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Monday, January 14, 2002 8:42 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.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Bellerose, NY
 
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              <text>Saturday, January 19, 2002 5:28 PM
Help all victims of terrorist attack


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.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Los Angeles, CA
 
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:51 AM
Equal rights for all people!!!


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, to demonstrate my 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
Kirkland, WA
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              <text>Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530
On September 11, 2001, our government failed to protect the safety of
American citizens and subsequently attempted to somewhat compensate terror
victims and their families by establishing the Victim's Compensation Fund.
The following comments reflect our dissatisfaction with the Fund as it
stands in January, 2002 and the hope that our thoughts would be incorporated
into the final proposal.
a. Including pensions of the deceased victims as "collateral sources"
against the settlement
    offered would leave most civil servants's families
with little or no wrongful death
    compensation.  Civil servants are typically
on lower wage scales than those in private
    industry, but take pride in fulfilling vital services
to their communities.  As part of their
    overall compensation packages, they work for their
pensions during their active duty so
    that they can rest assured that they and / or their
families will be adequately provided for
    when their active duty ends.  As families /
friends of civil servants we view the inclusion
    of pension benefits as collateral sources as clear
discrimination against blue-collar
    workers.
b. Including life insurance policies as "collateral sources" discriminates
against those who
    thoughtfully and responsibly provided for their
families.
c. Valuing the lives of our loved ones on a demographic chart is an
insult to the dead.
    All human lives are precious and none are worth
more than others, no matter how
    long the deceased lived or what his / her arbitrarily
determined "earnings potential"
    was.
d. Capping emotional pain and suffering at $250,000 is ridiculously
low particularly in
    comparison to court-determined awards in similar
cases.
 
 
We are not seeking funds to replace the lives of our loved ones. We
instead wish the federal government and the airlines to admit their careless
roles in the wrongful death of Americans. We note that our U.S. Constitution
has been violated in numerous ways, most importantly by the fact that our
Congress passed a law reducing the airlines' liabilities after (ex post
facto) the events of September 11, 2001, thus limiting our potential to
gain suitable settlements in traditional court proceedings. Further, we
are discouraged to know that an unelected and unaccountable official will
determine our compensation. We note that Mr. Feinberg has an unsuitable
historical record in similar proceedings such as "Agent Orange" cases in
which he neglected to fairly compensate Vietnam War veterans.
In this horrible time of grief and despair, our government has further
victimized our families by infringing upon our civil rights. The government
and media point to charity to compensate our families, yet fail to realize
that such "awards" are often unequitable, poorly administered, and were
not intended to take the place of negligent or punitive damages. We understand
the long, uphill battle involved in changing a law and do not shy away
from it. However, such proceedings would cause additional and prolonged
pain to our traumatized families. At this time, we simply request that
the Special Master take into account our above comments a-d.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Seaford, NY
 
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              <text>

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 9:41 AM
Compensation for Gay/Lesbian Survivors


I cannot believe this fund will purposefully overlook gay/lesbian survivors
because the state in which they reside may/may not recognize their
relationships.  I for one am very angry over this issue.  I live in a state
(Georgia) that doesn't recognize my relationship with my partner of 20+ years.
If something happened to me in that manner, I would want him to receive the
same compensation as all the other families.

This situation is the very reason I did not contribute to the fund.  As much as
I grieved for everyone, I knew gays/lesbians would be discriminated against.
Therefore, I gave to an organization that would help people like myself.

I'm ashamed of Mr. Feinberg's comments on Meet the Press.  Someone should have
run a plane into him.

Individual Comment
Decatur, Ga
 
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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                <text>no</text>
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                <text>2002-03-13</text>
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              <text>Friday, December 28, 2001 11:23 AM
Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits

December  28, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write 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
State College, Pa

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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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                <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="403090">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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          </element>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="403093">
                <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="403094">
                <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="403095">
                <text>2001-12-28</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
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  </item>
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            <element elementId="50">
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      </elementSetContainer>
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    <itemType itemTypeId="18">
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      <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="403072">
              <text>
Tuesday, December 25, 2001 3:19 PM
immediate family members that aren't nerxt of kin

To Whom It May Concern,

I have two comments to point out:

(1) My father and mother raised my brother (who was a victim of 911) for most 
of his life.  My brother had a wife and 2 kids.  However, it would be unjust, 
in my opinion, if my parents and immediate family members are not awarded a 
non-economic benefit.  Please make sure that they are provided something.  My 
parents, me and my sister will never be able to replace my brother.  My 
parents are most devastated and are barely able to work. My brother would 
have wanted something for his parents.

(2) Deduction of life insurance should not be part of this formula.  My 
brother scraped his nickels and dimes to pay for insurance, and that should 
be his.  Deducting this makes the point of life insurance senseless.

Thank you for taking this opportunity to review my comments, and please reply 
to my email address with your feedback.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
 
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          <elementTextContainer>
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            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
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        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403074">
                <text>dojN000895.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>
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                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="53">
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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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>
              <elementText elementTextId="403077">
                <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="403078">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403079">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403080">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403081">
                <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>
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                <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="403083">
                <text>2001-12-25</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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              <name>Title</name>
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                </elementText>
              </elementTextContainer>
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              <description>An account of the resource</description>
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        <element elementId="65">
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          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="403060">
              <text>

Tuesday, January 22, 2002 6:27 PM
survivor comp.

In reference to survivor attitudes we support the current government level of 
comp. to the immediate family members only.  The survivors should not be 
allowed to sue our government or the airlines.  If the survivors are obsessed 
with a lawsuit, let them sue the terrorists home government.....lawsuits 
against the US and its citizens are not appropriate.


Individual Comment

 
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          <name>September 11 Email: Date</name>
          <description>The local time and date when the message was written.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="403061">
              <text>2002-01-22</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
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        <name>Dublin Core</name>
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        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403062">
                <text>dojN002341.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
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            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="403063">
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              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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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>
          </element>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403066">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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              <text>December 16, 2001&lt;BR


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    

Nashville, TN 

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              <text>

Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:19 PM
Crisis Relief Benefits Distribution


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
Eugene, OR

 
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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              <text>
December 16, 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
Gualala, CA
 
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              <elementText elementTextId="403027">
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                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Posting</name>
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            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403029">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="403030">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
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              </elementText>
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              <text>
Monday, November 26, 2001 3:40 PM
Unmarried partner discrimination

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 for your
consideration of this matter.
 
Individual Comment


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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:39 PM
rights


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.


Individual Comment
topeka, ks 

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December 13, 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
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the inherent worth of all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the
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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
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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
Ann Arbor, MI

 
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December 13, 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 
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having to prove that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
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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
Santa Rosa, CA 




 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 3:06 PM
Crisis Relief Benefits for Surviving Gay and Lesbian Partners


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.

Individual Comment
Champaign, IL 


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              <text>Thursday, December 20, 2001 8:49 AM
fairness action


December  20, 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. Such action is just
and there is precedent. 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
Cherry Hill, NJ
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            <elementText elementTextId="402940">
              <text>


Monday, November 26, 2001 6:11 PM

Do not discriminate against the unmarried partners



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.



It would be a shame to add to grief that so many people are currently
experiencing.



Thank you for your attention to this matter.  



Individual Comment

 
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              <text>2001-11-26</text>
            </elementText>
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            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="402946">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
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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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            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="402950">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="402951">
                <text>2001-11-26</text>
              </elementText>
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          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
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              <text>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
Seattle, WA 
 
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            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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                <text>dojA004671.xml</text>
              </elementText>
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            <elementTextContainer>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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              <text>
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
Kansas City, MO
 
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