851 20 70359 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. December 4, 2001 Kenneth L. Zwick, Director Office of Management Programs, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice Fax: 301-519-5956 I implore you to 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. If we as a country are truly united and stand for equality for all people, the U.S. Government must follow the example already set by New York Governor Pataki 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." Sincerely, Individual Comment Gaithersburg, MD September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-04 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA000905.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-04 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, November 06, 2001 8:27 AM Comment The charitable donations should be used first, with the government fund as a backup buffer for the victims immediate family only. Immediate family is wife, sons, daughters. While the parents, cousins, etc..., feel the loss, they should not be compensated. Particular attention should be paid to the Red Cross, which has collected more than $547 million dollars, yet has only paid out 0.10 cents on the dollar. This agency has a history of fiduciary irressponsibility. Tens of thousand have donated to the Red Cross, only to find out that the bulk of the donation is eaten up by salaries, perks, and administrative costs of the Red Cross. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojW000069.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, November 26, 2001 6:04 PM JPMorgan Comments on Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 Please find attached comments submitted by JPMorgan. ----------------------- November 26, 2001 VIA EMAIL AND OVERNIGHT MAIL DELIVERY September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 3140 Washington, DC 20530 Re: Comments to the Notice of Inquiry and advance notice of rulemaking for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 Dated November 5, 2001 To the Office of Management Programs: Please accept our comments to the advance notice of rulemaking for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 offered for public review on November 5, 2001. We provide these comments as a leading global financial services firm headquartered in New York with over $42 billion in stockholder equity and over $799 billion in assets. Our perspective on the Fund, and specifically its system for processing and compensating the victims of the September 11 attacks, comes from our extensive knowledge and operational experience in the administration of large and complex trusts and what is entailed in carrying out a massive compensation project. It is based on our 200 years of experience in providing trust and payment services to clients. Trust and fiduciary services are a core competency of the Firm and JPMorgan currently manages over $2.2 trillion in trust and custodial assets. We are administering the $5 billion National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust, which makes annual payments to nearly one half million tobacco growers and quota holders. We regularly assist in numerous settlement payment requirements arising from complex litigation. As an institution, JPMorgan is deeply committed to providing whatever assistance or resources we have toward the effort of serving victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. We believe this is an effort that must succeed for the sake of our community and the nation. Our experience in these matters indicates that design of the system is the absolutely critical component to the successful administration of a large and public trust settlement. The key is simplicity in design of the system. To be successful, the system implemented here must rely on data management and data aggregation capacity, smart and professional victim assistance counselors, multi-faceted outreach, and the ability to transfer funds quickly and accurately. Congress created the compensation fund as an alternative to litigation for victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. As the November 5th notice states: "Litigation to obtain damages, particularly in a massive tort context, can be a lengthy, uncertain, process, filled with substantial risk and expense. The purpose of this compensation program is to offer all potential claimants a more expeditious, predictable, and less complex alternative to that process." We limit our comments to the fundamental operational decisions and practices that will enable the Fund to meet the intent of the legislation -- delivery of compensation payments to victims in an accurate, predictable and expedited manner. The law requires a very rapid turnaround from the filing of claims to the payment of compensation to victims who have suffered deeply from the extraordinary events of September 11th. The legal deadlines can be met, but only if the guiding philosophy in the administration of the Fund remains that it be a less complex alternative to litigation. To the degree that decisions are made that move away from more standardized practices, the Fund will approach litigation in complexity. Operationally, the number of claim disputes will increase, limiting the Fund's ability to rapidly distribute payments. At JP Morgan we appreciate the opportunity to contribute our experience in trust management to this process of determining how to rapidly distribute assistance to those who were harmed, to minimize the incidents of disputes, and to ensure that the Special Master is able to discharge his responsibilities in the time prescribed in the law and in a manner which will provide maximum benefit to the victims while minimizing the administrative costs. Topics #1 and 2: The Forms To Be Used in Submitting Claims Under This Program and the Information To Be Included on the Claims Form Claims forms should be designed to elicit the necessary information without being complex and confusing. They need to support a transparent system based on careful cataloging and assimilation of documents, thereby allowing the Fund to make quick and accurate payments to eligible victims. Fundamental to the design of these forms must be compatibility with existing data management