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Sunday, March 17, 2002 5:12 PM
Outraged at lack of Equality

I, as a New Yorker, feel particularly strongly about
the pain and suffering caused by 9-11.  It has
thrilled and delighted me to watch the federal
government pull together the Victim Compensation Fund.
 However, How can you sit there, and discriminate
against Americans that are GLBT.  I am crushed to
watch my own country harbor hate and cruelty towards
her children.  That this fund would even Consider not
giving homosexual spouses the same rights as
heterosexual spouses amazes me.  

          
           who helped bring down the flight in
Pennsylvania, NY Fire Dept. 
          
           who died in the line of duty when the first
tower fell, and 
          
           who was 
          
           of
the plane that crashed into the Pentagon were just a
few of the brave heros that managed to protect our
country while being gay.  How can you say they are
less worthy than fetuses and illegal aliens?  
I will be watching to see what the Fund decides to do,
and hope I will once again be able to respect the
great things that this Fund could accomplish.  
Sincerely,

Individual Comment
 
 
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Wednesday, November 28, 2001 10:28 AM
Don't Discriminate Re: Sept 11th Fund

Dear Attorney General Ashcroft,

The deaths on September 11th were the result of an attack on America.
Please do not discriminate against the unmarried partners of September 11th
victims.  All unmarried partners, gay or straight, young and old and their
dependents should be eligible for compensation.

Thank you,

Individual Comment
Dallas, Texas

 
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              <text>Wednesday, March 13, 2002 8:21 AM



PLEASE compensate the families and partners of gays and lesbians lost in the September 11 attacks.  This is the time for America to show it's greatness, not it's narrowminded bigotry.              and others saved and lost their lives.  Do right by them.

Individual Comment

Hinesburg, VT           
 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:32 AM

Equal Access to Relief Benefits


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."
v
Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,


Individual Comment

Cropseyville, NY 




 
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Sunday, March 17, 2002 2:05 AM
ugly discrimination

I am saddened that your rules for the relief fund from the 9/11 nightmare keep gays and lesbians invisible. With all the hatred that slammed American's psyche, I thought perhaps tolerance would be borne of this.

This is wrong. It is discriminatory. It is ugly.  

Individual Comment
Lake Placid NY
 
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December 14, 2001


Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

To Mr. Feinberg:

I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy on September
11th, 
including the children and families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of dollars
per
year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of
the
restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the inherent worth of all
those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a
double
blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money went to
those
who were already well off in the first place.

The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
families. Gay and lesbian families are especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
option of
marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of having to
prove
that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New York have already 
announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The Department of Justice
should
do the same.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you will act on these very
important 
issues.

Sincerely,
     
Individual Comment
Spokane, WA
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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              <text>
Monday, January 07, 2002 7:51 PM
I JUST DON'T BELIEVE IT!

