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Tuesday, December 04, 2001 3:03 PM
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Dear Mr. Zwick:

I am writing in response to the Department's request
for public comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for
implementing and administering the "September 11 Victim
Compensation Fund." I strongly urge the Department to draft regulations
that ensure compensation is available to all victims of the
attack, including the committed partners and the non-biological children
of gay and lesbian victims.

It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and
economic losses suffered by the families of gay and lesbian
victims are no less than that of other families.  Just as the
terrorists drew no lines in choosing their victims, our country
must draw no lines in compensating those who suffered the most
personal of losses from these horrific attacks.

Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each
of whom left behind loved ones.  I urge the Department to
honor these bonds by treating the families of gay and lesbian
victims as you would any other.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Roxbury, MA

 
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Thursday, March 21, 2002 10:06 PM
GAY BENEFITS


Please help those gays and lesbians who were affected by the horrible 
events.  They are humans and deserve the help just as any other people do.  
I contributed to that fund and would be VERY angry if it went to "certain" 
people only.

Individual Comment

 
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December 18, 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
Lockport, IL
 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 3:24 PM
Help Stop the Suffering


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

Willowick, OH 


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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:09 PM
Fair 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
Whitehall, PA


 
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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 
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 
Centralia, IL 


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Tuesday, March 12, 2002 9:42 AM
gay rights for 9/11


i think it is the most discriminating, demeaning, and selfish act by not granting the same benefits to gay and lesbian victims as illegal aliens who are not even United States citizens.  What message is america sending when we will take care of others but not take care of our own. the loss of the gay/lesbian partners are just as great as any of the other families suffered.  We need to treat them with the same respect and compassion as the other victims.  Something needs to be done about this.  This was not public knowledge when millions of dollars were being donated.  The public was told that the money would go to all of the victims families.  I didn't think to ask what the definition of family was according to the government.

Individual Comment 

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Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:27 AM
Let compassion rule...


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.  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
Jacksonville, FL
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 10:42 AM
Equal Access to 9/11 Victims Relief Fund


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
Atlanta, GA 

 
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Saturday, December 29, 2001 1:22 PM
Equal Relief


December  29, 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
Golden, CO


 
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              <elementText elementTextId="393202">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            </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="393206">
                <text>no</text>
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            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="393207">
                <text>2001-12-29</text>
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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
Lafayette, CA

 
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              <elementText elementTextId="393187">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Consent</name>
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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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              <text>

Friday, December 21, 2001 6:30 AM
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

 
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              <text>2001-12-21</text>
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Friday, December 21, 2001 6:40 AM
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
Austin, TX  

 
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Tuesday, December 11, 2001 11:46 AM
Re: Victim Compensation Fund

Attn:  Kenneth L. Zwick
       Director Office of Management Programs
       Civil Division
       U.S. Department of Justice

Dear Mr. Zwick:

I am writing in response to the Department's request for public comments
regarding the forthcoming regulations for implementing and administering
the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund." I strongly urge the Department 
to draft regulations that ensure compensation is available to all victims of 
the attack, including the committed partners and the non-biological children 
of gay and lesbian victims.

It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and economic losses
suffered by the families of gay and lesbian victims are no less than that of 
other families. Just as the terrorists drew no lines in choosing their 
victims, our country must draw no lines in compensating those who suffered 
the most personal of losses from these horrific attacks.

Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each of whom left
behind loved ones. I urge the Department to honor these bonds by treating 
the families of gay and lesbian victims as you would any other.

Sincerely,


Individual Comment
Takoma Park, MD
 
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              <text>Tuesday, November 06, 2001 1:23 PM
Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking - September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001

Kenneth L. Zwick, Esq., Director

Office of Management Programs 

Civil Division 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Main Building, Room 3140 

950 Pennsylvania Avenue 

Washington, DC 20530 

  

Sir: 

  

This office is counsel to the survivors of             and            , both of whom were employed at the World Trade Center and killed in the tragedy of September 11. 

  

We respectfully write in response to the above-captioned notice of inquiry with respect to proposed regulations under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, P.L. 107-42, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (115 Stat. 237 et seq., the "Act"). 