systems. Accurate determinations to the key questions of whether the claimant was physically present and whether the claimant suffered physical harm will require supporting third party documents. To meet the twin goals of speed and accuracy these documents must respond to precise questions designed to provide the essential data supporting the claim so as to require a minimum amount of document interpretation. The unique and terrible nature of this tragedy means that many claims should be easily determined. This requires a form designed to expedite processing and permit speedy awards. Our recommendation is that forms be designed so the complexity of various claims can be easily differentiated, thereby allowing awards to be made more quickly in the simpler cases. It is essential the system be viewed as fairly and openly administered and that the basis for awards be easily understood. CLAIM FILING PROCEDURE For efficiency and to address the question of when the 120-day determination clock begins, the Special Master should not be part of the claim filing process. Rather, claim filing should be considered a two step process. The first step would be a review of claim forms for completeness and accuracy by a third party. The second step would be the forwarding of the claim forms by the third party, after they are deemed ready, to the Special Master. Only when received by the Special Master would they be considered officially filed and trigger the 120-day determination period. DESIGN OF FORMS The form's design and the information to be included should adhere to the following principles: Good data It is absolutely essential that the forms capture the needed data. This will require experience in system design and management based on the knowledge of what information is critical and the capability to confirm the accuracy of the information. Form design should avoid open-ended questions. Instead the forms' design must produce very specific and exact data. Secondly, each data field should request only one type of data to prevent multiple inputs of the same information within the form, thereby avoiding the potential of discrepancies. Standardization The form design should be simple to complete and standardized to ensure that the key data is captured for all claims. Instructions should be written in plain language, not legalese. The design should also make data entry simple. Additionally, the form should be divided into clear sections to again facilitate data entry and information research. This will help accelerate classification and preparation of claim reports. Lastly, there should be one common process with a common set of forms, so that every claim includes the same information and claimants are not confused by which form to file. Machine readability With such a tight timeframe and the need to keep consistent and accurate records, it is extremely desirable to create a system with forms that can be scanned into a computer system. Transparency A system design that focuses on simplicity and is easy to understand will stand up to public scrutiny, eliminate confusion, and minimize disputes. Predictability An application system based on transparency, simplicity, and uniformity of supplementary documentation will lend itself to fairness and predictability of outcome. The claims certification process should be so predictable that any person looking at an application would make the same judgment as to the validity of the application or the need for additional information. Designed to expedite awards/Pre-awards The application should incorporate a design that would gather the fundamental information up front so that you can provide qualifying victims a pre-award. In other words, it is possible to design a system where especially needy victims who have already suffered economic harm can receive interim relief. Supplementary data can then be assembled to complete the application and determine a final award. Multi-lingual The application design and information requirements should take into consideration the needs of non-English speaking claimants. Topic #3: Procedures for Hearing and the Presentation of Evidence With the large number of potential claimants and only 120 days to make determinations, the system will need to have a reliable record system supported by documents requiring a minimal amount of interpretation and so that the system avoids becoming subjective. A properly designed application and certification process will minimize the number of claims disputed as to qualification or amount of claim. Nevertheless, some number of cases will simply be disputed. A quick and informed process of claim presentation is necessary. The decisions should be quick and the relevant principles immediately recorded as consistent with the standards and precedents defined at the outset of the program. As an example of how a standardized, operationally sound program can expedite claim payment and limit challenges, JP Morgan consulted with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on a claim certification and dispute resolution program for tobacco farmer claims. There were more than 140,000 valid claimants, and disputes were heard in fewer than 150 cases, with funds being paid out for all claimants 90 days after the applications were received. A timetable, like what is envisioned for the September 11th Victim Funds is complex, but doable. Simplicity, The fewer the variables, the faster and more accurately the payments can be made to claimants. Speed Direct and immediate payments will make clear that the September 11th Fund has only one goal, rapidly providing assistance to victims. The process for submitting evidence should be designed to expedite claim management, reduce the need for third party assistance, and reduce the potential for fraud. Access to Records The compressed schedule will also put a premium on the need for accurate records which are both readily accessible and easy to interpret. Responsive and Accurate The records system must have the capability to track and respond to pre and post payment administrative issues. The Special Master needs to have confidence that the right funds get to the right person. Topic #4: Procedures to assist an Individual in Filing and Pursuing Claims Under