AFTER READING YOUR ARTICLE ON THE WTC VICTIMS RESTITUTION LAWS I JUST HAD TO 
PUT IN MY TWO CENTS. BEING A MOTHER OF TWO MYSELF AND RAISING THEM ALONE INTO 
THE GREAT ADULTS THEY ARE TODAY I TRULY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS EXTREMELY 
LARGE AND UNFOUNDED RESTITUTION AMOUNT FOR THE SURVIVOR OF THE VICTIMS THE 
WTC. I WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY HOW SORRY AND UNBELIEVABLE THIS 
CATASTROPHE IS NOT JUST TO THEM BUT TO ALL AMERICANS AND FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS 
ON THIS EARTH. ALBEIT A GENEROUS OFFER OF SUCH A LARGE SUM OF MONEY FOR THE 
SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS IT SEEMS A BIT OUT OF LINE FOR THE REST OF AMERICA 
THAT LOST SOMEONE IN WW1, WW2, VIET NAM, CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS, HOLOCAUST 
VICTIM SURVIVORS ETC. I JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY AMERICA IS SO RESPONSIBLE 
FOR THE TRAGEDY OF SEPT. 11 SURELY THESE PEOPLE NEED FINANCIAL HELP BUT DOES 
THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS IN THE WTC WARRANT MORE VALUE THEN THE LITTLE 
GIRL THAT WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER? DO THE LIVES OF ALL THE SURVIVORS OF 
FIRES AND EARTHQUAKES, TORNADOES, HURRICANES, FLOODS AND MANY OTHER DISASTERS 
NOT WARRANT SOME FORM OF LIFE LONG FINANCIAL FREEDOM AS THE GOVERNMENT IS 
GIVING TO THE WTC SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS? WHAT ON GODS GREEN EARTH MAKES 
ALL AMERICANS, AMERICANS? WE ARE A NATION OF PRIVILEGE AND PRIDE, A NATION OF 
LOVE AND DEMOCRACY, BUT WE ARE NOT A NATION OF MAKING MILLIONAIRES OUT OF THE 
REMAINING DISASTER SURVIVORS. THE RESTITUTION FOR THE WTC FAMILIES IS WELL 
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY TO ALLOW AMERICANS TO PUT MORE VALUE ON ONE 
DEAD AMERICAN THEN THE OTHER. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION ALL AMERICANS WERE 
CREATED EQUAL, THEN WHY DO THESE PEOPLE DESERVE TO BECOME MILLIONAIRES MORE 
THEN ANY OTHER SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBER OF ANY OTHER DISASTER. YES, THESE 
FAMILIES NEED AND DESERVE HELP BUT DOESN'T ANY AMERICAN UNDER ANY DISASTER 
DESERVE THE SAME RESTITUTION'S? MY TAX DOLLARS DON'T EVEN PUT A DENT IN A 
SODA POP CAN BUT I HAVE TO SAY IF IT IS TO BE DONE FOR ONE IT SHOULD BE DONE 
FOR ALL, OR AREN'T WE STILL AMERICANS, AND AREN'T WE STILL EQUAL?
Individual Comment


 
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="335878">
                <text>yes</text>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 9:23 PM
equal rights/9-11-disaster


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  

As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."



Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 



Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.



Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Winterville GA(Oglethorp Cty) GA
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 3:21 PM
I support equal access for crisis relief benefits


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a New Yorker who is a member of Amnesty International, a
worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic
human rights of people without discrimination.
I support equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief
Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. 
As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human
rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit
arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Individual Comment

Brooklyn, NY 


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                <text>full</text>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="335858">
                <text>no</text>
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      <description/>
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          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="335836">
              <text>Saturday, January 19, 2002 5:30 PM
Help same sex partners of terrorist victims


Dear Mr. Zwick:

The very humane Fund for relatives of victims of the September
11 terrorist attacks must include all relatives of all the
victims.

This importantly should include the partners and children of
same sex unions.  They suffer just as grievously for their
deceased loved ones as do other survivors, and their need for
assistance is just as great.

Please do not give in to the importuning of callous homophobic
groups and individuals who would have the Department of Justice
limit compensation to survivors of heterosexual unions.  They
are interested in a political victory, not humane assistance.

This Fund is intended for humane purposes; it is not a political
statement, Mr. Zwick.

Individual Comment
Miami, FL

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            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
        <description>Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item.</description>
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            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
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                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Consent</name>
            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335841">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335842">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335843">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335844">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335846">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="335847">
                <text>2002-01-19</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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              <name>Title</name>
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              <elementTextContainer>
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      <description/>
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          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
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              <text>
Thursday, January 03, 2002 12:44 PM


Azione urgente da inviare via mail!


Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice

Fax (301) 519-5956
E-mail victimcomp.comments@usdoj.gov

Dear Mr. Zwick,

I am a member of Amnesty International,  a worldwide human rights movement
committed to ensuring that the basic human rights of people are respected
without discrimination.

International human rights standards including the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
prohibit arbitrary discrimination and the US government is obligated to
respect these rights.

We  therefore request that the Justice Department, consistent with such
international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality,
include among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life
partners as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual
orientation or marital status.

We ask the Justice Department to follow the positive example of New York
state in granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual
interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with
the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of
family deserves help in this time of need."

We remind Justice Department officials that real justice is only served when
all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human rights
tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality.

We thank you very much for the attention.

