Jon Stewart paid his final respects to Ground Zero first responder Luis Alvarez, who just days before his death, sitting side-by-side with Stewart, pled with Congress to extend compensation funds for 9/11 victims.
Detective Alvarez’s funeral was held Wednesday in NYC. He died Saturday from complications resulting from the cancer linked to months he spent combing through the rubble at Ground Zero.
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Alvarez, a retired NYPD bomb squad detective, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony on Capitol Hill earlier this month about his 9/11-related health issues and called for Congress to replenish the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund … which is set to expire next year.
Alvarez said it was his goal and legacy to make sure lawmakers do the right thing for all 9/11 responders.
ShutterstockStewart also spoke in front of the committee and made a passionate plea for Congress to approve the extension of the fund, while also chastising members for not making it a priority.
The former ‘Daily Show’ host attended Alvarez’s funeral along with Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney and countless members of law enforcement.
Alvarez was 53.
RIP