This Title Outreach to the victims who are eligible for compensation must be professional, comprehensive, and personal. Information about how to apply for compensation should be shared with victims using all forms of the media. Claim applications need to be straightforward. The staff who speak directly with the victims must be knowledgeable, professional, and sensitive. A well designed outreach and victim's assistance program should: Keep forms simple and available Forms should be easily obtained, understandable, and easy to complete. Provide access to non-English speaking The application process should be accessible to non-English speaking claimants. Utilize a Website A website should be designed and put up immediately to serve as an information source for victims and to enable electronic filing of applications. Public outreach meetings Highly trained individuals should hold a series of informational meetings in the metropolitan area to bring applications to victims and help them understand the process. Frequently Asked Questions A list of frequently asked questions should be prepared as quickly as possible and made widely available. Media The outreach campaign should make aggressive use of the media when the program is launched to convey information and to encourage immediate responses. Disaster Relief Organizations The Special Master should meet with the Disaster Relief Organizations who are already responding to the tragedy both for victim outreach but also as part of the design process for determining assistance from collateral sources. Expertly staffed 800 number Not everyone has internet access and an expertly staffed 800 number with professionals who are capable of leading a victim through the application process will be for many their primary interaction with the September 11th Victim Fund. Computer tracking/Contact log All interactions should be tracked and logged to keep clear and accurate files on victims. Topic #5: Claimant Eligibility The Special Master needs to establish clear rules for determining claimant eligibility and have in place definitions of "personal representatives" and a process for how the identity is determined. This is especially important with a rolling claim award program where applications and awards will not all be made at the same time. With this Fund, there is the potential that a claim could be awarded to an individual claiming to be the personal representative before the official personal representative even applies. These personal representative determination rules can be reflected in the design of the application and the record management system. One component of the system should be a design to flag duplicative claimants for eligible individuals. Accurate record keeping for these cases is at a premium. In cases where there is uncertainty or a dispute over who is the appropriate personal representative of the victim, we would advise making a claim determination and holding the award payment in escrow. Topic #6: Nature and Amount of Compensation Based on our experience with the preferences of beneficiaries in other trusts, the Special Master may need to consider lump sum cash payments to the victims as their preferred award option. There are potential advantages to such a system, although an annuity plan may be the preferred course. In this special case, money gets to the victims immediately. It would also enable the Special Master to complete the program faster. Economic Loss/Noneconomic Loss In a program with such a large number of potential claimants, there is a strong need to err on the side of simple criteria, defining very finite standards which include a manageable number of variables in regard to situation and amount of claim. The system should asking open-ended questions calling for description as opposed to using very specific questions designed to elicit clear data. As an example a question which asks for a description of a victim's compensation will not yield as complete data as questions designed to ask specifically about the individual elements of a compensation plan. The goal should be to allow a nearly immediate determination of the claim with the proper documentation and information to minimize the need to exercise judgment or discretion as to individual cases. Fraud Prevention Measures There are three principles our experience has shown are effective tools in preventing fraud. First, create clear document standards in the application process. Second, make quick determinations and awards where possible; and third, offer financial advisory assistance to claimants after awards are made. A balance must be struck between sufficient supplementary document requirements and creating a process which is so onerous that potential claimants prefer the alternative of litigation. Define acceptable documentation It is absolutely critical to establish at the front end what information is required for an application and what will constitute acceptable documentation to support the claim. Uniformity and standardization will make it harder to manipulate the system. Build compatible data exchange with collateral source An experienced and sophisticated trust manager will have the capacity to develop data exchange capabilities with other record keepers in order to collaborate or fill in the information gaps in victim applications. Establish third party sources for immediate verification As part of the process for defining acceptable documentation, it is vital to establish acceptable third party sources to facilitate the verification of applications. Cross check data The data management system should automatically cross check the data entered on forms with related data contained in supplementary documents. For example, wages declared on the form should be cross-checked with income filed on a 1040 form. Supplementary documents should also be inspected for tampering. Quick determinations to eligible victims with clear needs Quick determinations will demonstrate a commitment to distributing payments to victims and will minimize the need for unnecessary intermediary fees. Bring in team of investment advisors Though not explicit in the proposed rulemaking, the government should consider the potential for post award fraud and how that can be minimized. Victims who receive large compensation benefits may not be prepared to manage those funds and may be vulnerable to bad advice. As an operational issue, in addition to the data management and payment of awards, JP Morgan strongly recommends that a team of qualified investment advisors be offered as an additional victim's counseling resource to help beneficiaries think through how to manage those funds. JP Morgan appreciates the opportunity to submit comments for your review and urges the Department to consider how these fundamental operational decisions will effect the ability of the Fund to be a viable alternative to litigation by enabling it to expedite the fair and accurate delivery of compensation to the victims of this horrible tragedy. Sincerely, Comment By: JP Morgan Chase Bank New York, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-26 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojW000704.