  

You will receive numerous comments in response to your request, and in the interest of space, will limit our comments to two areas of inquiry: "collateral sources" (Act § 402[4]) and the "personal representative" of a deceased victim (Act § 405[c][2][C]). We have previously communicated with the Attorney General regarding these matters and are pleased to clarify our position in this comment. 

  

Collateral Sources 

  

We understand that reasonable people of goodwill may differ over the policy of whether amounts received by victims or their families from public and private charity should be considered "collateral sources" for purposes of being offset against Title IV benefits.  For a variety of reasons, we urge that only amounts received by or on behalf of a victim under a claim of right should constitute a "collateral source."  The use of such a bright-line test is not only appropriate under the circumstances but also necessary given the difficulties of administration of the fund and of processing a large number of claims within a short time period.  The application of the position we urge would lead to the inclusion of all life insurance, workers' compensation and state victim-compensation sources, but to the exclusion of substantially all other funds received by victims.  We do not believe that Congress intended to discourage private charity or assistance to victims by requiring that such sources be applied to reduce federal victims' compensation, and the limited legislative history of the Act suggests no such policy.  Quite to the contrary, the multitude of tax-relief and other actions taken by Congress suggests that victims should be entitled to cumulative benefits from a variety of sources.  In states which have adopted a collateral-source offset rule, charitable benefits received by the plaintiff are routinely not included. For example, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-225b provides, in pertinent part: "Collateral sources" means any payments made to the claimant, or on his behalf, by or pursuant to: (1) Any health or sickness insurance, automobile accident insurance that provides health benefits, and any other similar insurance benefits, except life insurance benefits available to the claimant, whether purchased by him or provided by others; or (2) any contract or agreement of any group, organization, partnership or corporation to provide, pay for or reimburse the costs of hospital, medical, dental or other health care services."  The definition of "collateral source" in the Act includes certain sources, such as life insurance and pension benefits, excluded by conventional state statute, but there is no evidence of legislative intend to expand the ambit of such sources any further; we presume, as we urge you, that Congress was familiar with such state-law principles and intended to concept of "collateral sources" to be applied consistently with its plain, everyday meaning.  The use of the word "compensation" in the Act is strongly suggestive that voluntary payments by third parties should be required to be excluded. Finally, the application of any other rule leads to absurd results.  If benefits received from public charities are deemed "collateral sources," then there is no reason not to include beneficences from friends and neighbors, free meals and shelter, mortgage payment indulgences or even the fair market value of pro bono or reduced-rate services from attorneys and accountants.  Such a reductio ad absurdum analysis leads to the conclusion that charitable funds of all kinds should not be considered "collateral sources."  For these reasons, we believe that a narrow construction of "collateral sources" is appropriate and comports most closely with the intention of Congress in enacting the Act. 

  

Personal Representative 

  

"Personal representative" is a term of art in estate practice but undefined in the Act; the use of this term  leads to the result that Congress may have unintentionally excluded the surviving spouse, next of kin, heirs at law and other dependents of the deceased from having standing to assert a direct claim under the Act unless that person is also the "personal representative" appointed by a probate or surrogate's court with respect to the estate of the decedent.  As a result, impecunious claimants may be required to commence expensive and time-consuming state probate proceedings in order to obtain the appointment of an executor or administrator, even if there are no probate assets.  Moreover, the executor or administrator may have dispositive obligations under a will or trust which differ from the conventional distribution scheme assumed in wrongful death litigation.  This cannot be an intended result and should be cured through regulation.  For this reason, we urge that the "personal representative" of a deceased claimant be defined through regulation to include a claimant who would otherwise be entitled to seek a survivor's benefit under state law.  Disputes regarding the entitlement of any particular claimant to serve as "personal representative" must be resolved by resort to the state law of the decedent's domicile, but state-court proceedings which have resulted in the final determination of any such matter should be accorded deference.  The Special Master must be empowered to resolve not only such differences but also the claims of multiple claimants with respect to any single victim, regardless of the nature of the claim.  Otherwise, the expeditious and inexpensive claims system contemplated by Congress would be easily thwarted through the threat of, or required resort to, ancillary judicial proceedings. 

