Yesterday I attended the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC. Witnesses provided an update on the World Trade Center Health Program, and first-hand accounts of their treatment for medical conditions as a result of working in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. The subcommittee is evaluating the effectiveness of the program and considering the reauthorization of the Zadroga Act, which expires in 2016.

This Monday, May 25 marks the 146th observance of Memorial Day, where we honor and remember the brave men and women who have lost their lives while serving in our military. Since September 11, 2001, more than 2.5 million service members have been deployed to the Middle East, and thousands have given their lives in the line of duty. Their dedication to serving our country continues to ensure the protection of our freedoms as American citizens, and this weekend is a time to honor their lives and pay tribute to their unwavering commitment.

From Thursday, May 28 through Saturday, May 30, the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City will be hosting a series of special programs for the 9/11 Rescue and Recovery community to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the end of the historic recovery operations at Ground Zero.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Since its opening last May, more than 2 million visitors from all 50 states and from around the world have toured the Museum. We are indebted to so many individuals who worked tirelessly over the years to accomplish a monumental task - preserving a site that is sacred ground to those who lost loved ones, while documenting a tragedy that has individual and international consequences that will reverberate for generations to come.

On this beautiful spring day here in the Northeast, we send sincere Mother's Day wishes to all of you who are mothers, and to those who have taken on the role of a mother to someone special in your life. We know that this day may be challenging for those who have lost a mother or a child, or for those who became a single parent after losing their spouse. Know that all of us at VOICES hold you in our hearts and will be thinking of you as you celebrate the day.

Join us for a spectacular day of golf at a beautiful venue! Those not playing golf are welcome to join us later in the day for the dinner and speaker program. Either way, our committee has planned an intimate "non-corporate" flavor for the event. Funds raised from this event will sustain VOICES commitment to provide services to 9/11 families, responders and survivors.

On April 3, VOICES hosted our annual Resiliency Symposium at Rutgers Livingston Campus Student Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. Over 150 were in attendance, many participating for the first time. We were very fortunate to have accomplished professionals sharing their expertise in the field of trauma.

Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings. We remember the victims, those who were injured or survived and their families who were also impacted on that tragic day. The powerful resilience shown by so many immediately after the event, and two years later, is testimony to the strength of the Boston community - and to the resilience of the human spirit.

All of us at VOICES are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Resiliency Symposium on Friday, April 3rd. If you haven't made a reservation, we have a few additional spaces so it's not too late to register online! For social work professionals who are interested in CEU's, we are pleased to announce that this event has been approved for 5 continuing education hours in both New Jersey and New York State.

It's just one week away from VOICES April 3 Resiliency Symposium, which promises to be an informative day of presentations and interactive educational experiences. Once again, we are honored to have a distinguished group of professionals with expertise in the fields of psychology, research, occupational health, and medicine.