To the Editor:

Our government is broken.

We hear that a lot lately. It seems that our officials, both elected and appointed in Washington can’t agree on anything.  It looks as if they are constantly divided. It makes sense if they don’t agree on some issues.  Good people of conscience can differ.

But there’s a matter that should have been addressed years ago and that most people will agree should be dealt with. Congress has done nothing about this and refuses to even consider the issue.

I am a 9/11 responder. My fellow responders and I answered the call during one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history.

I asked our elected officials in Washington about awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to 9/11 responders, both living and posthumous.  Such an award was made to those who perished on 9/11 almost 10 years ago. That such an award was earned is painfully obvious. But even more 9/11 responders have died from 9/11-related illnesses than those who were killed on that terrible day.

According to Congressional staffers, Congress will not consider ANY such requests at this time. Their current rules won’t even allow such a request to be heard on the floor. They were honestly surprised that this hadn’t happened yet. Some of them honestly thought this had already been done.

We have waited far too long to be recognized by our country for our efforts and sacrifice. A petition has been created to lobby Congress to get this passed.  Here’s the link: https://chng.it/cVjC5rvK7R.

Please sign this and share it as much as possible. 9/11 responders are dying every day. It’s long past time for our government to act.

Richard Rezac
Highmore