600 20 70359 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 3:26 PM Support Equal Access 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 Lexington, MA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA003465.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Friday, January 04, 2002 5:40 AM Comments It is highly disturbing to know that as Survivors of the 09/11/01 World Trade Center Attack, financial assistance is given to survivors of the victims, and to survivors who have sustained physical injuries and is not given to us. I write on behalf of all these individuals who have survived the WTC attack without any physical injuries, but whose lives have not been the same since that tragic day. Do survivors have to sustain physical injuries to be compensated? Is our Federal Government not taking into account the emotional and psychological injuries that survivors have sustained and will have to live with for the rest of their lives. As a nation, we have all suffered, but the ones who continue to suffer are the ones who survived the attacks on the United States of America, those who were in both One and Two WTC, and those in the Pentagon; these are the ones who live each day in fear of the unknown. I am not attempting to lessen the pain and grief experienced by families, due to the loss of loved ones, and also thousands of lives that day; the point I am making is that thousands more who survived the attacks relive this event in some way each day. Are these individuals not entitled to restitution for our Federal Government? Do we have to be scarred, wounded, or pronounced dead to be restituted? The airline industry has been promised, and have received billions of dollars which will bail them out of Chapter 11, instead of this occurring, why did they not take the initial steps to put safety first. They are the ones whose product and service was used against us; but, it is o'kay to pour billions of dollars into that industry to "keep it afloat". It seems our priorities are not in order. It seems that the loss of lives, the massive amounts of physical injuries, and the countless survivors who continue to experience emotional and psychological trauma is less important. All victims and survivors should be compensated by our Federal Government. There should not be any discrimination in who should be restituted and who should not. Monetary compensation is the lest form of restitution for such a horrific act. Think about the thousands of survivors who find it difficult to exist from day to day due to the ghastly and horrible images implanted in their minds. Think about the thousands who barely escaped with their lives before both buildings crumbled. Think about the thousands who walked down 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, and 50 flights of stairs to get to safety. Does this not call for some form of restitution. There are stories of many of my workers, and countless others, including myself, who barely escaped with out lives. Think about the people walking along the stairways or in the elevators, in both one and two WTC who when both planes hit the building at different intervals, witnessed their fellow co-workers or a stranger instantly killed by such brutal force, but they were spared, however, they must live with this image in their minds. Think of the ones who barely escaped with their lives out of one and two WTC, and in their attempt to look back, saw people jumping from top floors. These are images implanted in our minds, which will be there until death. Our politicians can sit back and make decisions as to who should be compensated and who should not, it is much easier for them to depersonalize themselves from the events that occurred on 9/11/01; it is not easy for us to do so. Thus, the Federal Government should reevaluate the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund of 2001 and restitute all survivors who were present in both one and two WTC buildings and at the Pentagon on 09/11/2001. Sincerely, Individual Comment Survivor Two WTC 9/11/01 Attack September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-04 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojN001332.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-01-04 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 10:13 AM Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefitsd 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 Westbury, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002946.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Thursday, December 06, 2001 12:42 PM 911 Compensation Fund Dear Mr.Zwick, I strongly urge the drafting of regulations for implementing the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund that will provide benefits for ALL survivors of victims, including committed gay partners and adopted children of gay partners. Their loss is just as great. Sincerely, Individual Comment New York, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-06 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA001165.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-06 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, March 19, 2002 9:37 AM 911 Fund compensation disbursements TO: Staff of 9-11 Victims Compensation Fund.. I sent a message to your fund last fall urging that compensation money be made available to gay and lesbian partners of 9-11 casualties. I also contributed to the fund. I am unhappy to learn that the top management of your fund is making public statements indicating the fund will be guided by various state-level laws regarding eligibility and determinations of "next of kin." I do not understand why a federal agency would choose to follow the archaic and inequitable anti-gay provisions found in most state laws. If you are confused or unsure, then ask Congress for specific guidance. I am urging my congressional representatives to enact whatever law is needed to make sure that domestic partners of 9-11 victims receive fair treatment, regardless of their sexual orientation, marital status, etc. There are many methods the Fund could use to determine that Partner X was a committed life partner of Victim Z - for example, if X is named as the main beneficiary in Z's will, life insurance or bank account, that should be construed as evidence of being "next of kin." If X has shared a postal address or telephone number with Z for at least a year, that also, should be considered evidence of cohabitation and "next of kin" status. Far too often, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people are shunned by their biological relatives for many years --- until death occurs. Then the "bereaved" rush forward to collect the assets left behind by the person they more or less disowned in life. The 9-11 events should reinforce our commitment to freedom and justice. Please don't perpetuate and expand the prejudice found in our Social Security system and many other aspects of U.S. government. Please don't dishonor the memory of , and the scores of other less well-known GLBT people who died on that day. Individual Comment Daytona Beach, Florida September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojR002047.