Regards,

Individual Comment
 
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            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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                <text>dojN001295.xml</text>
              </elementText>
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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="335827">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="335830">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335831">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335834">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335835">
                <text>2002-01-03</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
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            <element elementId="50">
              <name>Title</name>
              <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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              <description>An account of the resource</description>
              <elementTextContainer>
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                </elementText>
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      </elementSetContainer>
    </collection>
    <itemType itemTypeId="18">
      <name>September 11 Email</name>
      <description/>
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        <element elementId="65">
          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="335812">
              <text>
Saturday, March 16, 2002 7:16 PM
outraged!

Dear Fund Managers,

I am outraged that gay and lesbian partners of 
those who died on September 11 are not automatically
going to receive the same benefits as heterosexual
spouses. 

Will Heterosexual partners who are not married receive
benefits? Any partner who can prove that they were
indeed the significant other of someone who was
murdered on 9/11 needs to be given compensation. 
Otherwise, perhaps all the gay and lesbian
contributors to 9/11 funds and other supporters will
demand our money back from those funds! I bet the
dollar amount we ask to be returned would be
substantial.  

What is a lesbian or gay spouse left with the kids
supposed to so when the income is sliced in half or
totally wiped out? Who will help the CHILDREN much
less the partner?
I am a Christian pastor and I am outraged and believe
me so is the God I love and serve.

Individual Comment

 
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          <name>September 11 Email: Date</name>
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            <elementText elementTextId="335813">
              <text>2002-03-16</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
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        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335814">
                <text>dojR001191.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
        <description>Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="52">
            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335815">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="53">
            <name>Consent</name>
            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335816">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="54">
            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="335817">
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Monday, March 11, 2002 12:42 PM


Dear Mr. Kenneth Feinberg:
Your appearance and comments regarding compensation to gay victims and their partners from 9/11 has left me with a very sick feeling in the pit of stomach. How dare you consider one's human life to be of a lesser value simply because of their sexual orientation. Shame on you! how could you possibly sleep at night after making such comments? Do you even know any gay people? Perhaps you should expand your awareness and get to know some gay people in your community before you make such ignorant and hateful statements on television again. Shame,Shame,Shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sincerely,
A Concerned and Disgusted P-Flag Parent
Individual Comment 


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Thursday, March 21, 2002 8:27 AM
FW: Change your rules.


Please override state laws and provide benefits for bona fides partners 
of gay and lesbian victims of the attacks on 11 September 2001.  Gay and 
lesbian persons were killed because they are AMERICANS not ALABAMIANS or 
MICHIGANDERS.  To decline to treat them as equals because of some hoary 
idea of state primacy is NOT  what this country is about.  It is rank 
discrimination at its worst; if one were to replace "Jew" or "Black" in 
the policies or discussion where Mr. Feinberg said "gay" or "lesbian" 
one would think he was more friendly with Bull Connor than Martin Luther 
King, Jr.

Stop this obscenity NOW.

Individual Comment
Chatham, NJ
 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:41 PM
Equality &amp; Justice for All


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write first as an American who knows of many who have lost their loved
ones in the tragedy of 9/11, including the hundreds of gay men and women
who have left behind life-partners, people who have participated in the
Democratic process and have contributed significantly to their communities.

I also write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA 

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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:28 PM
Equal treatment for all


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Lexington, MA 




 
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December 15, 2001                            


Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

To Mr. Feinberg:

I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy on September
11th, including the children and families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.  Under
traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of dollars per
year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of
the restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the inherent worth of
all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a
double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money
went to those who were already well off in the first place.

The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
families. Gay and lesbian families are especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
option of marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of
having to prove that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
York have already announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The
Department of Justice should do the same.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you will act on these very
important issues.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Greenfield,MA 
 
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Thursday, November 29, 2001 9:21 AM
Victims Fund for families 9-11