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-26 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, December 18, 2001 8:25 PM Disgrace to Gays and Lesbians December 18, 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 Prairie du Chien, WI September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA002260.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, December 03, 2001 12:49 AM Topic 235: Claimant eligibility To the officials of the Dept. of Justice I am writing to publicly comment on the issue of Topic 235: Claimant Eligibility for the September 11th Victim's Compensation Fund ("the Fund"). Specifically, I am asking that long-term partners (also called domestic partners or life partners) of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered persons who were victims of the September 11th attacks be made eligible for compensation. Many Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered ("GLBT") people died in those attacks. Some were flight crew, others were passengers, office workers, and government personnel. They died cruel deaths, and in many cases left behind long-term partners as survivors. I have known GLBT people who have been in relationships for 10, 15, 30 years. I have no doubt that some of the victims were in such relationships. Along with the agony, grief, and emotional loss these partners face, they also face the loss of their homes, and have suffered emotional and financial cost of funeral expenses, and have suffered other losses. President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft have both made statements saying the attacks were attacks on all Americans, and that we should celebrate and unite behind the fact that, despite our differences, we are all Americans. I request those establishing the rules for Claimant Eligibility include surviving long-term partners as claimants. All of the victims killed by the terrorists were regarded as "Americans". No distinction was made as to the race, color, creed, sexual orientation, or gender of those the terrorists killed. We should do no less when establishing criteria for who is eligible to file a claim. I urge you not to stamp the surviving long-term partners of GLBT victims as somehow being "second-class citiznes" less worthy than other classes. Individual Comment Denver, CO September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-03 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA000265.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-03 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. December 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 Olympia, WA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA003243.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 05, 2001 10:27 PM take care of survivors of ALL 9-11's victims- "from the brave young gay man who lost his life on the plane attempting to save the lives of innocent people... to the gay priest who lost his life while ministering at Ground Zero... to the many lesbian and gay employees working in the World Trade Center... it is vitally important that we demand that our government treat all of our families with dignity and respect and equality." Hundreds of thousands of Americans didn't give millions of dollars in relief funds so that only SOME victims would be helped. Please take care of ALL our survivors of 9-11. Thank you. Individual Comment Granville, OH September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA001070.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 05, 2001 9:55 PM Victims of Sept 11 Dear Mr Zwick. I urge you to do the right thing as regards all surviving. partners including gay and lesbian. Please opose legislation that would unfairly deprive gay and lesbian Americans of their rights--in the name of justice. Thank you Individual Comment St. Exeter, NH September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA001062.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, December 05, 2001 6:22 AM September 11 Victim Compensation Fund To: Mr. Kenneth L. Zwick, Director Office of Mgmt. Programs, Civ.Div.USDJ 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 New York NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA000687.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, March 12, 2002 1:40 AM 911 victim funds To whom it may concern: I think it is outrageous that gays are excluded from help from the 911 victim funds. In the name of decency, please take action to correct this injustice. Respectfully, Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR000349.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Thursday, December 20, 2001 12:26 AM Gay and Lesbian Couples are also families December 20, 2001 Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick, I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need." Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks. Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality. Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11 attacks have equal access to the relief fund. Sincerely, Individual Comment Lodi, NJ September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA004057.