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Thursday, December 06, 2001 10:51 PM
Victims Compensation Fund

Gay and Lesbian Families should be compensated by the fund, to compensate 
families affected by 11 September.  Now is not the time to separate.  We are 
ALL humans and if we are to Stand United, then it must be in all ways and for 
EVERYONE! They are not asking for anything more, than any other AMERICAN is!

Individual Comment
PA

 
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Friday, March 22, 2002 5:48 PM
enough already

I can't believe that discrimination of whatever kind
is taken place again.  enough is enough!  The Sept
11th DID NOT DISCRIMATE WHEN IT HIT !!  It took
somthing away from all american's and nationality. 
That dark day will live through out our lives forever
and for americans that donated to the victim's did not
do so in hate of anyone.  For those who lost love
one's even a gay couple to have lost a mate or a
spouse or a parent need's help.  Who are you to sit
and judge where the money or funds to help get through
this should go and not go.  We as american's need to
stick together in this time.  Why can't you guy see
this.  You are only making problems amoung people that
have already suffered enough. Do the right thing and
be able to look at yourself in the mirrow in the
morning and say I did the right thing.
Thank you
Individual Comment
 
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Monday, November 19, 2001 10:23 AM

It has come to my attention in speaking with victim's families that the
class of claimants who have rights under the Victims Compensation Fund must
be carefully crafted.  For example, I have beed assisting a family where a
victim is survived his fiance and a two year old son.  They were to be
married in January, own a home together and were financially intertwined
(bank accounts, etc.).  She does not work, was financially dependent on the
victim, and will be displaced from their home with the toddler unless she
has the right to make a claim.  Please consider this type of situation when
determing who will have the right to make a claim under the Act.  

Individual Comment
 
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Saturday, December 22, 2001 11:18 PM
Equal access to relief for gay and lesbian families

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

Mr. Zwick,

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

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

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

I ask the Justice Department follow the positive example of New York state 
in granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence 
with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim 
living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family 
deserves help in this time of need."
I would like to remind the Justice Department officials that real justice is 
only served when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the 
human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
 
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Saturday, March 16, 2002 8:08 PM
all equal

To whom it may concern,

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

This should not be. How do we change the law?



Individual Comment

 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 1:54 PM
Human Rights means EVERYONE


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write not only as a college student and supported of gay and lesbian
rights, worldwide, but also 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
Evansville, IN 


 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 10:27 AM
Relief For ALL Victims


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
Stafford, VA 

 
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            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:42 PM
Sept. 11th Victims Compensation

Dear Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg,

I want to urge you to make sure that justice is served with the victims' 
family funds, by recognizing gay and lesbian partners of those killed on 
Sept. 11 and giving them their compensation, as well as other unmarried 
partners. Also, please make sure that no matter what the person's job, his or 
her family is compensated without prejudice. In other words, if a person was 
a dishwasher or janitor, his or her family needs and deserves just as much as 
a stockbroker's family. Please prevent any discrimination against poor and 
working class families of Sept. 11th victims.
Thanks very much for your serious consideration of these issues.

Individual Comment
Santa Fe, NM
 
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                              THE SENATE
                             STATE OF NEW YORK
                                ALBANY 12247


                             November 16, 2001



Kenneth Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division              
U.S. Department of Justice                       
Main Building, Room 3140                              
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530


Director Zwick:

As the Chairman of the New York State Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections
Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to provide comment on the record
regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 [Public Law No:
107-42, Title IV] and its proposed regulations.

The specific source of my concern arises from the broad definition of 'collateral
source' [Section 402(4)] and the possible interpretation which could include charitable
contributions.  It is of the utmost importance that the tremendous amount of charitable
contributions after the September 11th tragedies are not included as a collateral source
which, under Section 405(b)(6),' ...shall reduce the amount of compensation
determined under paragraph (1)(B)(ii)...' To do so would not only be an insult to
the donors and benefactors, it would be contrary to the very law which established the
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and contrary to New York State 
law.

In addition to the obvious policy reasons for excluding charitable contributions from
the definition of 'collateral sources,' and the fact that charitable contributions were not
included in the statutory definition of 'collateral source, 'such an interpretation should
not be made, because the Act as a whole requires the Department to exclude such
contributions from its definition.

