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May 25, 2007 7:30 pm US/Eastern
Politicians: 9/11 Responder Deaths Are Homicides
Dunn-Jones May Not Be Only One Added To Memorial
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Politicians are putting pressure on city medical officials to rule that many 9/11 first responders who have died were actually murdered, much like Felicia Dunn-Jones.
CBS
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The structural remains of the World Trade Center on the day after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. A new study by the Mt. Sinai Medical Center says many first responders have long-term health issues.
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The Steel beam cross stands over Ground Zero as construction began in August (AP)
AP
Pressure is mounting on officials to declare the deaths of more than 100 9/11 responders as homicides.
There are also new calls for the victims' names to be added to the 9/11 Memorial.
Joseph Jones wears his wife Felicia Dunn-Jones' wedding rings around his neck, a poignant reminder of the woman whose death from lung disease in 2002 is now the first to officially be linked to the toxic dust from the World Trade Center attacks.
"She didn't die that day, but she died from wounds she suffered that day," Jones said. "Felicia was a casualty of an act of war."
Jones and his 15-year-old daughter, Rebecca, joined politicians at ground zero on Friday to demand the city Medical Examiner probe the deaths of others at ground zero to see if they are linked to the toxic cloud of dust from the attack.
"Thousands of people with 9/11 related illnesses, and the doctors have long understood that the ground zero dust was harmful and even deadly," Rep. Carolyn Maloney said.
First responders say its well past time for officials to admit they got sick from working on the pile.
"I applaud the medical examiner for making this direct link, but its six years late and we need more doctors to come forward and say these brave souls are sick because of the aftermath of 9-11," responder John Feal said.
Attorney David Worby represents thousands of 9/11 victims
"We have over 100 people who have died," Worby said. "What this case points out is that toxicity the woman was exposed to on one day killed her. We have people who were there for six months, thousands of hours, every day breathing it, ingesting it."
There was at least some good news for 9/11 responders on Friday. On Thursday night, Congress appropriated an additional $50 million for their health care needs.
Dunn-Jones' name will now be listed on the 9/11 Memorial at ground zero as an official casualty of the attack. Officials feel that others who have died from 9/11 illnesses should be given the same honor.
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