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Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders
On Friday, Jon Stewart announced he will return to host the First Responders Children's Foundation's Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in New York's Times Square on Oct. 28 to commemorate National First Responders Day.
Stewart's advocacy began following the 2001 terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, leading to intense Congressional testimony in 2019 to ensure the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund remained funded.
"These aren't the X-Men," Stewart told The Associated Press, describing first responders as ordinary people who made a decision to be there for others in their worst moments.
Foundation President and CEO Jillian Crane called Stewart the "perfect host" for this annual event, citing his advocacy for first responders battling 9/11-related illnesses as uniquely suited to the role.
Beyond his 9/11 work, Stewart pushed to eliminate loopholes in the PACT Act that left Afghanistan War troops without medical coverage, viewing active involvement as an antidote to helplessness.