Cap
Photo credit: David E. Starke
Accession Number: C.2023.69.3
Dimensions: 2 in X 7 in X 11 in
Dimensions (Metric): 5.08 cm X 17.78 cm X 27.94 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 5.08 cm X 17.78 cm X 27.94 cm
Source: John Feal
Credit Line: Gift of John Feal dedicated to those we lost and continue to lose
Keywords
Health Effects
Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
Rescue and Recovery
Health Effects
Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
Rescue and Recovery
Description
Plaid flat cap.
Plaid flat cap.
Historical Notes
Demolition worker John Feal was injured days after arriving at Ground Zero, resulting in the amputation of part of a foot. Initially denied compensation he believed he was due, Feal became a grassroots advocate for responders, recovery workers, and survivors facing illness and mounting medical expenses. The FealGood Foundation, established in 2005 to raise funds on behalf of recovery workers, championed the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2015, and finally the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act" in 2019.
During this initial round of lobbying on Capitol Hill, Feal became an unmistakable persona, wearing this plaid cap with his red letterman jacket or his red windbreaker. Feal recalled that he often donned the cap when he anticipated having a hard lobbying day ahead, hoping the cap itself would imbue him with the fighting spirit of William Wallace, a 13th-century knight who later helped lead the First War of Scottish Independence.
Demolition worker John Feal was injured days after arriving at Ground Zero, resulting in the amputation of part of a foot. Initially denied compensation he believed he was due, Feal became a grassroots advocate for responders, recovery workers, and survivors facing illness and mounting medical expenses. The FealGood Foundation, established in 2005 to raise funds on behalf of recovery workers, championed the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2015, and finally the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act" in 2019.
During this initial round of lobbying on Capitol Hill, Feal became an unmistakable persona, wearing this plaid cap with his red letterman jacket or his red windbreaker. Feal recalled that he often donned the cap when he anticipated having a hard lobbying day ahead, hoping the cap itself would imbue him with the fighting spirit of William Wallace, a 13th-century knight who later helped lead the First War of Scottish Independence.
Curator's Comment
The 9/11 attacks continue to affect the health and well-being of victims’ families and friends, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, cleaning crews, and those living and working in the vicinity of the three crash sites. Some injuries were immediately obvious, requiring hospitalization, surgeries, and lengthy recuperations. Other injuries were less apparent, including emotional scars and later illnesses.
Almost immediately, questions arose about the long-term impact of exposure to the dust clouds that formed when the towers collapsed on 9/11 and the dangers of working at the site during the recovery. Days after the attack, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared the air in lower Manhattan safe. Subsequent tests showed that the omnipresent dust—made of pulverized building materials, industrial chemicals, and electronics mingled with jet fuel residue—was hazardous. Critics accused the government of a failure to protect citizens and inconsistent enforcement of respirator use at Ground Zero.
Survivors, residents, workers, and concerned citizens fought for legal remedies for injuries, treatment expenses, and loss of work. After years of debate, the U.S. Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010. The landmark bill provides financial compensation to individuals who suffered physical injury or death as a result of the 9/11 attacks and established a program that monitors and treats those with 9/11-related health conditions. Congress reauthorized the Zadroga Act in 2015, extending the compensation fund for five additional years and the health program through 2090. In 2019, after another lobbying effort, the compensation fund was extended through 2092. More than 95,000 people living in all 50 states have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program.
HIDE
The 9/11 attacks continue to affect the health and well-being of victims’ families and friends, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, cleaning crews, and those living and working in the vicinity of the three crash sites. Some injuries were immediately obvious, requiring hospitalization, surgeries, and lengthy recuperations. Other injuries were less apparent, including emotional scars and later illnesses.
Almost immediately, questions arose about the long-term impact of exposure to the dust clouds that formed when the towers collapsed on 9/11 and the dangers of working at the site during the recovery. Days after the attack, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared the air in lower Manhattan safe. Subsequent tests showed that the omnipresent dust—made of pulverized building materials, industrial chemicals, and electronics mingled with jet fuel residue—was hazardous. Critics accused the government of a failure to protect citizens and inconsistent enforcement of respirator use at Ground Zero.
Survivors, residents, workers, and concerned citizens fought for legal remedies for injuries, treatment expenses, and loss of work. After years of debate, the U.S. Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010. The landmark bill provides financial compensation to individuals who suffered physical injury or death as a result of the 9/11 attacks and established a program that monitors and treats those with 9/11-related health conditions. Congress reauthorized the Zadroga Act in 2015, extending the compensation fund for five additional years and the health program through 2090. In 2019, after another lobbying effort, the compensation fund was extended through 2092. More than 95,000 people living in all 50 states have enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program.
HIDE
