James Zadroga, the NYPD detective who gave his name to the original 9/11 bill after dying from exposure to Ground Zero, is getting some partners.
The names of late Det. Lou Alvarez and Firefighter Ray Pfeifer are being added to the new bill to restore the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, lawmakers are announcing Monday.
Both men, each battling stage-four cancer linked to their time at the trade center, gave precious remaining days of their lives in the push to extend the life of 9/11 legislation.
Alvarez died late last month, just weeks after testifying to Congress to renew the compensation fund, which expires in 2020 and has already slashed payments to victims and their families.
Obviously frail and exhausted, Alvarez's words to lawmakers brought home the reality that the terrorist attacks of nearly 18 years ago are still claiming victims.