REMARKS
Council Member Brewer introduces Resolution 560 on 9/11 environmental toxins
0:07:13
ยท
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Council Member Brewer introduces Resolution 560, which would direct the Department of Investigation to conduct an investigation into the knowledge possessed by mayoral administrations regarding environmental toxins produced by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- This resolution represents a novel approach, using the council's authority under section 803 of the New York City Charter
- It aims to reveal what city government knew about environmental toxins and when
- The investigation would be required to produce a comprehensive public report within 2 years
- Brewer emphasizes the importance of transparency and how the findings could inform future responses to toxic emergencies
Gale A. Brewer
0:07:13
Finally, resolution 560, which is kinda like an intro, would direct DOI to conduct an investigation to ascertain the knowledge possessed by Merrill administrations on environmental toxins produced by the September 11th, 2,001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and to submit a report to the council thereon.
0:07:36
This legislation is a direct response to the Adams administration's refusal to release the documents despite requests to members of Congress, advocates, and the media.
0:07:47
And other mayors have refused also.
0:07:49
I wanna be clear.
0:07:50
Using a novel approach, and this is novel, if passed, this resolution would represent the first time, the very first time the city council, as a body, has evoked the authority granted by section 803 of the New York City Charter to direct DOI to conduct an investigation through a binding resolution.
0:08:13
DOI would be required to complete a comprehensive public report on the findings no later than 2 years after the adoption of the resolution.
0:08:22
As I think we know, more people have died in the years since the attack than died on the day itself from respiratory issues, cancers, and other diseases caused by the toxins on ground 0 in the surrounding areas.
0:08:38
This resolution will finally reveal what city government knew about an environmental about environmental toxins produced by the September 11th attacks and when, and I hope California is paying attention to this.
0:08:51
This transparency is particularly relevant in this moment when trust in government is severely lacking.
0:08:57
The findings would also inform our city's response to future toxic emergencies.