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, March 18, 2002 9:58 AM compensating victims of 9/11 To Whom it May Concern: The thought that the gay and lesbian partners of the victims and fallen heroes of September 11th may not receive the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts is absolutely inexcusible. There is no way to justify such callous cruelty, when we are all supposed to have come away from this tragedy with a message of American unity. Why create an entire class of people who will be justified in feeling that they are not entitled to the same rights as other Americans- in fact, not entitled to the same rights as illegal aliens? There is no right answer to this question, other than that gay and lesbian people deserve the same compensation as everyone else. Sincerely, Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-18 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001715.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-18 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Thursday, December 20, 2001 7:20 PM Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits for Surviving Homosexual Partners 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 Plano, TX September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-20 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojN000087.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-20 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:14 PM Equal Access to 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. Sincerely, Individual Comment San Francisco, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA003377.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Thursday, November 08, 2001 12:44 PM Comment In terms of the collateral sources issue and new regulations that define what will be considered, the survivors of the victims who had life insurance should not be penalized because their loved ones had that foresight. To do so makes a mockery of their concern for the financial well-being of their survivors. Please exclude or discount the consideration of life insurance as a collateral source. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-08 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojW000241.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-08 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, January 22, 2002 5:56 PM victim compensation fund I'm sorry, I can't see why the US government is setting a precendent like this - why are we paying the families of these tragic victims again? I sent money to the Red Cross, so I understand that the families need help in coping with this horrible situation. But for the government to step in and indemnify life like this seems very dangerous. Who do I call if my husband is killed in an automobile accident? What is the difference between his sudden demise and the death of 2889 people at the WTC? I mean, is the government admitting some kind of wrongdoing by providing funding for these people? And to the people who are crying that it isn't enough to compensate for the loss of Tommy or daddy or whoever - they are right. There will never be enough money minted to compensate for that loss. Thank you for the opportunity to say my piece. Individual Comment Worton, MD September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-22 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojN002323.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-01-22 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Page 1 of 1 Feel free to use the letter provided below, or express your thoughts in your own words. Thank you. January 9, 2001 To Out Elected Officials: In the immediate aftermath of the tragic attack of The United States, on September 11, Congress enacted the Victims" Compensation Fund of 2001 P.L.107-42, to compensate the relatives of the victims of that brutal attack. As you know, this Fund was enacted as part of a comprehensive package which bailed out the airline industry and imposed restrictions of the rights of the victims" relatives to recover damages from court. We implore upon you, as our elected officials, to demand changes to the interim rules issued by Kenneth Feinberg, the Special Master. As it stands, Mr. Feinberg's self-imposed rules fail to satisfy the letter or the spirit of the legislation, which was enacted. Specifically, we request that you act on our behalf and demand the following changes to the interim rules: 1. Remove arbitrary income limits. The arbitrary income limits imposed by the Special Master are not only unfair but also inconsistent with the letter and the spirit of the law. Those victims from the financial industry are specifically harmed by this limit. They were targeted and murdered precisely because of the jobs they held and where they worked-the World Trade Center, the financial capital of the world, the embodiment of financial success. Those who achieved such success should see that reflected in their awards. They personified American Business and commerce, democracy and freedom. We ask that you demand that Mr. Feinberg lift the arbitrary income limits so that each family can be treated fairly; commensurate with the support they provided their families before their death. 2. Increase non-economic rewards. Mr. Feinberg has arbitrarily restricted the non-economic awards for pain and suffering, no matter what the extent of the pain and suffering. This is unacceptable. In the words of Congressman Peter King, "Severy death is tragic. A murder is particularly tragic. But to have your love one murdered in a burning building in full view of the world - in a scene which will be repeated in the media for decades to come - is a horror these families will never escape fromSThe Special Master cannot take it upon himself to restrict the rights of the families." Therefore, we request that the interim rules be amended to more appropriately compensate the victims' families' for the immeasurable pain and suffering endured by our loved ones. As Mayor Giuliani stated in his farewell address: "we have an obligation to the people who did dieSTheir families need to be protected just as it they had been alive, financially and every other way that we can help and assist their familiesSThere should be no compromise about that everS" We request that the interim rules be amended and that compensation for pain and suffering more accurately reflect that horror which was suffered. Justice demands no less. Sincerely, Individual Comment - Widow of Huntington NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-01-09 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojN002669.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-01-09 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, January 22, 2002 12:30 PM Victims Compensation Fund I believe the entire country feels an overwhelming sympathy for the families of this tragedy and with good intentions rallied behind the fund raising events to compensate them in some fashion. No one could have predicted the money contributed would be such a huge sum or that it would turn into such a nightmare for any organization to handle. So some amount of chaos and confusion is understandable. However, as an observer from Oklahoma where until 9-11 we were the site of the largest act of terror ( at a Federal building no less) and not one family received a penny of monetary assistance from any charity funds to ease the financial burden of losing an income earner in a split second, I am wondering if some kind of monster has been created. I have no argument about helping the families with funeral expenses and other non-routine expenses that have occurred due to this tragedy; or even paying routine living expenses until social security benefits or life insurance compensation arrives. However, I resent any attitude of "entitlement" to hundreds of thousands of dollars per family because they have suffered a loss in a violent