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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:01 AM
Please!!


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
Hancock, MA

 
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December 13, 2001                            


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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Burns,OR

 
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Wednesday, December 05, 2001 8:51 AM
Support for Family's of 9-11

Please  Support the families of victims of the 9-11 tragedies even though those families may not be traditional...
Gay and Lesbian couples who suffered the loss of a partner suffered no less of a loss than a traditionally married couple.

Thank You 

Individual Comment
Constableville, New York


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December 13,2001 


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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of
dollars per year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a
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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
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The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships
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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
Dekalb,IL
 
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Monday, March 18, 2002 12:47 PM
Discrimination against gays

I am appalled that the government is going to deny
compensation to the partners of gays and lesbians
killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks.  This is
unconscionable.  In the case of illegal aliens, the
thought seems to be "we don't like it, but this is not
the time to be concerned about it".  Why does the same
not apply to gays and lesbians?  Do you think that
they do not have families that depend on them, too?  I
do not think it is even a little bit fair to grant
compensation to one of these groups and not the other.
 In fact, I'd say the opposite should be true.  After
all, these people are not ILLEGALLY gay!

Do gay people not pay taxes?  Of course they do. 
Illegal aliens?  In some cases, no, they don't.  Did
gay people contribute to funds such as the Red Cross,
etc. in the wake of 9/11?  I'm sure they did.  So, why
are they not "good enough" to receive compensation
when illegal aliens are?

Please please please reconsider the government's
stance in this issue.  It's not fair, and in fact,
it's downright mean.

Sincerely, 



Individual Comment

 
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
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                <text>yes</text>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308150">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308151">
                <text>2002-03-18</text>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 10:31 AM
Crisis Relief for All


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

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

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

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


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Amherst, MA 

 
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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308155">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308156">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308157">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308158">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308159">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308162">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308163">
                <text>2001-12-19</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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  </item>
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              <text>
Monday, January 14, 2002 8:39 PM
Help same sex partners of terrorist victims


Dear Mr. Zwick:

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment

Union City, NJ 

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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308169">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308170">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308171">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308172">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308174">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
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            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308175">
                <text>2002-01-14</text>
              </elementText>
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              <text>
Wednesday, November 28, 2001 2:18 PM
Compensation Claims

It is with interest that I read the many comments made by the American people concerning the Victim's Compensation Fund.  Far be it for me to comment on how the US legislation regarding this fund should work but as a mother of one of the British victims of the WTC disaster, may I assume the fund will cover all people from all nationalities that were lost?

Regards

Individual Comment

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            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
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                <text>email</text>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308185">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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Special Master Kenneth R. Feinburg
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 for 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
Anacortes, WA
 
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              <text>

Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:12 AM
Crisis Relief Benefits


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

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

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
Seattle, WA 

 
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="308210">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
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                <text>2001-12-19</text>
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Tuesday, January 22, 2002 9:10 PM
Illegal Immigrants Receiving Benefits Related to 9/11

It is against the law for illegal immigrants in this country to work. They 
are not entitle to any benefits related to 9/11/.

Individual Comment
 
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            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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              </elementText>
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              <text>December 13, 2001


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


To Mr. Feinberg:

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

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

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

Individual Comment
Westbury, NY 

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              <text>2001-12-13</text>
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                <text>dojA003707.xml</text>
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              </elementText>
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Tuesday, January 22, 2002 11:28 PM
#584215 v4 - L&amp;W Comments

Attachment 1:
Before the
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Washington, D.C. 20350

September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking
66 Fed. Reg. 66273 (December 21, 2001) 
January 22, 2002

COMMENTS OF LATHAM &amp; WATKINS

Latham &amp; Watkins, an international law firm with more than 1,400 lawyers, is representing more than two dozen clients who have lost family members in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  These clients include spouses and children of individuals who lost their lives in the World Trade Center or on the hijacked airlines, and the widows of firefighters.  Many of these clients were referred to the firm by local bar associations, including the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the District of Columbia Bar, the Volunteer Legal Services Program of San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.  More than 75 attorneys in the firm are involved in providing legal advice to these clients on a pro bono basis.
These comments to the Interim Final Rule for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (the "Fund") are the product of the questions and concerns our clients and attorneys have faced in interpreting and discussing the Interim Final Rule.  These comments do not necessarily represent a consensus among our clients or any individual clients position with respect to the Interim Final Rule.
As discussed in more detail below, we recommend that the Department of Justice consider the following in implementing a Final Rule for the Fund:

