Page 4 - QT Edition #6 (02-05-26)

PAGE 4 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026

Gillibrand, Schumer Deliver Full
Funding For World Trade Center
Health Program

Following years of advocacy, knows that when they need care,
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand that care will be there for them.
(D-NY), a member of the Sen- And today, a promise made be-
ate Appropriations Committee, comes a promise kept. Now, with
It’s In Queens! and U.S. Senate Minority Leader the World Trade Center Health
(Feb. 6 to Feb. 12) Chuck Schumer celebrated Con- Program fully funded, I’m thrilled
gress’ passage of legislation to to say we are eliminating funding
It’s a musical week with Ballroom, fully fund the World Trade Center cliffs for this program once and for
Gospel, Jazz, Klezmer, Mambo, Health Program (WTCHP), which all to ensure survivors will always
Salsa, Spirituals, and Tchaikovsky. is now on its way to the president’s receive the care they need. ”
But there’s time for Mexican dance, desk to be signed into law. “Senator Gillibrand has contin-
local gardens, and West African Twenty-five years after the ued her tireless efforts on behalf
Pepper Pot Stew. Please read on. September 11th attacks, first re- of 9/11 responders and survivors,”
sponders and survivors continue said Benjamin Chevat, Execu-
• Feb. 7, Salsa With Love, 8 pm. to be diagnosed with serious and tive Director of Citizens for the
Dance the night away to Ali Bello often life-threatening 9/11-related Extension of the James Zadroga
& The Charanga Syndicate along- health conditions, underscoring Act. “Since the day she passed
side Uptown Royalty NYC. $30 to the ongoing need for stable fed-
$35. Queens Theatre, 14 United the James Zadroga Act, 15 years
Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows eral support for the program. The ago that created the World Trade
Corona Park WTCHP faces increasing demand Center Health Program, that now
• Feb. 7, The NEW Jack Cole as enrollment continues to grow provides medical treatment and
Dancers’ CLUB ACT, 7 pm. The and new illnesses are identified, monitoring for over 140,000 9/11
CUNY Dance Initiative presents putting pressure on the program’s responders and survivors in every
a developmental showing of The resources. state and in 434 out of 435 Con-
NEW Jack Cole Dancers’ CLUB The WTCHP was established in gressional Districts, she has never
ACT, an evening of Jazz, dance, 2011 as part of the James Zadroga wavered in her determination to
and music. $15. Little Theater at 9/11 Health and Compensation protect the program and ensure
LaGuardia Performing Arts Cen- Act and was originally funded the services it provides. Now after
ter, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long for five years at $1.6 billion. working in a bipartisan effort with
Island City. The program was reauthorized Senator Schumer and Congress-
• Feb. 7, Book Launch with Rafael in 2015 and extended through men Garbarino, Nadler and the
Herrin-Ferri, 7 pm. Celebrate the 2090 with bipartisan support. In entire NY Delegation, she has suc-
launch of All the Queens Gardens 2022, Senators Gillibrand and ceeded in getting the World Trade
with the author of All the Queens Schumer led lawmakers in passing Center Health Program fully
Houses, Rafael Herrin-Ferri. He $1 billion for the WTCHP in the funded and preventing any cuts in
will walk through the process of end-of-year spending bill, and in services to those that count on the
making his latest book and high- 2023, the senators helped secure program and are still dealing with
light his favorite local gardens. Kew an additional $676 million for the the health impact of the toxins at
& Willow Books, 81-63 Lefferts
Blvd., Kew Gardens. program. The updated funding Ground Zero, the Pentagon and
• Feb. 7, Ballroom Dance Meets secured this year continues that the Shanksville crash site even as
Mambo, 7 pm. The George Gee commitment to ensuring 9/11 we approach the 25th Anniversary
Swing Orchestra does a set. The responders and survivors receive of the attack.”
Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Octet the care they need, now and in the “They say a victory has 1000
performs. Then, both bands jam years ahead. fathers. In all actuality this vic-
together. $32 to $37. Flushing Town “The World Trade Center tory, the passage of the WTCHP
Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Health Program honors our prom- Correction Act (H.R.1410) has
• Feb. 7, Colonial Culinary: West GTM.4 ise to never forget our 9/11 survi- 145,000 plus fathers, in which
African Pepper Pot Stew, 10 am. vors and the first responders who over 48,000 plus have a certified
Chop, mix, and bake with ingre- protected our nation in its darkest 9/11 relate cancer,” said John Feal,
dients, recipes, and techniques a dynamic show celebrating the ing Yiddish Folk and Klezmer hour,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I 9/11 Responder and Advocate.
from the 19th century during this real-life contributions of Mexican classics with Black Spirituals, was proud to work across the aisle “Responders & Survivors will
periodical program. West African immigrants to the United States. Gospel, and Jazz. $36 to $180. to finally secure full funding for continue to receive treatment and
Pepper Pot Stew is this day’s sub- LaGuardia Performing Arts Cen- Queensborough Performing Arts the World Trade Center Health those who will get sick in the fu-
ject. $55. Queens County Farm ter, 45-50 Van Dam St., Long Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside. Program, and I am relieved that ture from their toxic exposure will
Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Island City. • Feb. 10, Legends: Athleticism in the funding has been passed and be able to join them. This short