and very public fashion. That a mother of three young children, who will very likely receive a large life insurance reward and will receive social security death benefits on all the children until they turn 18 should think that she should not have to go to work at some point is expecting nothing short of "welfare" disguised as a charity fund. People who are the victims of vicious acts of violence by mentally ill people are not entitled to become instant millionaires simply because they are also victims of world-wide sympathy. Every day there is a child who has become motherless or fatherless due to a cruel twist of fate; that child and surviving parent feels no less grief nor suffers any less financial burden yet they have to find a way, often totally on their own, to go on with life. Also, when the next terrorist act occurs, and if there are hundreds of victims, will America think those families should receive a monetary sympathy reward in equal value to the WTC fund? I don't mean to sound callous to any of the families but there has to be an equitable, fair way to help them without turning it into an arena of fighting over millions of dollars not because they actually "need" it but simply because it is there. Thank you for allowing such input.......... Individual Comment Seminole, Oklahoma September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-22 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojN002250.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-01-22 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, December 17, 2001 10:16 PM compassionate distribution of funds Dear Mr. Feinberg: A shocked and horrified public was gratified by the government's prompt creation of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Those who know of your history of conscientious and fair-minded work were further gratified by your appointment as Special Master overseeing the program. All victims of the terrorists' crimes deserve care, support, and compensation; but I write from special concern for catagories of victims who are especially vulnerable and in need. The neediest victims, and especially the children, should be our first concern; and aid should not be proportional to salary differentials of the deceased. The children are equal in their need for food, medicine, and shelter. The fund that you administer should not be allowed to follow the Republican tax legislation, an instrument to comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted. The poorest of the victims, such as the waiters and cleaning workers, leave behind the families least able to care for themselves. Many of these had been supporting even poorer relatives in other countries in the Americas. Further, gay and lesbian couples separated by death on the 11th were prevented by law from having the insurance or other protection available to married couples. The New York City and the State of New York have indicated that they would not discriminate against gays and lesbians, and it is hoped that the federal government will join them in compassionate fair-mindedness. What I have heard of you leads me to thoroughly trust your inclinations. I hope they are not thwarted by directives from the Attorney General in these very difficult times, in which our governmental actions define us as a nation and as a people. As a citizen, I send you my gratitude and best wishes. Individual Comment Copake Falls, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-17 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002147.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-17 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. December 5, 2001 Kenneth L. Zwick, Director Office of Management Programs, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice by fax (301) 519-5956 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 lost their lives on September 11, and each one who died left behind loved ones. All of these families are suffering, and our nation should offer what comfort we can to them. I urge the Department to treat the families of gay and lesbian victims as you would any other. To do so would be in the finest tradition of fairness and justice to which our nation aspires. Sincerely, Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA001412.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. To: Kenneth L. Zwick, Director, Office of Management Programs, Civil Division, U.S. Dept . of Justice Re: Comments in Response to DOJ Notice of Inquiry Regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund We welcome this opportunity to comment on the new federal compensation program to assist victims of the September 11 attacks and their families, many of whom already are receiving assistance from our member programs. The new program operated by the Department of Justice promises to provide extensive benefits to victims and their families - in most cases to a far greater degree than the states are authorized to offer. We hope our comments serve to facilitate the operation of a program that works fairly and expeditiously to assist victims and their families in their recovery from the tragedies of September 11. The membership of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards comprises victim compensation programs in all 50 states, D.C., and the territories. Each of these programs has from 10 - 35 years of experience in providing financial assistance to victims of violent crime. We believe that the states' experience in running victim compensation programs will be of value to DOJ, but we also recognize that there are substantial differences in how the states' programs and that of the federal government are constructed. In many respects, the DOJ program is unprecedented, and new issues are under consideration that require wise policy choices. We urge DOJ to finish its rule-writing process and begin accepting applications without delay. States directly involved in assisting 9/11-attack victims/families report that many people need help as soon as possible. There is every reason to move quickly to promulgate rules that clearly define requirements, procedures, and benefits, as well as to staff a program that can provide appropriate assistance to victims in filing and perfecting claims. Relationship of State Compensation Programs to DOJ 9/11 Program We first wish to emphasize that the antiterrorism legislation adopted this October places the DOJ program with the primary responsibility for assisting victims of the September 11 attacks. We call your attention to 42 U.S.C. 10602(e), as amended in October, which spells out that state compensation programs "shall not pay" benefits when a victim could have those benefits paid by either the DOJ program or by the states. While state compensation programs will continue to help victims and their families until the DOJ program begins paying benefits, the law clearly requires DOJ to take this responsibility from the states. The provision is particularly strong: It directs that when an individual victim is eligible for a benefit from the DOJ 9/11 compensation program as well as a state compensation program, the state compensation program "shall not pay" that benefit, and the DOJ compensation program shall pay that benefit without regard to the existence of the state compensation program. It reads as follows: "(e) Relationship to certain Federal programs- Notwithstanding any other law, if the compensation paid by an eligible crime victim compensation program [this refers to state compensation programs] would cover costs that a Federal