 Procedure - we believe that the Fund should not sunset until two years after the Final Rule has been published or the Personal Injury Compensation Form and the Death Compensation Form have become available
 Compensatory Award
 The mathematical formula (methodology) used to calculate the economic loss portion of an award should be consistent for all claimants, regardless of income, and the formula as well as all assumptions made in reaching the economic loss portion of an award should be published so that claimants may know what presumptions they must overcome in challenging a presumptive award.
 
 Collateral Offsets

 If Workers Compensation will be considered a collateral offset, please publish the formula for calculating the offset amount, including assumptions made about a claimants continued eligibility for workers compensation payments.
 If Social Security will be considered a collateral offset, a victims lifetime contributions to Social Security will be deducted from the offset amount.
 To the extent that a Life Insurance payout is characterized as a collateral offset, premium payments should be deducted from the offset amount.
§ The Interim Final Rule does not address situations where Life Insurance proceeds are paid to someone other than the Personal Representative of an eligible victim.
 Please define what constitutes a Pension Fund and explain how Pension Funds fit within the statutory definition of assets received "by reason of a decedents death" when they were vested and would have continued to grow tax free had the decedent lived.
§ Please also explain how personal contributions to a Pension Fund will be treated with regard to computing the collateral offset amount.
 If 401(k) Plan Funds will be considered a collateral offset (which we strongly oppose), please detail how contributions to and interest earned on a 401(k) Plan will be treated.

 Extraordinary Circumstances - Please clarify what will constitute an "extraordinary circumstance" under the regulations, specifically considering:

 A disabled child who will be unable to care for himself after age 18;
 A victims family with more than two dependant children;
 A victim who was retired and no longer earning income; and
 A victim who earned $500,000 in base compensation for the past three years.

 Plan of Distribution - If the Special Master rejects a Personal Representatives plan for distribution, will the Personal Representative have a right to appeal that rejection?

 In addition, Latham &amp; Watkins received an "Explanation of Process for Computing Presumed Economic Loss" ("Explanation") in the evening on Friday, January 18th.  We have several initial concerns about the Explanation, including:

 There is no indication based on the Explanation of what the economic loss calculation for incomes in excess of $231,000 is. 
 In Step 3, it is unclear to what figure pension and "other benefits" are to be added; after-tax compensable income or gross compensable income.
 The Explanation sites a different source for average work life expectancy than did the Presumed Economic and Non-Economic Loss Tables.  Which source is being used?
 The Presumed Economic and Non-Economic Loss Tables indicate that expenses related to housing were excluded from the consumption factor while the Explanation indicates that housing was included in consumption for single victims.  Which is correct?
 Please provide mathematical equation used to compute the present value of a presumptive award for a sample claimant rather than just a textual description of the components.

We will provide more fulsome comments to the Explanation in another set of late filed comments after we have had the opportunity to more fully examine the Explanation.
 
DISCUSSION
I. LIMITATIONS PERIOD ON CLAIMS

  The Interim Final Rule indicates that claims with the Fund must be filed on or before two years after the effective date of the regulations "i.e., December 21, 2003."  However, the final regulations, including the formula for calculating presumptive economic awards have not yet been published nor have the Personal Injury Compensation Form or the Death Compensation Form become available.  Since "no claim may be considered until the claimant has submitted both an Eligibility Form and either a Personal Injury Compensation Form or a Death Compensation Form" (28 C.F.R. § 104.21), it would be more equitable for the Fund to sunset two years after the Final Rule has been published or both the Personal Injury Compensation Form and the Death Compensation Form have become available. 

