Photo credit: Conservation staff
Accession Number: C.2019.175.3
Dimensions: 9.25 in X 7 in
Dimensions (Metric): 23.495 cm X 17.78 cm
Credit Line: Gift of John Feal
Description
Letter dated July 29, 2019, and addressed to John Feal. The letter is typed on Nancy Pelosi's (Speaker of the House) stationery and signed by Pelosi. The letter acknowledges Feal's dedication to leading the support for the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadorga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act" and offers him her pen as a token of her appreciation.
Historical Notes
John Feal, a demolition worker injured at Ground Zero and the founder of the FealGood Foundation, received this letter from Nancy Pelosi. A relentless advocate, Feal made no fewer than 286 trips to Washington, DC, to lobby on behalf of thousands of rescue, recovery, and relief workers sickened and disabled by toxins to which they were exposed at the former World Trade Center site.
The reauthorized Victims Compensation Fund was passed by the U.S. Senate on July 23, 2019, and signed into law by President Trump on July 29, with Feal and many of his fellow activists present for the capstone moment.