program, including the program established under title IV of Public Law 107-42 [the Federal 9/11 compensation program]. or a Federally financed State or local program, would otherwise pay-- (1) such crime victim compensation program shall not pay that compensation; and (2) the other program shall make its payments without regard to the existence of the crime victim compensation program." Since the states already have paid and will continue to pay claims filed with them for compensation from the victims and families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks, the real question is whether the federal compensation program can reimburse the states for payments already made, or payments that may continue to be made while the victims'/families' claims are pending with the federal compensation program. We believe that the law would require such reimbursement -- that this is a fair reading of the relationship between the state and federal compensation programs, as determined by the Congress as recently as October of this year. State victim compensation programs heavily involved in providing financial assistance to victims and family survivors of those killed in the September 11 attacks are New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California (which extends eligibility to California residents who are family members of those killed in the attacks.) These programs can provide the DOJ program with information concerning payments made, so that DOJ can reimburse states. Other Key Points We also wish to emphasize these other key points as DOJ works to develop a program that operates efficiently and effectively on behalf of the victims and their families. Assistance to Victims. Because of the variety and complexity of the benefits available to victims and their families, the DOJ program needs to provide clear and sufficient information for filing, as well as a maximal amount of assistance throughout the documentation and claims-analysis process. This should be a non-adversarial process, as it is in state-compensation-program practice, with the objective to ensure that all claimants avail themselves of the opportunity for as many benefits as are offered. Chiefly an application form and accompany brochure should list all available benefits so as to prompt victims to consider applying for them, and DOJ claims analysts should maintain contact with applicants to answer questions, provide information, and elicit needed documentation. Eligible Applicants and Beneficiaries. We urge DOJ to consider an application process that allows all potential beneficiaries to assert claims. While the statute speaks to one filing per death claim from one personal representative, we believe that this can be interpreted to mean that multiple applications deriving eligibility from one deceased victim could be consolidated into one "filing." While practically speaking, most families will file only one application through a recognized representative, we do not believe that one personal representative needs to be burdened with the coordination of all family members' interests into one application, particularly when those families may not be cooperative, or may have differing approaches to the question of litigation vs. applying to the DOJ program. It could be far simpler to allow more than one "personal representative" to file, because DOJ could coordinate benefits so that they would not be duplicative. Benefits could be paid as appropriate to or on behalf of different family members deriving eligibility from one death, as is done by state compensation programs. (State compensation programs may issue multiple checks on one filing, to hospitals, funeral homes, and individual dependents, for example.) Hearings. We urge DOJ to develop one level of appeal within the program following eligibility decisions. If this is done, then it may not be necessary to hold a hearing in every case prior to decision making. However, absent an appeal process, a hearing should be scheduled in every case. Hearings should be informal in nature, with a goal of helping applicants perfect their claims, rather than being an adversarial process. Collateral Resources. We have described already the federal law regarding the relationship of state-victim-compensation payments to the DOJ program. With regard to other governmental benefits, such as workers compensation, Social Security, and the like, as well as private-employer medical insurance and disability and death benefits, it should be possible to ascertain readily what is paid and available to victims and families, and to reduce DOJ program benefits accordingly. However, we note that state victim compensation programs generally do not record charitable contributions to victims as collateral resources. In part, this is an approach taken for practical administrative reasons: it often is difficult to verity whether a donation has been received by a family and in what amount, as well as to determine what expense it was intended to pay. For this reason, we recommend that DOJ disregard charitable contributions paid to victims, or at least to disregard a certain threshold limit. Some states also do this with regard to life insurance payments. In the remainder of our comments, we follow the outline set forth in the Department's Inquiry dated November 1. Topics #1 & 2: Application Forms and Filing a. Application Forms. Application forms currently in use by state crime victim compensation programs can be obtained by going to this Association's web site, nacvcb.org, clicking on the Program Directory, and linking to each state's web site. However, the Association recommends that shortened claim forms are more appropriate for mass-violence crimes, such as the 9/11 attacks, where victimizations share common elements (a multitude of victims of the same event do not need to describe the crime, for instance). As one example, New York's Crime Victims Board has special forms and instructions for World Trade Center victims at www.cvb.state.ny.us. DOJ notes that the statutory requirements for information from the claimant regarding (1) proof of physical harm or death, (2) losses suffered, and (3) collateral resources appear to contemplate a detailed form and filling. While gathering sufficient detail is important, state compensation programs have found that appropriate form design, emphasizing clarity and simplicity, need not result in a lengthy or complicated application. Since standard practice among compensation programs is to verify directly from source documents, such as medical records and billing, any key information regarding the claim, the application itself does not need to require a great deal of verbiage from the victim. The goal should be getting sufficient information so that appropriate documents can be identified and either provided or located for verification, rather than requiring the victim to repeat on the form the information that will be provided by those documents. For this reason, among the most important elements of the application form is an authorization from the victim for the release of information, such as medical records, so that DOJ investigators can obtain documentation directly from hospitals and employers. We note also that such a release could allow state compensation programs to provide information to DOJ on claims filed by, and benefits paid to, individuals who may file with the DOJ program. Rather than require the victim to describe the crime, the form should focus on obtaining information on the victim's location and relationship to