Looking at the language Congress used in defining 'collateral source' and the law in its
entirety, it is clear the intent is to include only entitlements as an offset to the
compensation awarded to a claimant under this act.  Sections 405(a)(2)(B)(iii) and
405(b)(6) both use 'collateral source' in context as compensation a claimant has,
'...received or is entitled to receive...' (emphasis added).  Compensation from a 
'collateral source' in this Act is an entitlement in the true definition of the word-
arising from a contract or by law.  Section 402(4) simply provides major examples-
life insurance, pension funds, death benefits, and payments made by Federal, State or
local governments- which create an entitlement under contract or law.

Although under a moral obligation to provide assistance to those they have collected
donations for, and under a general, legal obligation to their donors to ensure the money
collected for a specific purpose is used for that purpose, charities are under no
contractual or legal obligation to provide assistance to any particular benefactor.

Finally, please allow me to concur and restate the position of the memorandum to the
Honorable Phillip Perry, Acting Associate Attorney General, from the offices of
Governor Pataki, Attorney General Spitzer and Mayor Giuliani, which excludes
charitable contributions from potential offsets under this Act consistent with the
dictates of New York's collateral source law:


     ....Section 4545(c) of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules provides:

          In any action brought to recover damages for personal injury, injury to
          property or wrongful death, where the plaintiff seeks to recover for the
          cost of medical care, dental care, custodial care or rehabilitation
          services, loss of earnings or other economic loss, evidence shall be
          admissible for consideration by the court to establish that any such past
          or future cost or expense was or will, with reasonable certainty, be
          replaced or indemnified, in whole or in part, from any collateral source
          such as insurance (except for life insurance), social security (except
          those benefits provided under Title XVIII of the social security act),
          workers' compensation or employee benefit programs (except such
          collateral sources entitled by law to liens against any recovery of the
          plaintiff).

To be deemed a collateral source, the court must find that such cost or expense
was replaced or indemnified from any collateral source.

          [T]o find that any future cost or expenses will, with reasonable
          certainty, be replaced or indemnified by the collateral source, the court
          must find that the plaintiff is legally entitled to the continued receipt of
          such collateral source, pursuant to a contract or otherwise enforceable
          agreement, subject only to the continued payment of a premium and
          such other financial obligations as may be required by such agreement.
     

     Id.  Similarly, awards made by the New York Crime Victims Board are reduced
     only by public funds or payments mandated by law or contract.  Exec. Law Sec.
     631, 9 NYCRR 525.11.  Individuals are not legally entitled to the receipt of
     charitable contributions, pursuant to a contract or otherwise enforceable
     agreement.  See Wasau Business Insurance Co. a/s/o Central Synagogue v.
     Turner Construction Co. Et al., No. 99 CIV 0862 (RWS) (amicus brief)...

  In summary, while Section 402(4) does not specifically exclude charitable
  contributions from the definition of 'collateral source', Title IV, in its entirety, is not meant to include charitable contributions as a 'collateral source'.  The statutory
  language, legislative intent and consistency with New York Law all require the
  regulations and the application of this Act should not consider charitable contributions
  when making the 'collateral source' adjustment to the compensation awarded to a
  claimant under this Act.


  Thank you for considering my comments on this important matter.  If you have any
  questions regarding any of the issues discusses in this letter, please feel free to contact me.

  With best wishes.



                                   Sincerely,


                                   Michael F. Nozzolio
                                   Senator, 53rd District

 
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Friday, December 21, 2001 1:40 PM
Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits for Surviving Gay and
Lesbian Partners!


December  21, 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
Ansonia, CT 

 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 5:45 PM
Support 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
Orlando, FL 
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Tuesday, December 04, 2001 3:00 PM
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Dear Mr. Zwick:

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

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

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
East Falmouth, MA

 
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Monday, March 11, 2002 7:58 PM
911 Fund


I am  dismayed, disgusted and ashamed that the decision not to include
gay
Americans for assistance has been made.  Who are you to sit in judgement
as to whose loss of a loved one
is more important than another!!!!!  Is this the America of equality;
of justice????
Individual Comment
 
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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
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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
Brandon,VT 
 
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Thursday, January 10, 2002 7:45 PM
Fair treatment For All 9/11 Victims and Survivors

Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530                                                                   
Jan. 2, 2002

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.