Glen Oaks. • Feb. 8, Bowie & Friends Closing, Asian/American Art, May 14. This will soon be signed into law. En- lived victory which took over 2
• Feb. 7, Candlelight Tours, 6 3 pm The final viewing and last exhibition explores the intersection suring our 9/11 first responders years was only achieved by the
pm. Volunteers offer tours of the chance to buy pieces in the Bowie of art and sport through the work and survivors have the resources commitment & leadership of the
naturally illuminated historic land- & Friends painting exhibition. of contemporary Asian and Asian they need to cope with the long-
NY Delegation and a selective few
mark while local resident Carlos Aubergine Café, 49-22 Skillman American artists. Opening recep- term health effects from toxic across the Country who worked
Pavan plays modern classic guitar Ave., Sunnyside. tion on Feb. 10 at 6 pm. Queens Col-
favorites. Mulled Cider and other • Feb. 8, Abolition in the Revolu- lege’s Godwin-Ternbach Museum, exposure has been one of my top closely as partners with a team
refreshments are available, too. tionary Era, 1:30 pm. An illustrated 65-30 Kissena Blvd., 405 Klapper, priorities for my entire tenure in of Advocates (Citizens for the
$20 (suggested donation). Onder- talk that explores the anti-slavery Flushing. Congress. I am so proud of the Extension of the James Zadroga
donk House, 1820 Flushing Ave., activities of the Bowne family and • Feb. 11, Monthly Jazz Jam work that our tireless advocates Act & the FealGood Foundation)
Ridgewood. other New York Quakers in the Honoring Miles Davis, 7 pm. Musi- have done to fully fund the World who refused to give up and take
• Feb. 7, Celebrating the Prescod Revolutionary War Era. Archivist cians, students, educators, and hob- Trade Center Health Program.” no for an answer. Everyone’s
Brothers’ Life and Ministries, 3 Charlotte Jackson offers a close- byists get together and jam. Don’t “Today, after years of work, resolve & testament while tested,
pm. An afternoon of music, culture, up look at historical documents, play? Come listen. $15. Flushing we finally deliver on the sacred never waivered and for that I am
and community to celebrate Carlos including an 18th century Bowne Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. promise to ‘Never Forget’ by fully humbled to be part of this victory.”
D. Prescod (1942-2020) and Roy family manumission certificate. • Feb. 12, Thursday Night Jazz funding the World Trade Center “Tonight’s action by the United
A. Prescod (1936-2019) and their $15. Bowne House, 37-01 Bowne Presents: Tivon Pennicott, 8 pm. Health Program to ensure the States Senate is a critical step
Afro-Panamanian roots. The Maple St., Flushing. For years, Tivon Pennicott has brave first responders & survivors forward for the heroes of Septem-
Grove Cemetery, vicinity of 129th • Feb. 8, Community Block Quilt been transporting audiences to a always get the care they deserve. ber 11th and their families. The
Street and Kew Gardens Road. Workshop, 1 pm. Quilters or all higher level of consciousness. On I have seen firsthand the toll that continued funding of the World
• Feb. 7, Pancake Records Popup, skill levels are invited to create his latest album release, “Roots to uncertainty and funding gaps Trade Center Health Program
1 pm. Books (music-themed and hand-stitched blocks that become Branches,” he lets the Spirit lead, take on our 9/11heroes, standing is not a political issue — it is a
otherwise), hot beverages, and part of a larger red and white quilt. acknowledging the foundation and with them as more and more got moral obligation,” said Uniformed
merch for sale in the back with $10. Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 strength of his Jamaican heritage. sick with cancers and other ill- Firefighters Association President
DJ Poison Ivy in the front. Pan- 38th Ave., Flushing. Jamaica Performing Arts Center, nesses from rushing to danger and Andrew Ansbro. “Thousands of
cakes Records, 20-77 Steinway • Feb. 8, Compost In Context, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. working on the pile,” said Senator firefighters and first responders
St., Astoria. 10 am. Learn about composting in • Feb. 12, New York Classical
• Feb. 7, Read Black History, 1 NYC — the challenges, changes, Players: Tchaikovsky & Wagner, Schumer. “Families will no longer answered the call on the worst day
have to worry whether funding in our nation’s history, and many
pm. Children learn about Black and importance. Free. Queens 7:30 pm. The New York Classical
figures in American history and Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Players leads a musical dialogue will be there for their loved ones to are still paying the price with their
revolutions around the world with Flushing. between lyricism and virtuosity afford life-saving treatment. From health. This funding ensures they
reading circles, access to a learning • Feb. 9, Soul To Soul, 7 pm. This in this sweeping program. Tchai- the moment of the attacks, brave will continue to receive the care
library, and art inspired by the work show explores the intersections of kovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo first responders and everyday they were promised and deserve.
of Alma Thomas. King Manor Mu- Yiddish and African-American Theme” and Wagner’s “Prelude New Yorkers made extraordi- We are deeply grateful to Senator
seum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave. musical folk traditions. The highly and Liebestod” are on the playl- nary sacrifices for our country. I Gillibrand and her colleagues for
• Feb. 8, Viñedos, 3 pm. Calpulli gifted vocalists perform a unique ist. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 promised I would not rest, never
Mexican Dance Company offers and demanding repertoire, blend- Northern Blvd. stop fighting until every 9/11 hero (Continued on page 8)