the crime scene. For injured victims, a description of injuries sustained is essential, as well as a listing of where treatment was received. Names and addresses of service providers, employers, and insurance companies are essential. DOJ rules should ensure that providing the victim's and claimant's Social Security numbers is mandatory, since it facilitates identification needs in many respects. It may be useful to get an alternative address/contact information, since it is not uncommon for victims to move without notifying a compensation program. The form should assist victims by prompting them with information or a checklist covering the various types of losses the program will cover, along with the different specific kinds of collateral resources that will be factored into decision making on payable benefits. Victims should not have to guess at what losses will be covered, nor have to provide information than is unnecessary. For example, if charitable contributions are not going to be considered collateral, then information about them need not be sought. Supporting documents that may be needed include a doctor's statement of disability; a doctor's verification that injuries and medical treatment are directly related to the crime, rather than the result of unrelated conditions (this also may be apparent from comparing the victim's statement of injuries sustained to the medical records of treatment provided for those injuries); itemized statements for medical, dental, and/or funeral expenses; proof of employment and income from employers and /or tax forms; and information from insurance companies, pension plans, Social Security, and other government benefits that may be counted as collateral. b. "Filing" and the 120-Day Determination Period Because the array of benefits offered by the DOJ program, and thus the accompanying documentation required, will be quite extensive, the 120-day determination period may be problematic in some cases. Very few state compensation programs operate under statutorily mandated claim determination time frames. But all states regard expeditious processing of claims as a paramount goal, and they too must overcome obstacles posed by the many applications that lack key data or documentation necessary for decision making. No claim should be denied simply because information is not provided in the initial filing. Applicants should have an opportunity to supplement their initial application, and should be given detailed guidance provided as to what is missing. State compensation programs routinely send notices to applicants asking for various documentation and information necessary for claim evaluation, in the form of standardized letters adaptable to individual circumstances. In many instances program staff also telephone applicants to discuss missing elements. The DOJ program similarly should take the initiative in contacting claimants by mail and phone to detail the precise documents or data needed to make a determination. DOJ has several options regarding the 120-day statutory determination period and its effect on problematic claims. It could: a. Consider the claim "filed" upon first receipt of the claim form, regardless of its sufficiency or supporting documentation, and toll or stop the clock if necessary to seek further documentation or perform additional analysis. b. Consider the claim "filed" only when the application is substantially complete. Applicants would be notified that specific data or documents must be provided before the claim is considered filed. The 120-day clock would commence only when the claim was substantially complete for decision making purposes. c. Consider the claim "filed," and not stop or toll 120-day clock, regardless of claim insufficiency. The program then would make whatever determination is possible at the end of 120 days, depending on documentation received. Usually, at least some determination of eligibility for some benefits could be made, without necessarily determining all possible benefits. In other words, the determination at the end of 120 days would at least notify the victim that the victim qualifies as an eligible applicant, and that benefits will be evaluated and paid as proof of loss is provided and evaluated. Each of those options has some drawbacks. Option a. may effectively eliminates the 120-day time period as a real measurement. The DOJ program would have wide discretion to decide when the clock was running and when it was not, and this could result in delays for applicants. Option b. also could work against claimants' interests, since to some degree it would be in the program's discretion to determine when the claim filing is complete. However, there at least would be some certainty that the process, once begun, would proceed within a specified time frame. We suggest that option c. is a more viable option, particularly if "determination" can be defined to mean simply a decision on the applicant's eligibility for benefits - accompanied by a payment of whatever benefits can be proven at that time - rather than a final decision on all benefits payable. Option c. is closest to general practice among state compensation programs, which routinely bifurcate the "eligibility" decision from the determination of which specific benefits can be paid. The "eligibility phase" may look only at basic facts and circumstances to determine if any benefits at all would be allowed: for example, was the victim actually present at the crime and injured as a direct result of it; or is a particular family member eligible to seek benefits. The question of which benefits can be paid, and how much can be provided, is part of a second phase, once basic eligibility is determined. It is therefore very common among state compensation programs for initial eligibility determinations to be made that do not involve a final determination of all benefits. In fact, programs encourage victims to submit applications early, before all losses may even be sustained. Program seek to make determinations of eligibility first; make payment on what they can, once that eligibility determination is made; and make further payments as more expenses and losses are submitted and verified. While this means that a claim may be "open" for payment for some time after an initial eligibility determination is made, this is not regarded as an administrative burden. We are aware that the statute specifies making a "final determination" within 120 days, and payment within 20 subsequent days. We suggest only that a more realistic goal in some cases may be for the "final determination" to be limited to the questions of applicant's basic eligibility for benefits and that payment could only be expected on such losses as are satisfactorily proved at 120 days. We see no reason why a claim could not be held "open" for payment of further expenses as they are submitted and proven. We believe this interpretation and approach, which closely follows standard state practice, would serve the interests of the victim in establishing eligibility with certainty, even if payment is not immediately forthcoming. It may be more important that the victim be afforded ample time and opportunity to seek all available benefits, rather than have a "final" decision that only addresses a few. DOJ program interests also would be served, since the program will need sufficient time to evaluate benefits fairly and fully. If at the end of 120 days, neither eligibility nor payable benefits can be determined because of insufficient information, the DOJ program decision should not