Ground Zero health bill clears both houses of Congress in legislative 'Christmas Miracle'

In Washington DC yesterday, after years of delay, the U.S. Congress adopted legislation that provides $4.3 billion in funding to aid 9/11 first responders who are battling illnesses they contracted during their service at Ground Zero.

New York's U.S. senators, Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, were key motivators for the legislation. After the bill was passed by the Senate, the House version passed within hours of the Senate vote.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Health care bill for 9/11 rescuers may come up for a vote today

 In Washington D.C., a health care bill intended to provide free medical treatment to Ground Zero volunteers may come up for a vote on Wednesday.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, said the bill may come up at about the same time as a nuclear arms policy matter being proposed by the Obama administration.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill, named for a deceased NYPD detective, passed in the House, 268-160, with a vote that was mostly along partisan lines.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Imam's wife says she and husband have received death threats

According to Daisy Kahn, wife of the imam planning the Islamic community center near the site of the World Trade Center attacks, she and her husband have been receiving death threats.

Khan said that neither she nor her husband, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, do not intend to walk around with bodyguards. Meanwhile, police spokesperson Paul Browne confirmed that Khan has apprised authorities about the telephonic threats she has received.

Rauf is currently set to become the spiritual leader of the proposed 16-story Islamic center and mosque, which has garnered controversy since the plan was announced.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, religious tolerance and social justice. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in seminary.

Nine years ago, heartbreak struck so many

Family members of Sept. 11th victims recited loved ones' names amid tears during this ninth anniversary of the attacks against the World Trade Center. The event occurred two blocks from where Ground Zero was in Lower Manhattan.

In the wake of the World Trade Center  attack, many faculty members and students from the New York Theological Seminary assisted at the scene, and in support of rescue efforts.

Today, the victims, the rescuers, and everyone touched by those terrible times are in our prayers.

Bloomberg defends Muslim community center near 9/11 site

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg supports a controversial initiative to build a Muslim community center.

Independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg lived up to that reputation as he went against the grain of many detractors in his defense of a proposed Muslim community center to be built near the former Ground Zero site.

A Muslim center is planned in Lower Manhattan.

According to Mayor Bloomberg's friend, Howard J. Rubenstein, a public relations executive, the contention about allowing the construction of a Muslim community center upset the veteran mayor. Facing some very derisive critics about his support for the center, Mayor Bloomberg has become well acquainted with several principals of the center.

The mayor is on the record saying that if anyone wants to build a mosque somewhere in the city where it is zones, and they can raise the money, then they should be able to do it without government interference.

The New York Theological Seminary is a vital force within the city, with a mission to prepare men and women from a great many backgrounds for careers in ministry. NYTS is dedicated to diversity, tolerance and excellence in academic and pastoral preparation for its students.

Dallas News blogger questions planned mosque near Ground Zero

From his religion blog at the Dallas News website, blogger Wayne Slater asks the question: "Is a mosque at Ground Zero religious freedom too far?"

Slater discusses plans for a $100 million mosque to be constructed nearby the scene of the attack, in Lower Manhattan.

Within his post, Slater describes the contour of decisions by U.S. courts to support his editorial, as well as comments from area lawmakers. He also poses questions about religious freedom to religious personalities within his newspaper's home state.

New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to interfaith dialogue. During the 9/11 attacks, NYTS had many students and faculty volunteering in support of rescue efforts at the site of the Twin Towers.