Archive for the ‘September 11th’ Category

Congress Finally Supports the 9/11 First Responders

Friday, December 18th, 2015
Respect from the Lower Manhattan Community

Respect from the Lower Manhattan Community

Congress’ omnibus spending bill passed the House this morning and cleared the Senate in the afternoon. The budget included the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which had been created five years ago to cover health care costs for 9/11 first responders, but expired for lack of support. Today, both Houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly to extend the Zadroga Act for 75 years, thereby giving lifetime health benefits to people suffering from medical conditions as a consequence of their work at Ground Zero. In addition to extending the healthcare coverage for first responders and others suffering long-term health issues resulting from the events of 9/11, Congress renewed the Victims Compensation Fund for another five years. The Fund aids victims unable to work due to medical disability arising from 9/11, as well as their families.  It is a relief that Congress finally did the right thing, but a disgrace that it took 15 years.  The photograph in this blog post shows a painting that you can see  at many restaurants and shops in Lower Manhattan, where support for first responders is understandably strong and unwavering. I photographed this one at Blarney Stone, a family-owned pub near the World Trade Center, a favorite place where I like to have a sandwich in between appointments.

Remembering Those Who Died on September 11, 2001

Friday, September 11th, 2015
NYC Fire Department Ladder 10

NYC Fire Department Ladder 10

Ladder Company 10 and Engine Company 10, the Ten House of the New York City Fire Department, are located at 124 Liberty Street, directly across from what used to be the South Tower of the World Trade Center. It is the only fire station inside Ground Zero. The Ten House firefighters were the first on the scene after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Six of their members lost their lives serving others on that fateful day: Lieutenant Gregg A. Atlas, Firefighter Paul Pansini, Lieutenant Stephen G. Harrell, Firefighter Sean P. Tallon, Firefighter Jeffrey J. Olsen and Captain (Ret.) James J. Corrigan. The Ten House sustained significant damage on 9/11 and was rebuilt and re-opened in November of 2003. It remains a critical part of the newly reconstructed World Trade Center site. Visitors from around the world come to Ten House to meet the firefighters and acknowledge their bravery. At each anniversary of 9/11, the members of Ten House honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. It is quite moving for me to return there and recall what it was like when we experienced the unthinkable. I remember the extraordinary calm and resolve shown by the first responders, some of whom led our evacuation across the Hudson River to New Jersey. We will always be grateful for their service.

 

Expressing Thanks to John Whitehead, an Extraordinary Man

Sunday, February 8th, 2015
Reviewing the Construction of the 9-11 Memorial

Reviewing the Construction of the 9-11 Memorial

Yesterday evening, the global business news media paid tribute to the contributions John Whitehead made over the course of his remarkable life. He died on Saturday at his home, at the age of 92. Mr. Whitehead had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, commanding a landing craft on Omaha Beach in the D-Day invasion of Normandy.  After the war ended, he completed his MBA at Harvard Business School (and later established HBS’s social enterprise program), and then joined Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs. He rose to the rank of chairman, a position he held until he retired in 1984. In his “retirement” years, John Whitehead dedicated his time to public service and philanthropy. During the Reagan Administration, Mr. Whitehead served as deputy to U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz. He also served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a board member of the New York Stock Exchange.

I am fortunate enough to be among the many who were mentored by John Whitehead and remember him with great fondness. In Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery: A Small Business Guide (the first edition of the current Prepare for the Worst: Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses), I wrote (page x) “I am particularly grateful to John Whitehead, who was formerly the senior partner of Goldman Sachs. Many members of 85 Broads {a women’s networking group} told me of his generosity in sharing his time and experience to assist younger bankers who sought to launch their own enterprises. Two weeks after the attack on the World Trade Center, he spent a half-day providing his feedback for a community development fund of my company. Not long after that meeting, John Whitehead was appointed the chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.” The LMDC was formed to oversee the rebuilding of downtown Manhattan following the events of 9-11. John Whitehead was also founding chairman of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. I am grateful to have known him and am keeping the Whitehead family in my prayers.