II. COMPENSATORY AWARD

A. Calculation of Presumed Economic Loss
  In calculating awards, the fund must treat all victims equally.  This means that neither the formula for calculating economic loss nor the type or quantity of proof that the Final Rule requires should vary based on the victims individual circumstances.  At present, the quantum of evidence required to prove a victims benchmark compensable income level varies based on the victims income percentile.   While a victim who was in the 97th percentile of wage earners is required to provide only his past three years of  tax returns to establish his compensable income, the Special Master has indicated that such a showing would not be sufficient to prove compensable income for a victim who was above the 98th percentile of wage earners. In addition, the Interim Final Rule does not provide the methodology for calculating the presumptive award for the families of victims who earned more than $231,000.  As such, the families of "high earners" have no way of anticipating their possible awards, which is a substantial deterrent to their filing under the Fund.
  Latham &amp; Watkins believes that the current method can be adopted for use by all claimants, including high earners.  The Interim Final Rule indicates that one of the factors to be considered in determining the decedents loss of earnings or other employment benefits will be "the amount and nature of the decedents income for recent years."  The rule further indicates the Special Master will consider the decedents average income for the years 1998-2000.  In order for this requirement to be equitable to all claimants, the Fund should allow submissions based on either 1998, 1999 and 2000 or 1999, 2000 and a projected full year of income for 2001.  
   This is true because limiting the initial determination of loss of earnings to the decedents income in years 1998-2000 is likely to yield extraordinarily inequitable results in many cases.  Specifically, where the decedent was just beginning his career, focus on earnings before 2000-2001 will greatly distort the calculation of future loss of earnings.  Using 1998-2000 income as a benchmark will penalize those who spent some or all of this period in the military, in school, training, or apprenticeship, and thus had little or no income.  Rather than using the years 1998-2000 as a benchmark, the Final Rule should invite claimants to provide the decedents most recent earnings through September 11, 2001, and specifically take into account the rate at which the decedent was promoted to determine probable growth.  Moreover, the Final Rule should require the Special Master to consider, as part of compensable income, future non-monetary compensation, such as stock options that did not vest before September 11, 2001.  
  For instance, one of our clients is the widow of an engineer who served in the military until 1998.  Upon finishing his military service, which included three tours of duty in the Persian Gulf, and war service, he continued taking college courses part-time, and received his degree in August 2001.  At the beginning of that period, he worked multiple part-time jobs for relatively low wages to help maintain the household.  By the end of 2000, however, he had proven himself in his field and was hired by a leading data integration company as a senior engineer.  In the course of the next 11 months, he received two raises, three promotions, and more than doubled his stock options based on his outstanding performance.  His income before 2001 is not representative of his future earnings, and therefore should not be considered in determining his familys economic loss.  We believe that this type of case is fairly representative, and therefore the Final Rule should specifically invite claimants to include the most recent income information about the decedent, and any other information pertinent to determining future earning potential.  However, if a claimant wishes to submit only the three years of tax returns without further evidence of incoming earning potential, the amount indicated on the returns should be taken on its face.  
  Finally, claimants whose average salaries exceed $231,000 should not be forced to submit additional forms of proof in order to establish their compensable income level, as such a requirement would discriminate against them based on their level of income.  If, however, a claimant elects to submit additional documentation to argue for upward departure from the presumed award, the Special Master should encourage their efforts and consider all evidence the claimant is able to provide.
B. Extraordinary Circumstances
  The Interim Final Rule indicates that, "absent extraordinary circumstances," awards in excess of $3 million will rarely be appropriate.  Please provide more detailed guidance as to what will constitute an "extraordinary circumstance" and what quantum of evidence a victim must show to prove "extraordinary circumstances."
  For example, we have a client who is the deceased victims spouse, who has a four year old child who is disabled and will be unable to care for himself after he turns 18.  Another client has four children under the age of 12 and her husband earned a base salary of $500,000.  These potential claimants do not know how their circumstances would be considered in determining a presumptive award and thus do not have a reasonable basis on which to determine whether to submit a claim.  The Final Rule should provide guidance to these families as to the likely categories of factors that will be considered "extraordinary" and the kind of evidence they will be required to show to prove that a factor is indeed extraordinary.
III. COLLATERAL OFFSETS

A. Pension Funds

  It is unclear how pension funds will fit within the statutory definition of assets received "by reason of the decedents death."  Pension funds normally do not vest for a number of years after an employee has started working.  However, once they have vested, they continue to grow tax-free during a workers lifetime and are paid out over time after a worker reaches retirement age.  Therefore, while the funds may become available earlier than they ultimately would "by reason of the decedents death," the pension funds should not be characterized as a collateral offset since they were not received as a result of the decedents death, but would in any event have become available to the worker at a later date.  The Special Master should take this into careful consideration in drafting the Final Rule regarding collateral offsets and should  characterize only the interest on the pension amount as a collateral offset.

B. Workers Compensation

  The Interim Final Rule, while providing some guidelines as to what constitutes a collateral offset, is also unclear regarding whether workers compensation payouts will be counted as collateral offsets.  Moreover, if the Special Master reduces or offsets a claimants presumptive award by workers compensation payouts received or payouts a claimant is entitled to, the Interim Regulations provide no guidance on how to calculate the amount by which a claimants presumptive award ought to be reduced.   Since workers compensation is paid for life or until a spouse remarries, calculating the present value of possible workers compensation payouts to a surviving spouse is both impractical and inequitable.  What will the Special Master assume is the life expectancy of a spouse?  In addition, how will the Special Master factor into the present value calculation the possibility that benefits will not be paid?  Will the Special Master assume a spouse will not remarry?  Given these ambiguities, is our opinion that the Special Master should not include workers compensation as a collateral offset in the Final Rule for the Fund.

C. Social Security

  Similarly, the Interim Final Rule does not clearly provide for the inclusion or exclusion of Social Security as a collateral offset.  The Interim Final Rule does not furnish potential claimants with a formula to calculate the Social Security offset applicable to a claimants presumptive award.  Social Security is paid to widows aged 60 or older and widows caring for a child under 16 years of age.  A spouse that is not currently entitled to social security (because the spouse is younger than 60 and does not have children under 16 years of age) will become eligible to receive Social Security payments at the age of 60, provided the spouse has not remarried.  We are of the opinion that to consider Social Security payments a collateral offset is inequitable to claimants in need of the compensation and redress the Fund affords.  The Special Master should make clear in the Final Rule that Social Security is not considered a collateral offset.  In the event the Special Master chooses to characterize Social Security payments as a collateral offset, we ask that the amount of the offset be reduced by the Social Security contributions made by the decedent or victim during his or her lifetime.

D. 401(k) Plans

  It is our position that 401(k) payments should not be considered a collateral offset.  We believe that any money in a victims 401(k) account that is attributable to employer contributions should be characterized in the way it was given, as part of the employee's overall compensation package.  A 401(k) plan is a voluntary plan to which an employee may contribute a fixed portion of his earnings, and to the extent that an employee has invested money in his or her plan, it should be treated no differently than any bank account or investment account.  This is not a third-party benefit paid to the victims family; it is money that the victim contributed to a 401(k) plan rather than choosing to invest it in another way.  It is inherently inconsistent to treat 401(k) funds any differently than money saved in a regular bank account or money in an investment account.  Thus, employer contributions should not be deducted from any victim's award as a collateral offset.

Respectfully submitted, 

Comments By:
LATHAM &amp; WATKINS
Washington, D.C.
New York, NY
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA

 
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Saturday, December 22, 2001 1:16 PM
important


December  22, 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
Gainesville, FL
 
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Monday, March 11, 2002 10:33 PM
Meet the Press and Kenneth Feinberg's slight on Gay Partners of
9/11 victims


Dear Sir or Madame,

I'm writing because I am abhorred to have learned that Kenneth Feinberg
stated recently on "Meet the Press" that gay partners of the heroes of
September 11th will not necessarily be eligible for the same compensation as
heterosexual family members who lost their loved ones.

His rational for such blatent discrimination is to rely on existing state
laws regarding who would be eligible. Very few States have enacted laws to
protect domestic partners and of those that have, most apply only to State
employees. In fact many States and the Federal Government have gone out of
their way to prevent gay marriages and unions and thereby eliminating all
benefits that come from similar unions between heterosexuals.

Feinberg said that he cannot take on state law by including Gays and
lesbians in the compensation program. However the duplicity of his argument
is ever transparent by his willingness to include illegal aliens in the
program and offer them and their employers assurance that they will not
suffer consequences by coming forward. It is not my intention to pit one
group against another here, but merely point out Feinberg's willingness to
turn the other way for one group in an admirable effort to be as inclusive
as possible with the program while on the other hand blatently
discriminating against Gays and Lesbians.