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Sunday, January 20, 2002 11:03 AM Comments on Interim Rules I am writing to provide my dissatisfaction and dismay at the regulations, which are presently outlined in the Interim Rules of the Victims Compensation Fund. I lost my husband in the World Trade Center less than 4 months ago. I am still in mourning - as are my 2 college age sons. Right now I should be devoting my time and energy trying to bring my life, and that of my two sons, back to whatever normalcy September 11 can allow us. Instead, I am forced to devote all my spare time to the meetings, research and review of the regulations imposed upon us - by yourself, the Department of Justice and Washington, so as to provide comments according to your time schedule.. In point of fact, none of us will ever experience normalcy. Our lives are changed forever. I am well aware that, on any given day, a part of my husband may be found, which would bring me back to the mourning and horror of September 11. My childrens lives will be haunted forever by watching the towers burn on the morning of September 11 knowing it was their father who was dying on that TV, and then watching the TV replay it over and over again. I will always relive the horror of that day, while I stood at a window which faced the tower and watched as the second plane hit the tower, then spoke to my husband, and then just stood there in horror and watched as the towers fell. My children will graduate from college shortly, and their father will not be there, with tears of pride in his eyes. Their father will not walk them down the aisle when they eventually marry. Their yet unborn children will never know their grandfather, but will, instead, study how he died in history class. The amount of 50,000 does not even come close to compensating them. Their lives, emotions and futures are changed forever. My husband taught his children to work hard, study hard and you will be successful. Yet it was because of those values and my husbands love and devotion to , and his desire to always put in extra hours, and come in early and work late that my husband, and all of his friends who shared the same values were targeted and died. Your charts do not reflect those work ethics at all. They do not reflect the workers in the computer and financial industries, whose careers were their lifeblood. Knowing my husband, the only way hed retire was if someone was to suddenly change the locks on the doors. He worked for for 18 years, and would never have retired at your average age of 62. His job and his children were his passion. Now my children are left wondering whether this work ethic is one they wish to follow. Then they read the regulations, and they question it even further. They see the charts and wonder why their father earns less because they, the children, are older. This I cannot answer. They read the section on collateral offsets, and question as to why the regulations view financial planning as a detriment. This I cannot answer. Maybe you can. These are the lessons my children are learning from September 11 and the compensation fund You are correct in saying that you cannot place a price on the pain and suffering which we will all experience, but you did and that value was a disgrace. If my husband fell down a few stairs and lived, he would get more than $250,000 and our family life would be whole. Speaking for myself, I find it a disservice to the families that your office has informed the general public that the average victims family will receive 1.6 million dollars. This announcement, instead of helping the families has hurt us. How can anyone know the average when nobody knows the final number of victims, or their age, their salaries, and especially their collateral offsets. Yet, you would like us to believe that number, so we could sign away whatever rights we have, blindly. In point of fact, the current regulations would leave most of us with nothing, including me and my children, and yet the airline industry would be protected. I do not believe that this is what the Congress and Senate intended, when they drafted this fund. The economic charts should be changed to accurately reflect the work life and habits of the New York private sector and they should be based upon current data. The retirement age should accurately reflect the retirement age. At the minimum, it should match the retirement age, which is supported by Social Security. The salary used for computation should not necessarily be an average of 1998-2000. It should depend upon the individual case. Since my husband worked 18 years for the same company the average does nothing but ignore his current salary. The offsetting of the settlement by the consumption factor, which results in families where the children are older, getting less makes absolutely no sense. If anything, we would be saving our money, not consuming more. Just because the children are older does not mean that we suddenly change our lifestyles, we still are working the same jobs, and paying the same bills. The collateral offsets, although I am aware that this was imposed by the Senate and the Congress, are wrong. However, nowhere, in any of the regulations did it ever state that Workmans Compensation and Social Security should be treated as collateral offset. Instead Workmans Compensation, matched 401K funds, pension funds and company-sponsored group insurance policies should be treated as part of the companys contributions to your earnings. They are the hidden expenses, which a company spends per employee. Some of them are mandated by government regulations, and some are part of the overall package, which a company provides to the employees for their compensation. They should not be treated as collateral offset. In the case of Social Security, since my husband paid Social Security taxes for thirty years, why would the benefits of those taxes be deducted without offsetting them by the payments, which he made? Similarly, insurance premiums should be allowed to offset any insurance policies, which are being subtracted out. 401K funds, which were retirement saving vehicles should not be subtracted. That was our money, and does not belong to the government, similar to any other savings account. The fund should be consistent. It should not cap anyones earnings, and similarly, it should not allow anyone to receive nothing. Instead there must be a minimum, and the minimum