May 10, 2011
By Myles Nicholas Miller and Michael A. Harris
New York lawmakers want the $50 million dollar reward the U.S. government was offering for information leading to the arrest of terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden to go the survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn/Queens and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D – Brooklyn/Manhattan) plan to introduce to reallocate the money to survivors and the families of those who died. Under federal law since bin Laden’s capture is believed to be the result of military intelligence, not a tip, it likely will never be paid.
“If the bounty isn’t paid, Osama bin Laden’s victims should get it,” said Weiner. “I can think of no better recipient than those organizations which have committed themselves to helping first responders, their families and survivors whose lives have been forever affected by Bin Laden’s actions.”
John Feal, whose organization the FealGood Foundation is dedicated to helping 9/11 first responders said the money would benefit victim’s families.
“This can help so many people, so many families with scholarships to put food on the table,” said Feal, a construction supervisor, who lost part of his foot working at the World Trade Center site and later became one of the leading voices behind the passage of the Zadroga Bill.
Asked about his thoughts on the matter, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said only that it’s “an issue for the federal government to decide.”
Bin Laden was killed in a May 1 raid on his compound in Pakistan.
