Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"9/11 Did Not End That Day"
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 24, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 24, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Ceasar Borja was invited by Senator Hillary Clinton attend last night's State of the Union address in order to highlight the need for more federal government aid to treatment September 11 workers. Borja's father, NYPD officer Ceasar, who volunteered at Ground Zero in 16 hour shifts, had been been waiting for a lung transplant. But a few hours before the State of the Union, 21 year old Borja found out his father had died while having dinner with other State of the Union guests. The Daily News reports what Borja said to his mother:
"He passed away right when I'm down here fighting for him. This is the most I've ever done for Dad. Mommy, you know I'm strong, Mom. You were with him, though, right? Good. That's all that matters to me. Comfortably and no pain... Dad always knew the man I could become, and I love him for that. Dad didn't go down without a fight, Mom. You know that."
Clinton staffers and other Ground Zero victims and family members comforted Borja, who decided to stay and attend the State of the Union. And Senator Ted Kennedy gave one of his State of the Union seats to a Clinton staffer who was comforting Borja.
Officer Ceasar Borja developed pulmonary fibrosis and had been enrolled in the Mount Sinai program that monitors and treats September 11 workers. Money for that program, as well as the one run by the FDNY, will run out soon; Senator Clinton and other officials have asked for President Bush to approve $1.9 billion in funding. During remarks at a Ground press conference on Monday, son Ceasar Borja said, "9/11 is not over. It didn't end in 2001. My father is an extreme example of what can happen and what may and will happen in the future."
Tagged
9/11
bush
Ceasar Borja
clinton
daily news
fdny
government
ground zero
hillary clinton
love
money
mount sinai
news
News: NYC
nypd
president bush
Senator Clinton
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Ted Kennedy
september 11
Ted Kennedy
the future
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .