Former VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya and FDNY Battalion Chief and UFOA Representative Sean Michael Join Board of Directors of 9/11 Responder and Advocacy Organization – Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act

Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act Inc., a 501(c)(4) created by the unions and groups that worked to get Washington to reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and create the World Trade Center Health Program, announced the election of Rupa Bhattacharya and Sean Michael to its Board of Directors. With the additions of Ms. Bhattacharyya and Mr. Michael, the organization will continue its mission to make sure that the legislation creating the programs is fully funded and meets the need of all 9/11 responders, survivors, and their families.

Rupa Bhattacharyya, who currently serves as Special Litigation Counsel at Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, was formerly the Special Master of the VCF. FDNY Battalion Chief Sean Michael currently serves as the Chiefs Representative and Recording Secretary at the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA).

Ryan Delgado, the organizations’ president said, “We are grateful that Rupa and Sean have agreed to join us this in this effort to ensure that all 9/11 responders and survivors get the care and support they need and deserve. We also want to thank Liam Guilfoyle of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) one of our Board members who is leaving after years of service.”

“I am privileged to join the Board of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act and continue my work to ensure that the responders and survivors affected by the tragedy of 9/11 get the help they deserve,” said Rupa Bhattacharyya, former VCF Special Master. “These programs hold a special place in my heart after serving nearly six years as Special Master, and my goal remains to ensure their success.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for 911 responders and survivors and to make sure they get the help they need and deserve.” said Sean Michael Chiefs’ Representative and Recording Secretary at the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA).

Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act and a broad coalition of unions and advocates worked over the years to build overwhelming Congressional support for 9/11 responders and survivors and their families. In 2015, that work resulted in the Congress acting and making the World Trade Center Health Program open until 2090 and extending the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for an additional five years and in 2019 fully funding the Compensation Fund and authorizing it to 2090.

And just last year working to deal with the impending funding deficit facing the World Trade Center Health Program and obtaining a billion dollars of funding in the end of the year Omnibus spending bill and the authorization of a new research cohort to study the impact of the toxins on the survivor community, especially those who were children at the time.

The organization is currently working to pass the “9/11Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 (S. 569/ H.R.1294) The bipartisan bill  would ensure that all responders to the Pentagon and Shanksville can join the WTC Health Program and it would also deal with the impending funding shortfall facing the World Trade Center Health Program and make sure it is fully funded now and in the future.