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Jon Stewart's powerful 9/11 monologue from 2001 is going viral again after he slammed Congress for failing to help first responders
John Haltiwanger, Business Insider US
Jon Stewart delivered an emotional monologue on the 9/11 attacks on September 20, 2001.
Jon Stewart slammed Congress on Tuesday for failing to make a fund that provides health care for 9/11 first responders permanent.
Stewart received widespread praise for his impassioned remarks and after people on social media also began sharing his powerful monologue from 2001 in the days following the 9/11 terror attacks.
"The view from south Manhattan is now the Statue of Liberty. You can't beat that," Stewart said while fighting back tears on the first episode of "The Daily Show" after the attacks.
The powerful, emotional monologue Jon Stewart gave on "The Daily Show" in the days following the 9/11 terror attacks was widely shared on social media on Tuesday after he excoriated Congress for failing to ensure first responders have health care.
It was September 20, 2001, and the country – especially New York City – was still in shock over the devastating attacks.
As Stewart began speaking on the first episode of the show since the tragic events of that day, it was apparent he was overwhelmed with emotion.
"They said to get back to work," Stewart said. "And there were no jobs for a man in the fetal position, under his desk crying, which I gladly would've taken. So, I come back here."
Read more: Jon Stewart and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez excoriate Congress for refusing to fund healthcare for 9/11 first responders
Over the course of nearly nine minutes, Stewart fought back tears as he explained why he did not give into despair after the attacks.
"The view from my apartment was the World Trade Center," he said. "Now, it's gone. And, they attacked it. This symbol of American ingenuity and strength and labor and imagination and commerce. And, it is gone. But, do you know what the view is now? The Statue of Liberty. The view from south Manhattan is now the Statue of Liberty. You can't beat that."
Roughly 18 years later, Stewart on Tuesday appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to slam congressional lawmakers for not making the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund permanent, an issue he's been championing for years.
The fund helps provide health care for 9/11 first responders who continue to have health problems linked to toxic chemicals they inhaled while working at Ground Zero.
"Sick and dying, they brought themselves down here to speak to no one. Shameful. It's an embarrassment to the country, and it is a stain on this institution," Stewart said as he addressed lawmakers while first responders sat behind him. "And you should be ashamed of yourselves for those that aren't here, but you won't be. Because accountability doesn't appear to be something that occurs in this chamber."
Stewart received a standing ovation for his impassioned remarks, and not long after people began posting his monologue from 2001 on Twitter.
September 11th attacks