WATCH: NYPD Responder Asks Congress for 9/11 Funding on Eve of 69th Chemo Round

Retired NYPD detective Luis Alvarez, a Ground Zero first responder, implored House lawmakers today to reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

But as he told the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, “I should not be here with you, but you made me come, you made me come because I will not stand by while friends with cancer from 9/11 are valued any less.”

Alvarez is scheduled to receive his 69th round of chemotherapy on Wednesday.

“I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to have 68 rounds of chemo, many others haven’t had the opportunity to have five and some have had none,” he said.

Alvarez vowed to ensure that Congress never forgets to take care of the 9/11 first responders. He received a standing ovation from the room packed full of first responders at the conclusion of his testimony.

WATCH: Jon Stewart Assails Congress for ‘Indifference’ on 9/11 First Responder Aid Cuts

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