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[NYCSTORM]

Following News Confirmed Death from WTC Dust,

Reps. Maloney, Fossella Ask City to Include Victim

On Official List of 9/11 Deaths

New York, NY - Today, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) and Congressman Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island, Brooklyn) asked the City of New York to reconsider its decision to exclude Felicia Jones-Dunn from its list of victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Maloney and Fossella made their request after learning that the federal government officially linked Ms. Jones-Dunn's death to her exposure to toxins near Ground Zero and paid a $2.6 million death benefit to her family through the Victim Compensation Fund.

In a letter dated today to NYC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Charles Hirsch, Maloney and Fossella also asked that the City consider developing an independent process to determine if other deaths likewise warrant inclusion on the City's 9/11 victims list. The full text of the Representatives' letter can be found at http://maloney.house.gov/documents/911recovery/20061025MedExaminer.pdf .

"Felicia's family believed that she was as much a victim of the attacks as those who died on 9/11 and the federal government confirmed it," said Rep. Maloney. "We hope the City will reconsider its decision and include Felicia on its official list of 9/11 victims."

"Unfortunately, we know that other 9/11 heroes have died and thousands more are sick," Maloney added. "We need an independent process to decide who should be included on the City's victims list."

"The federal government determined Felicia's death was caused by the toxins she inhaled on 9/11. Her name is on the 9/11 Memorial in St. George, Staten Island. It is only right for her name to be placed on the official list of 9/11 victims," said Fossella. "All levels of government must do more to honor the sacrifice of the many courageous individuals who have died or continue to suffer from 9/11-related illnesses."

Background

Felicia Jones-Dunn, a 42 year-old attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, was trapped in the dust cloud caused by the collapse of the first World Trade Center tower. In January 2002, Ms. Jones-Dunn developed a steadily worsening cough; a month later, she suddenly stopped breathing and died.

Believing that Felicia's death was caused by her exposure to toxins on 9/11, Ms. Jones-Dunn's family applied for a death benefit through the federal Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). Following testimony in support of the family's application from Dr. David Prezant, deputy chief medical officer of the New York Fire Department, the VCF confirmed that Ms. Jones-Dunn's death was caused by 9/11 and awarded her family a death benefit of $2.6 million.

Despite this evidence, the City's Chief Medical Officer has declined to put Felicia on the City's list of 9/11 victims, saying that there is insufficient evidence linking her death to the WTC attacks.

the new list is in the front post of fallen ground zero workers