Dear Sirs/Madams:
         I have been notified that you are taking comments regarding this 
topic..... I have been shown a form letter to send to you...... but I am not 
going to......  I would like to write from my heart.......
         I am a lesbian and I am a single mother.  Like so many people who 
will send their coments this would not affect me.  But, for those who will be 
affected, I do ask that you extend the support of OUR country to the FAMILIES 
of gay and lesbian people.  We do pay taxes just like the straight victims of 
the recent tragedy... even more if we are not allowed the 'marriage 
deduction'.  We live our lives as families... we have very little differences 
in our lives from heterosexual people.  We depend on one another ... we have 
children ...  some of us stay home to care for those children ... If there is 
one person who was a co-parent to a child (possibly adopted) and his/her 
partner was a stay at home mom/dad what would this financial aid mean to that 
child?  This is very important... please don't let the morally judging groups 
out there dictate our countries future...  we are real, decent, socially 
viable people who deserve the same rights as our fellow contry men and women. 
 Please, take this chance to stand up for all Americans.....
         Together We Stand.... United Or Not!
                 Please..... begin the journey toward uniting this country 
even further.....
                                         Thank you,


Individual Comment
Deer Park,  TX 

 
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Monday, November 26, 2001 2:30 PM

Public Comment Sept 11th Victim compensation Fund



Kenneth L. Zwick, Director

Office of Management Programs

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Division

Main Building, Room 3140

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530



Dear Sir:



 I am the father of one of the decedents of the 9/11 WTC tragedy and as such would prefer to remain anonymous, at the direction of Sen. Jon Corzines' office, for security reasons.

 In general, it's my belief that the process be simplified, secure and fair, with a painstaking effort to drastically reduce any additional suffering on the part of effected families and or next of kin.



 Topic 231 &amp; 232



1. I will only deal with documentation surrounding physical death as that's what effects me and my family. Documentation here I believe should be fairly simple in the form of a death certificate and certification of estate representative as granted in probate [ if possible].



2. economic loss should be a simple formula that takes into account the
decedents past 12 month earnings and a escalating multiple of those earning going forward to age 65. Keeping in mind the age of death and the earnings norm for that particular position, within the peer group, of that particular industry. In other words earnings capacity should be a formula component along with the lost income component. This is a straight forward calculation.



Concerning the noneconomic component, to attempt to put a Special Master in the role of Salomon and fairly rule on the noneconomic variances in so many cases, without establishing a minimum/maximum noneconomic component dollar range up front is ludicrous. Those dollar amounts should be established from available statistical information on awards granted from previous case settlements involving wrongful death already on the books. Considering the available time, urgency of the matter and need for fairness. To place any individual in the role of trying to decide the noneconomic value of a loved one based upon varying presentation skill levels of advocates is at best
going to generate volumes of public outrage. The dollar amount of this component should be generous but narrow. For example: 40-45 million dollars [ statistical precedent should be used from existing wrongful death awards]



3. Any relief received from charitable sources should not be considered
collateral sources. All compensation received in this matter regardless of source, i.e. insurance, charity, victim compensation fund should have no taxable component.



topic 233



Concerning procedures for hearings and presentations:



 If the calculation of the economic factor is defined and the generous but limited range of noneconomic recovery is stated up front as outlined in my response to topic 232 the need for hearings, witnesses, presentations, documentation, delays, postponements and other time consuming reviews are drastically minimized. The claimant knowing within a narrow margin up front what their proposed settlement will be. Would provide them with the necessary information to decide whether or not to pursue tort action or accept the Special Masters ruling. This would largely illuminate the time consuming argumentative back and forth and prevent any additional unnecessary public and private suffering surrounding this horror.



Topic 234:



 The Special Master should not limit fees charged in connection with
assisting claimants in their filings. For the simple reason that in order to receive professional focus in the private realm. Adequate compensation usually has a direct correlation to quality of services received. However a fee range should be established for services rendered to prevent overcharging. These fees should be paid directly from the Compensation Fund only after an itemized bill is submitted by the professional directly to the Fund and verified by the claimant.



Topic 235



 The Personal Representative as established in probate should be the
appropriate person to file the claim.



topic 236



Nature and amount of compensation is discussed in topic 231 &amp; 232 above



Respectfully,



Grieving Father



individual Comment

 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 9:32 AM
Gay/Lesbian Partners


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I am a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement
committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without
discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September
11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or
marital status.  As you know, the United States has committed to uphold
international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
San Marcos, TX

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