Local leaders blasted Tuesday the decision made by President George Bush's administration to replace its World Trade Center health czar.

Democratic Manhattan-Queens Representative Carolyn Maloney and Democratic Manhattan-Brooklyn Representative Jerrold Nadler joined September 11th responders to protest the firing of Dr. John Howard.

The director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was told last week that he will be replaced when his six-year term expires this coming Monday.

The local representatives demanded that Bush reverse the decision.

"Dr. Howard was, as far as I can tell, the only official in the Bush administration who honestly tried to help the victims," said Nadler.

"[Howard] was effective, he was scientific, he was professional, he had the credentials, he was truly a star,” said Maloney. “And we are outraged that he was dismissed and fired on the eve of July 4th."

Howard was the president's point man on 9/11 health issues, but was often at odds with the White House over monitoring and treatment programs for workers who became ill at the site.