaders. Advocates of several 9/11 health organizations as well as family members and first responders from September 11, 2001 will also be discussing the health issues they currently face.

The rally is aimed to address the following issues:

* The government just cut 9/11Health Care funding by 77%.  A paltry $25 million was designated for fiscal year 2009, down from $108 million in 2008.  This means every program in existence (including Mt. Sinai) will be operating on a severely reduced budget.

* This past December 2007, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt canceled plans for the World Trade Center Business Process Center.  This center was designed to provide treatment for the 10,000-plus First Responders who reside outside the New York metropolitan area, many of whom are seriously ill.

* The 9/11 Health & Compensation Act (aka the James Zadroga bill) has still not been passed.  This hugely important piece of legislation that would help all 9/11 families has been ignored within Congress up until now--it is time to speak up to to get it passed!

After the event, 9/11 health leaders have several scheduled meetings, including with the offices of Congressmembers Eliot Engel, Jim Moran, Kristen Gillibrand, Gary Ackerman, Chris Murphy, Joe Donnelly, Lois Capps, David Drier, Duncan Hunter, John Murtha, Dennis Kucinich, John Conyers, John Hall and Chris Shays and meetings with the offices of Senators John McCain, Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Dole, Chuck Schumer and John Warner.

The event is being organized and hosted by John Feal and the Fealgood Foundation (www.fealgoodfoundation.com) contact 631 7243320 / 631 884 1604


For Media RSVP for the morning rally or to schedule a private afternoon interview with 9/11 health leaders, please call Vin Gopal at 732-299-5625 or e-mail Vin Gopal at vin.gopal.2008@gmail.com

 

###SCHEDULE FOR RESPONDERS & FAMILY MEMBERS


10:00am to 12:00pm
RALLY ON WEST LAWN

12:30pm to 1:30pm
LUNCH AT CAPITOL HILL


2:00pm to 5:00pm
OPTIONS


  1. MEET WITH CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS

  2. GET AN OFFICIAL TOUR OF THE CAPITOL (FREE)

  3. GET AN OFFICIAL TOUR OF THE SMITHSONIAN (FREE)

  4. VISIT THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM (FREE)

  5. VISIT A VETERANS' HOME TO MEET WITH INJURED VETERANS (DETAILS COMING SOON)

Things and events are always possible to change with a group this large,we will handle any unforeseen circumstances and try to meet all accommodations of congressional leaders,media and responders.