be denial. Rather, the victim should be put on notice that the claim will be closed or suspended until such time as the victim provides further necessary information. A "deny without prejudice" decision is an approach used by some states. #3 Procedures for Hearing and the Presentation of Evidence Based on standard practice among state compensation programs, we recommend the following: a. Upon receipt of the application, the assigned analyst within the DOJ program reviews the "paper file," determines whether the application form is sufficiently completed, and checks what supporting documents may be missing. b. A notice is sent to the applicant seeking missing information, with any claim deficiencies communicated to the victim with a restatement of requirements. If possible, telephone contact is made with the applicant to seek this information and explain more fully what is missing. Written followup following any informal phone contact, with deadline given, is recommended. This informal interaction with the applicant usually is extremely helpful in moving the process along expeditiously. c. Upon receipt of sufficient information, a determination of eligibility and any benefits payable based on proven expenses and losses is made and communicated to the applicant. Opportunity to request a hearing is provided to the applicant, if the applicant is dissatisfied. Standard practice among state compensation programs is not to schedule a hearing until a determination of eligibility has been made, and only if the victim disagrees with that determination. Hearings are scheduled only if matters are in dispute, which can then be resolved once further information is provided and evaluated. There is no precedent among state compensation programs for appeals on questions that arise in the course of the evaluation of a claim. Unlike state practice, however, we note that no procedure is specified in the DOJ statute for hearings subsequent to a determination being made by the DOJ program; neither is any opportunity for appeal afforded. While we urge DOJ to set up at least some level of appeal within the program itself, if this is not possible, then we believe that a hearing would necessary in every case prior to a final determination. We recommend that hearings be informal in nature. While an oath may be required of applicants and witnesses, formal evidence-presentation methods should not be necessary. The hearing officer should be trained to elicit as much evidence as possible from the victim and afford all opportunity for the victim to provide further information. For this reason, hearing officers should have some training in victimization (reaction to trauma), and should be selected to some degree upon qualifications relating to their abilities dealing with people in person. A preponderance of the evidence standard is informally in use among state compensation programs. Hearings should be recorded. Transcription should only be necessary if further appeals are taken. A hearing location convenient to the victim is desirable. Hearings in at least New York as well as Washington, D.C., are certainly recommended. State compensation programs do not pay for transportation expenses to hearings, but DOJ should consider a small stipend for this purpose if the victim lives outside a certain distance from the hearing. The DOJ program should also be open to the possibility of telephone hearings for victims who cannot travel to hearing sites, as well as to travel by hearing officers to the victim when circumstances require. Scheduling conflicts will arise, and an opportunity to postpone a hearing should be afforded at least once to the victim. Advocates to orient and aid victims before and, as necessary, during hearings have proven very beneficial to both victims and compensation programs. We urge DOJ to ensure that helpful staff are available at hearings for this purpose. DOJ should work cooperatively with all federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency management agencies to obtain necessary facts regarding the identities of victims. Since police reports on individual victims likely were not taken, DOJ investigators should obtain airline passenger lists as well as lists maintained by other agencies of victims and family members claiming injury or death. DOJ should have subpoena power to compel production of documents, as state compensation program do. #4 Procedures to Assist Applicants State compensation programs generally assist the victim in determining what the victim's losses and expenses are. This is done first through an application form and accompanying instructions that list eligible expenses, prompting victims to think carefully about their claims and what they might be eligible for. Some programs have developed a handbook for victims and those who assist them, and DOJ should develop such a brochure. A newsletter or update material, available in print and on-line, would be ideal in clarifying issues as they arise. State compensation programs also have participated fruitfully in outreach meetings that provide information to potential applicants, and this may be possible for DOJ to do as well. Assistance also is provided by state compensation program staff during the analysis of applications and documents. If it appears that the victim has failed to seek funds for a benefit for which the victim likely would be eligible, the analyst may inform the victim through telephone contact as well as by mail. The DOJ program should not place the entire burden upon the victim or applicant to determine what potential benefits are available. Since the array of benefits available through the DOJ program is extensive, particularly in the realm of noneconomic losses, it is difficult to imagine applicants being able to make these calculations and presentations of losses without expert help. For many victims, this likely will involve the services of an attorney. (We note, in contrast, that very few applicants for state compensation programs use or require attorneys.) For those victims who have not retained attorneys, expertise should be available in the DOJ program to help victims determine losses, particularly loss of support calculations, as well as non economic losses like pain and suffering and loss of consortium. DOJ may wish to consider standard schedules for determining these long-term or indeterminate losses, based on recent civil judgments and settlements. Since state compensation programs do not pay for noneconomic losses, we can offer little expertise in the area. Most state compensation programs allow attorneys fees, but nearly all that do, limit these fees. Typically, the program will pay a set amount as a fee per claim, or the program will allow a limited percentage to be paid in addition to the award (usually 10% or 15%). State compensation programs do not allow payment of fees for other experts, but this because the losses generally paid are clearly defined, and caps on overall expenses do not require the need for long-term projections of losses. We note that the Social Security Administration has regulations governing its authority to pay attorneys fees in determinations of disability, and these may be worth examining. #5 Claimant Eligibility Among states, eligibility for benefits typically extends to close family members of anyone killed; anyone physically injured as a direct result of the crime, and any person with significant emotional trauma because the person faced a credible threat of injury or death, whether or not the person was physically injured. Terms