  

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. 

  

Very truly yours,
  
Law offices of Hilary B. Miller, Esq.
Greenwich, CT
 
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Friday, December 14, 2001 9:46 PM
Equitable Victim Compensation

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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Saturday, March 23, 2002 4:03 PM
Benefits for gay partners

I thought you needed to know that partners in gay 
relationships need benefits as badly as any who have the 
opportunity to have a wedding. Their loved ones support 
will be just as missed, and they have been hurt just as 
badly. Somehow gay people are always treated as though 
they are the "untouchables" - the lowest of the low. 
Human dignity requires that all people be given the same 
respect.
Individual Comment
 
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Wednesday, Novermber 07, 2001 1:46 PM
Comments on the Fund

The application process should be kept as simple as possible. In order to apply for compensation:

* the Victims name, D.O.B., Social Security Number, and last known address must be provided by the claimant

* A copy of the certified death certificate or the hospital injury report should be provided as proof of loss or injury

*If the victim was employed at the WTC, Pentagon, or as a crew member of the an airliner: a notarized letter from the victims employer should be provided. This letter should include the victims dates of employment, capacity of employment, and whether or not the victim was known to be working on the day of the attack. (A standardized form could be provided to claimants by the DOJ in lieu of a letter)

*If the victim was a passenger on one of the four aircraft:  Airline name, Flight Number, and a notorized letter (or form as mentioned above) signed by an airline representative should be submitted

Compensation should be reduced by any medical insurance benefits (for injuries) and by any life insurance policies (in cases of death). The program should be implemented in a way that helps families pay expenses--funerals, doctor bills not covered by other insurance, lost wages (for a limited period of time), etc...It should not be designed as the sole source of support for each family--it should help get them back on their feet. Some of the fund should be set aside to help pay future college expenses (say 50% of expenses) in cases where children lost a parent and could also offer to send a surviving parent to college (in situations where one parent stayed at home and has no formal training or degree). In order to apply for future college funds, applicants would have to apply now---number of children applying for and their ages. The money could then be set aside now and given later.

I do not think the fund should cover any attorney fees nor should the amount of compensation be reduced by charitable gifts. Tracing charitable gift amounts would be too difficult and time consuming and attorneys would charge their clients exorbitant fees to cash in.

This process can be quite simple. Just keep the breaucracy out and think simple.If you make it complicated it will only serve to upset families even more.

Individual Comment
Cordova, TN
 
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              <text>

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 
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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                  <text>Department of Justice Emails</text>
                </elementText>
              </elementTextContainer>
            </element>
            <element elementId="41">
              <name>Description</name>
              <description>An account of the resource</description>
              <elementTextContainer>
                <elementText elementTextId="264507">
                  <text>The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families.  These e-mails have been organized here by date.</text>
                </elementText>
              </elementTextContainer>
            </element>
          </elementContainer>
        </elementSet>
      </elementSetContainer>
    </collection>
    <itemType itemTypeId="18">
      <name>September 11 Email</name>
      <description/>
      <elementContainer>
        <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="393076">
              <text>

December 15, 2001

Fair Treatment for the families of the Victims of September 11th

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

I have learned that under traditional rules, compensation is based on income, so that 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.  This is outrageous.  Please dispense compensation in such a way that the families of low wage earners receive at least as much as wealthy families.

Please also recognize the partners and families of gay and lesbian victims as legitimate family, deserving of as much compensation as people whose relationships are recognized and sanctioned officially.  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,

Individual Comment
Eglin, IL
 
</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
        </element>
        <element elementId="66">
          <name>September 11 Email: Date</name>
          <description>The local time and date when the message was written.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="393077">
              <text>2001-12-15</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
        </element>
      </elementContainer>
    </itemType>
    <elementSetContainer>
      <elementSet elementSetId="1">
        <name>Dublin Core</name>
        <description>The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="393078">
                <text>dojA005211.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="393079">
                <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="393080">
                <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="393081">
                <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="393082">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="393083">
                <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="393084">
                <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="393085">
                <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="393086">
                <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="393087">
                <text>2001-12-15</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
    </elementSetContainer>
  </item>
</itemContainer>
