FBI Agents Association Statement on 22nd Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Washington, DC – In commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) President Natalie Bara issued the following statement:
“The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) expresses our condolence to the victims and their families of the 9/11 attacks and pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all Special Agents and other first responders who demonstrated unwavering courage and compassion in serving our fellow citizens on that day and in the investigations that followed. We mourn those who lost their lives on 9/11 including FBI Special Agent Leonard “Lenny” Hatton and retired FBI Special Agent John P. O’Neill. Agent Hatton selflessly rushed to the World Trade Center on that fateful day, providing critical information to the FBI and assisting in leading people to safety. Mr. O’Neill, who had recently retired from the FBI to assume the role of Chief of Security for the World Trade Center, courageously returned to aid others after escaping the North Tower.
We also remember the FBI Special Agents and other first responders who, in the line of duty, were exposed to hazardous materials and toxins at the 9/11 sites and who continue today to suffer from illnesses resulting from this exposure. Over 300 FBI employees are among the 60,000 emergency responders, recovery, and cleanup workers who have been diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses, as reported by the World Trade Center Health Program.
FBIAA mourns the loss of Special Agent Jack Hess, who recently passed away from cancer from noxious exposures from his work at the Pentagon on 9/11. Despite his illness, Jack dedicated himself to encouraging the thousands of Agents who responded following the attacks on 9/11 to sign up for health benefits, including being featured in this FBI video.
We honor the memory of the 17 Agents, four professional staff members, and a member of the FBI Police who have succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses: Special Agents Dennis Bonelli, Steven A. Carr, William R. Craig, Brian L. Crews, Laurie Fournier, Jack Hess, Jerry D. Jobe, Mark C. Johnston, David J. LeValley, Mark J. Mikulski, Thomas Mohnal, Melissa S. Morrow, Robert M. Roth, Gerard D. Senatore, Rex A. Stockham, Paul H. Wilson, and Wesley J. Yoo; professional employees Nicole Conti, William “Homer” Lewis, Bryan Myers and Saul Tocker; and, FBI Police Lieutenant Yiu Tak “Louis” Tao. They will forever be remembered for their sacrifice.
To honor their legacy, FBIAA, in partnership with the FBI, is ensuring that Agents battling 9/11-related illnesses and their families receive the support they need and deserve. This support encompasses assistance and benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor, World Trade Center Health Program, Victims Compensation Fund (VCF), and other sources. Fallen Agents from 9/11-related illnesses are now recognized on the FBI Wall of Honor, and FBIAA’s Memorial College Fund covers a significant portion of college costs for the children of Agents who pass away.
FBIAA strongly encourages all Agents to register with The World Trade Center Health Program at www.cdc.gov/wtc/ and the VCF at www.vcf.gov.”
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The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) is an organization dedicated to providing support and advocacy to active and former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Membership includes more than 14,000 active and former Special Agents of the FBI. For more information, please visit www.fbiaa.org.