such as "present at" and "immediate aftermath" would be interpreted generally to include someone who was exposed to injury or danger because of the primary criminal event, in a time frame in which destruction from the precipitating criminal act was still visibly occurring as a direct result of the force of the initial destructive act. For example, eligibility likely would extend to someone suffering a medical condition because of exposure to dust and debris that significantly injured the victim in terms of locomotion, vision, or respiration, but not to an individual to which the dust and debris were merely an inconvenience or aesthetically unpleasant. Having said this, there is some procedure among states to extend coverage to a broader class of individuals who may be emotionally traumatized, if not physically injured, because of their proximity or relationship to a criminal event. The compensation program responding to the Columbine High School shootings, for example, conferred eligibility on all students, facility, and employees of the school, regardless of their presence at the school at the time of the criminal action. We note that because benefits in Colorado and other states are limited to actual expenses - medical and counseling costs, lost wages, and lost support directly related to criminal injury or death rather than inclusive of noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering, and because overall maximums are comparatively low (the median state cap is $25,000), eligibility can be extended to broader categories of people without necessarily multiplying total costs to the program. (It is less likely that a faculty member not at Columbine on the day of the shooting, for example, would submit a claim for any medical, counseling, or wage losses because of an injury related to the crime.) DOJ, since it will be offering noneconomic losses, may have different issues to consider in broadening coverage. Further, because the benefits paid by state compensation programs cover only actual expenses and economic losses related to physical or emotional injury, it is not important to states to limit eligibility to "serious" injury. (Usually, however, only those with relatively serious injuries do apply, since those injured in minor ways often do not incur expenses.) Again, DOJ may have other considerations at stake because of the noneconomic benefits allowable under the program. It may be difficult to verify who was "present at" the World Trade Center attack. Since DOJ may be considering claims only from those who are physically injured or killed, medical and counseling records placing the victim at the scene at the time of the injury should be a primary documentation source for this information, along with death certificates for those killed. The Oklahoma compensation program found that verification of a visit to an emergency room was the best means of determining whether a victim's injuries actually were sustained because of the blast at the Murrah building. Many victims' families have registered with FEMA, the Red Cross, and other agencies, and it may be possible to cross-reference those lists for confirmation purposes. With regard to questions surrounding the role of the "personal representative" as the only party eligible to file claims in death cases, we comment again based upon state compensation program practice. We note preliminarily that a strict definition of personal representative, combined with the "onefiling-per-family" requirement, are likely to create major difficulties for the DOJ program as well as the families of victims. In death claims, state compensation programs generally may accept claims from any family member in close relationship with the victim. This would include spouses, children, and parents primarily, but also could include siblings, grandparents, step-relatives, guardians, and nonfamily members residing in the same household with the victim. (Each state's law may contain slight variations to these eligibility parameters.) There is no requirement that applications be filed by only one person or one personal representative. In fact, many programs do not even accept claims from "personal representatives" or estate executors/administrators. When more than one application is received from different family members, it is a relatively easy matter to consolidate all those applications under one claim or case, since all family members derive their eligibility from one individual. We would suggest that rather than struggle in determining who is the appropriate "personal representative," which may not be a matter settled in some estates for same period of time, DOJ should instead allow applications from more than one family member, and then consolidate all such claims into one "filing" relating to a single death, This consolidation of applications into one "filing" or claim should be sufficient to meet the letter of the law. In this regard, we urge a broad interpretation of the term "personal representative." Certainly, it is not apparent that Congress intended this applicant to be only an official court-appointed estate administrator or executor, It would serve victims' interests, as well as DOJ, if a personal representative could include anyone who reasonably can establish eligibility for benefits deriving from an individual's death. Otherwise, DOJ may spend significant time trying to determine who the sole applicant should be, when there may be more than one set of family members dependent on the deceased (wife and ex-wife, for example) - and who therefore are equally eligible to receive benefits. We emphasize the difficulty DOJ would face in ensuring that benefits go to appropriate family members, if payment could be made only to one individual or "personal representative." It is obvious that such an individual may be unable or unwilling to perform the responsibility of dividing up benefits to different individuals, who may neither be in contact or cooperative with the personal representative. DOJ's paying only one individual might spawn litigation between family members not because of DOJ benefits, but rather because DOJ practice did not simply pay people directly. We believe that following standard state compensation program practice would allow DOJ to pay benefits directly to or on behalf of multiple family members who are eligible to receive such benefits. In short, we believe it would be fairer for each victim and family deriving eligibility from a deceased victim to be allowed to apply. In reality, of cause, most victims will only have one family; and that family will submit only one application. But in those cases where multiple family members could be eligible, it is fairer to allow more than one application rather than limit the application process to one person or representative. Again, we believe DOJ could consolidate these separate applications into one "filing" or claim, for purposes of the law's requirements. We do not believe that the personal representative should be burdened with notifying all individuals who might receive benefits because of an individual's death; neither should this be the job of the compensation program. The personal representative should not be burdened with seeking signed statements waiving the right to litigation. However, it would be fair and consistent with DOJ's need to publicize its program to all potential beneficiaries, for the claimant or personal representative to provide a list of relatives who have suffered losses because of the terrorist victimization of the direct victim. #6 