I urge you to stand up for the equality of all Americans who were affected
by the tragic events of 9/11 and amend your policy to include compensation
to the Gay and Lesbian partners of victims. It is precisely times like this
that we need unity in this country not divisive policies like the one
currently in place.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment 


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Friday, March 22, 2002 2:20 PM
Please do not turn your back on surviving gay American families
of 9/11


   For the surviving families of the many gay heroes who died on September 
11, it is important that they receive the same aid as other surviving 
spouses and children.  While same-sex partners do not have the legal 
recognition enjoyed by different-sex spouses, their emotional and financial 
loss at the death of their soulmates is just as great as for others.  Please 
treat all survivors the same; please ensure that the children, partners, and 
other family members of gay victims on September 11 receive equal 
compensation.

                         Sincerely,


Individual Comment

 
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December 15, 2001                            


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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Los Gatos,CA 

 
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Sunday, March 17, 2002 10:29 AM
9/11


I just learned that the gay and lesbian partners of those who died on 
September 11 are not automatically going to receive the same benefits as 
heterosexual spouses.  That is a total disgrace!  Even illegal aliens will be 
receiving benefits.  What happened to all Americans standing together as one? 
 
Individual Comment

 
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Monday, January 14, 2002 8:33 PM
Help same sex partners of terrorist victims


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

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
 
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            </elementText>
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        <name>Dublin Core</name>
        <description>The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308310">
                <text>dojN001653.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
        <description>Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="52">
            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308311">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="53">
            <name>Consent</name>
            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308312">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="54">
            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308313">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308314">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308315">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308316">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308317">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308318">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308319">
                <text>2002-01-14</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
    </elementSetContainer>
  </item>
  <item itemId="24630" public="1" featured="0">
    <collection collectionId="24">
      <elementSetContainer>
        <elementSet elementSetId="1">
          <name>Dublin Core</name>
          <description>The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.</description>
          <elementContainer>
            <element elementId="50">
              <name>Title</name>
              <description>A name given to the resource</description>
              <elementTextContainer>
                <elementText elementTextId="264506">
                  <text>Department of Justice Emails</text>
                </elementText>
              </elementTextContainer>
            </element>
            <element elementId="41">
              <name>Description</name>
              <description>An account of the resource</description>
              <elementTextContainer>
                <elementText elementTextId="264507">
                  <text>The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families.  These e-mails have been organized here by date.</text>
                </elementText>
              </elementTextContainer>
            </element>
          </elementContainer>
        </elementSet>
      </elementSetContainer>
    </collection>
    <itemType itemTypeId="18">
      <name>September 11 Email</name>
      <description/>
      <elementContainer>
        <element elementId="65">
          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="308320">
              <text>
Saturday, March 16, 2002 7:55 PM
In pursuit of fairness

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am outraged that the fund for victims of the
September 11 tragedy will not cover the partners of
gays and lesbian who died that day.

I know that there are many in our country who were
still stuck in old and invalid predudices, but I am
truly saddened to learn that they still exist at your
level.  

I fear that this plea falls on deaf ears, but I am
bound by my heart to make it.  I have a lesbian sister
and many gay and lesbian friends, and I know that they
are no different from the rest of us in the ways that
matter.  And certainly not in the area of family.  A
gay/lesbian family contains just as much love,
commitment, and morality as any other family.

Please reconsider your decision in this area.



Individual Comment
Auburn, WA
 
</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
        </element>
        <element elementId="66">
          <name>September 11 Email: Date</name>
          <description>The local time and date when the message was written.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="308321">
              <text>2002-03-16</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
        </element>
      </elementContainer>
    </itemType>
    <elementSetContainer>
      <elementSet elementSetId="1">
        <name>Dublin Core</name>
        <description>The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308322">
                <text>dojR001212.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
        <description>Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item.</description>
        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="52">
            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308323">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="53">
            <name>Consent</name>
            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308324">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="54">
            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308325">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308326">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308327">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308328">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308329">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308330">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="308331">
                <text>2002-03-16</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
    </elementSetContainer>
  </item>
</itemContainer>
