NEW YORK, NY July 08, 2008 —Mayor Michael Bloomberg today joined the chorus of local leaders protesting last week's firing of Washington's point man on World Trade Center health issues.

Bloomberg praised John Howard for having a thorough knowledge of the situation - and for being an advocate for federal funding of screening and treatment programs. And Bloomberg, speaking at Staten Island’s St. George Ferry Terminal, says the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services should not have terminated Howard's position.

BLOOMBERG: I certainly would ask Michael Leavitt re-think this and keep this guy on. He's a breath of fresh air.

REPORTER: Howard has been the head of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the agency that oversees the administration of OSHA. His term expires this year, and the White House has not announced plans to appoint a successor.

Last year, the federal government spent $158 million for 9/11-related health programs locally and nationwide.