should be announced before anyone enters into the fund. Non-Economic loss amounts do not come close to compensating us for either the horror of losing our loved one, nor do they compensate us for taking away our rights to sue. My husband, as well as many of the others in his company, was in the building for the first bombing. The terror that they must have undergone on September 11, when they realized the roof door was locked, which was their way out last time, we cannot comprehend. Then to have a full hour and a half, knowing that they were going to die, (as they told many of us on the phone), while watching building 2 collapse in front of them, that is a terror that neither you nor I can imagine, but it is a terror which we, as the families, relive over and over again. The rules should be clearly stated, and the amounts for each familys situations must be clearly known before we give up our rights. Currently the regulations and the tables are not clear, and the tables are not specific to each familys structures. I thank you for the opportunity to express my opinions. Sincerely Individual Comment Edison New Jersey September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojN002111.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-01-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. 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 Bradenton, FL September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA003949.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Saturday, March 16, 2002 4:57 PM Unfair Treatment I am outraged at the inequitable treatment of relief funds to American gay and lesbians whose partners perished in the 911 devastation. If this policy is not challenged, and made right, it will surely divide America once again. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001110.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Friday, November 30, 2001 1:21 PM Dear Attorney General Ashcroft, The deaths on September 11th were the result of an attack on America. Please do not discriminate against the unmarried partners of September 11th victims. All unmarried partners, gay or straight, young and old and their dependents should be eligible for compensation. Thank you. Individual Comment Tucson, Arizona September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-30 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA000226.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-30 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Saturday, March 16, 2002 3:44 PM Outrage that gay and lesbian partners won't receive benefits 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. Discrimination is un-American, and if September 11 has taught us anything, it's that our patriotism and love of country transcend our differences and unite us all. Individual Comment Houston, Texas September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001056.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. December 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 Albuquerque, NM September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA005233.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Wednesday, November 07, 2001 8:51 AM Fw: Unjust enrichment Re: "public comment on a government program that will provide money to the relatives of those who died or were injured in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." The issue: should those who have already, or will be, compensated for their loss through pensions; insurance; and, a most generous amount of money received from charities? People all over the nation have already given hundreds of millions of dollars 'generously' through charities for the victims and survivors. They should not now be making the same 'contributions' through a government, taxpayer, giveaway program. There will be many, many 'so-called' victims of the event who will reap hundreds of thousands of dollars, many of whom may have not suffered a loss at all. In any event, none of the recipients of America's generosity should be 'enriched'; compensated commensurate with their loss - yes. Even then, it is not the business of government to 'enrich' some people at the expense of others, under the guise of 'charitable compensation'! We, here in Oklahoma, witnessed many people becoming 'rich' as a result of the Murrah Federal Office bombing. Thank you, Individual Comment Edmond, OK September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-07 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojW000167.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-11-07 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, March 12, 2002 1:41 PM final rule Importance: High Mr. Feinberg You met with a group of us a couple of weeks ago we were the fiancées/domestic partners of victims of the world trade center. You didn't listen to our pleas you didn't make any considerations for us you flat out jerked us around with your look of compassion and your lawyer sitting by your side. You never intended to include us in any of the compensation or even attempt to allow us to have a leg to stand on . Thanks for us we have no pain and suffering we have no economic loss we are just people who loved in sin. I know what your response will be "take the family to court" . Yeah right just keep dragging the people who are hurt in the mud . Well I think I will go to court and the federal government is the one I will take. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR000414.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Sunday, March 17, 2002 9:34 PM Gays not treated as equal Dear Mr. Zwick, In this day and age I find it most depressing that people in our country illegally are treated more favorably that American citizens. In the determination not to offer equal benefits to the partners of the men and women who gave their life even so others might live are treated so poorly by our own government. I urge you to reconciler you stance on this issue and PLEASE treat all people equal even if you yourself do not believe them equal in your eyes they are in mine. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-17 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001556.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-17