Nature and Amount of Compensation At a minimum, economic losses should include those payable by state compensation pro- grams; medical and dental expenses; counseling expenses for family, including spouses, parents, children (and step-relatives) as well as others living in the same household with any deceased vic- tim; lost wages for injured workers unable to work; lost support for dependents; funerals and memorials. We emphasize the need to address counseling expenses for "secondary victims" such as close family and household members. Many of DOJ's questions on the nature and amount of compensation relate to noneconomic losses, and we can provide little assistance in this area, since state compensation programs do not provide for these types of losses. However, we believe that it should be possible to develop consistent methodologies for determining noneconomic losses, relying on standard practice in personal-injury litigation, and that such information be communicated to potential claimants and the public. Consistency in paying benefits if obviously a goal to strive toward, recognizing that some variations may exist between individuals and families similarly situated. With regard to collateral sources, federal law is clear that state compensation programs are secondary payers with regard to the DOJ compensation program, and therefore should not be considered collateral resources to the DOJ program. As amended in the Antiterrorism legislation of October of this year, 42 U.S.C. 10602(e), found in the Victims of Crime Act, reads as follows: "(e) Relationship to certain Federal programs. Notwithstanding any other law, if the compensation paid by an eligible crime victim compensation program [this refers to state compensation programs] would cover costs that a Federal program, including the program established under title IV of Public Law 107-42 [the Federal 9/11 compensation program], or a Federally financed State or local program, would otherwise pay -- (1) such crime victim compensation program shall not pay that compensation; and (2) the other program shall make its payment without regard to the existence of the crime victim compensation program." This makes clear that states "shall not pay" compensation when the new 9/11 Fund can pay so for victims that file claims with the federal compensation program for expenses that either the state compensation program or the federal compensation program could pay, the federal compensation program should do the paying. We believe further that the law requires the DOJ program to reimburse states for payments already made to victims that also apply to the DOJ program for benefits that would be paid by the DOJ program. Reimbursement of state compensation programs for payments made to claimants filing with the DOJ program could be facilitated in two ways: 1. By seeking this information from claimants, when they provide information on their application to the DOJ program about other collateral resources they've received. It would be incumbent upon the DOJ program not only to ensure that this payment from state compensation programs not be duplicated in a payment to the victim, but also that the DOJ program make payment for this expenses directly to the state compensation program in reimbursement. 2. The state compensation programs could provide information to the DOJ program about claimants and the benefits paid to them, so that these benefits could then be reimbursed directly to the state programs. With regard to other collateral resources, standard practice among state compensation programs is to regard medical insurance and other state, federal, and local government benefits as collateral resources. The states are split with regard to considering life insurance as collateral; some do, and some don't, and some exempt a certain amount of life insurance while counting amounts above that level (the first $50,000 of life insurance, for example, may not be counted as collateral in some states). States generally do not count charitable donations as collateral, and do not reduce awards because of such donations. That is the approach governing the states chiefly involved in helping victims of the 9/11 attacks (specifically New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California). We believe it wise for the DOJ program also to disregard charitable contributions to victims. State compensation programs also do not deduct collateral resources unless there is certainty that payment has been made or will be made soon. Simply being "entitled" to a benefit that may not be forthcoming is of little value to a claimant. Fraud is always possible, particularly when benefits are large. States ascertain whether applications are fraudulent through a thorough review or documentation presented, and discourage such attempts through a clear statement on the claim form or instructions of the penalties for fraud. We appreciate this opportunity to provide comments, and we offer any practical assistance we and our member programs can provide in fashioning and operating the DOJ 9/11 compensation program. September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-29 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojW000752.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-29 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 9:33 AM Equal Access to Benefits December 19, 2001 Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick, I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need." 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 New York, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002873.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 19, 2001 4:17 AM Equal Access to 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. Sincerely, Individual Comment Washington, DC September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002500.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-19 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Sunday, March 17, 2002 7:48 PM Please treat Gay and Lesbian victims equally with all others To whom it may concern: I am appalled that the benefits being extended to victims of Sept. 11 are not being given equally to Gay and Lesbian victims' survivors as they are to all others. Please reconsider this unjust and unfair discriminatory practice. Individual Comment St. Louis, MO September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-17 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001539.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-17 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. 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 Chico, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-14 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA004578.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-14 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource 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. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, December 17, 2001 10:43 AM do the right thing . > 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. My daughter-in-laws brother worked in the world trade center and luckily he got out safely. I can't imagine what would have happened otherwise. > > 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 Hill AFB, UT September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-17 Dublin Core 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/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002104.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-17