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

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Flowery Branch, GA
 
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Saturday, March 16, 2002 4:11 PM


Families come in all sizes and shapes as experienced by those hurt in the September 11attack on the World Trade Center.  Different in size and shape, they all experienced the same lose and grief.  I am outraged by the news that gay and lesbian partners of those who died on September 11 are not automatically going to receive the same benefits as heterosexual spouses.  The lose and grief are the same and yet this prejudice will add to the grief of gays and lesbians who lost their partners in this event.  To add to this hurt is wrong.  I pray that you will work to correct this outrage that is being carried out in the name of love and justice.



Individual Comment

 
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              <name>Title</name>
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              <text>

Sunday, March 17, 2002 2:58 PM
Sept 11 compensation fund

To Whom It May Concern,

In response to the rules of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund I feel I must contact you and express my outrage and disgust over the discriminatory manner in which surviving relatives are being compensated. 

In recent interviews, the head of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (a fund created by Congress to help the families of those who died on September 11th) has made clear that the partners of gay and lesbian heroes of September 11th will not necessarily receive the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual victims of the horrible terror attacks. Our government has purposefully singled out gay couples and families to receive unfair and unequal treatment. In the wake of September 11th, the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans, including their partners, family members and loved ones, this amounts to much more then a slap in the face. It is blatant and hateful discrimination.

Even unborn children and illegal aliens will be receiving benefits under this program. The Department of Justice has even promised to overlook federal law and NOT arrest and deport the families of illegal aliens, nor will they punish American companies that knowingly hired illegal aliens in violation of federal labor laws. 


But when it comes to gay and lesbian heroes of the day - &amp;nbsp who helped bring down the flight in Pennsylvania, NY Fire Dept. &amp;nbsp who died in the line of duty when the first tower fell, &amp;nbsp who was &amp;nbsp of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon, and many more - we are told the law is the law and no exceptions can be made.


If September 11th has taught us anything, it's that our patriotism and love of country transcend our differences and unite us all. We were told that September 11th was the day that "hyphenated-Americans" were no more, and rather than being Italian-Americans, African-Americans or Gay-Americans, we were now simply Americans, all of us together as one American family. Apparently, that family just disowned its gay children.

The hyphens seem not to matter when our government wants to use our heroism to inspire others, but when it comes time to actually aid the families of those heroes, the hyphens come back with a vengeance, and it seems that some American heroes are now more equal than others.


I call on you, and all Americans, to stand up for equal rights and treatment under the law and for basic human dignity. Discrimination is UNAMERICAN! To uphold rules and laws that specifically state one victim is less worthy of our government's respect and compensation because of their sexuality is an insult to all the victims of September 11th and a disgrace to our country, founded on the principles of equality and justice. "We the people, hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal."

I truly hope we can live up to those great words.

Sincerely,



Individual Comment
Amherst, Ohio
 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 7:52 PM
Victims Relief Fund


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

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

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

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


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA 




 
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="329566">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="329567">
                <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>
          </element>
          <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="329570">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="329571">
                <text>2001-12-19</text>
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              <text>Friday, December 21, 2001 1:00 PM
Justice help all 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
Middle Village, NY
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            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="329577">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="329578">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="329579">
                <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="329580">
                <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>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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                <text>2001-12-21</text>
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              <text>
Thursday, March 14, 2002 1:14 PM


You idiots don't get the picture!  We are not greedy, nor do we want
anything else than what is fair.  The U.S. Government took away our right to
sue the negligent entities with the airlines with the Airlines Stabilization
Act.  If the government stayed out of this, it would not affect the tax
payers at all.  This is  not charity.  Clearly people were negligent and we
want them to pay for this.  As it seems the only way to hold people
accountable is through their pocket.  Maybe than this will force change and
reform.
 
Individual Comment

 
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