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December 13, 2001

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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of
dollars
per year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a
dishwasher in
one of the restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the
inherent
worth of all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the
disparities. It
would be a double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of
the
taxpayer money went to those who were already well off in the first place.

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

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

Sincerely,


Individual Comment
Santa Cruz, CA

 
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Monday, January 14, 2002 8:39 PM
Help same sex partners of terrorist victims


Dear Mr. Zwick:

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Dallas, Texas 
 
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Tuesday, November 06, 2001 10:20 AM
Victim Compensation

While I realize that there is a staggering burden in deciding how best to distribute the funds to the victims of the World Trade Center disaster, and there most likely is the need for some federal control over the disbursement of funds; I do not feel that the victims should have to literally "beg" for a fair share of the funds.
For instance: for those who were lucky enough to have been able to HAVE a funeral for a family member, it was most likely paid for by friends, savings, or some other means. Life insurance had not been paid (due to the red tape required). Why not include burial expenses to these families from the donated funds? It was an expense they surely hadn't planned on before that fateful day. Perhaps some of them had to "borrow" the funds for these expenses. 
To have lost your "significant other" in such a tragic manner, and most having children to tend to, mortgages &amp; bills that are piling up.... these people need some money NOW, not after the questions have been put forth before what will appear to be 50 committees to best decide who gets what and when..... 
Help these people NOW--that's what generous Americans did--without stipulation as to how the money was to be spent---
Sincerely,

Individual Comment

Chester, VA
 
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December 15, 2001


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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

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

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

Sincerely,
     
Individual Comment
Los Angeles, CA
 
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December 19, 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
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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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double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money
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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     
Dallas, TX 
 
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Wednesday, November 07, 2001 10:37 AM
Comments on victim compensation plans for Sept. 11

Hello --

I think we should all be proud that so many Americans have contributed so much, to relieve the suffering 
of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

But the proposal that victims of Sept. 11 should be compensated twice -- once from private charity, again 
from a government fund -- while victims of so many other tragedies generally receive no compensation at 
all, goes against all notions of fairness. Once is right, but once is enough. Charitable awards that victims 
receive should be considered when deciding how much they get from the government fund.

Individual Comment
 
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Monday, December 10, 2001 8:40 PM


Dear Sept.11th fund,

COMPENSATION FOR ALL INCLUDING GAYSAND LESBIANS.  FOR 
GOD'S SAKE.

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
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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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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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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
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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
Oakland, CA
 
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January 13, 2002

Re:  Comments on the Interim Rule of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001

Dear Mr. Feinberg:

     I am writing to ask for your help to correct two inequities in the Department of Justice's Interim Final Rule for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 that will result in many families receiving no compensation from the fund.  This is because (1) the projected economic and non-economic loss figures are unrealistically low; and (2) the Fund reduces any award by the amount of money a victim family received from a "collateral source."  

When Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act on September 22, 2001, it severely restricted September 11 victims' right to sue the airlines, which bear ultimate responsibility for the tragedy because of lax security procedures.  In exchange for denying victim's right to sue, Congress provided the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.  The Fund is supposed to compensate the victims' for the types of losses that would have been recoverable in a lawsuit, but without the burden and delay of litigation.

The Interim Rule/Regulation also describes the intention of the law:

"The Fund is designed to provide a no-fault alternative to tort litigation for individuals who were physically injured or killed as a result of the aircraft hijackings and crashes on September 11,  2001"{Interim Rule/Regulation, Summary Paragraph A.1}.

"The attached regulations have two objectives: (1)  To provide fair, predictable and consistent compensation to the victims of September 11 and their families throughout the life of the program; and (2) to do so in an expedited, efficient manner without unnecessary bureaucracy and needless demands on the victims."  {Interim Rule/Regulation, Supplementary Information.}.


The Interim Final Rule fails to meet the intent of Congress, however, because many victims' families will net nothing after collateral source funds are subtracted from the already undervalued economic and non-economic loss projections.

The Interim Final Rule understates economic loss by underestimating the lifetime earning potential of victims at all income levels.  Noted economists at the National Association of Forensic Economists showed that the Interim Final Rule uses outdated statistics and inappropriate methods to arrive at low estimates of our loved one's future earnings.  An analysis done by one of these economists showed that the actual earnings growth for firefighters is 27% higher than the DOJ estimate, the actual earnings growth of all college educated workers is 30% higher than DOJ indicates, and actual earnings growth for financial professionals is more than 100% higher than the DOJ estimate.

The Interim Final Rule also falls short of Congress's goals for non-economic loss.  The figure for presumed non-economic loss compensation of $250,000 plus and additional $50,000 for the spouse and each dependent is rationalized as being roughly equivalent to the amounts received by public safety officers who were killed while on duty, or members of the military who are killed in the line of duty while serving our nation.  With all due respect to such public safety officers and military personnel, they choose to go into harm's way and their loss is not the result of corporate negligence.  On the other hand, the September 11 victims are victims of negligent airline security.  Perhaps more realistic guidance as to the value of non-economic losses recovered in other air crash and terrorism cases commonly result in awards of between $2 million and $5 million.  A more reasonable projection of non-economic
loss is probably somewhere between the current proposal and the historical litigation result.

The Interim Final Rule reduces any compensation awards by the amount of any funds received from collateral sources, including life insurance.  The Interim Final Rule does this because Congress included such a provision in the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act.  That does not make it fair; that does not make it right.  In many states, the law on "the collateral source rule" has been well settled for over one hundred years.  Under that rule, damages recoverable for personal injury or death, caused by the negligence of another, cannot be reduced because of compensation received by proceeds of an insurance policy.  This is because the wrongdoer owes full compensation for the injuries inflicted by them and any payment by a collateral source in no way relieves the wrongdoer of their obligation.  In this instance, the airlines and others at fault owe full compensation for the injuries resulting from their negligence.  Any payment by a collateral source in no way relieves the airlines and others at fault for their obligation.  This collateral source rule, which has been a fundamental part of tort victim compensation for over a hundred years, needs to be incorporated into the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

The Interim Final Rule needs to be adjusted to provide fair, balanced and acceptable economic and non-economic loss projections.  The economic loss charts need to be increased and expanded depending upon the deceased's job field.  The non-economic loss amounts also need to be increased into a range that accounts for the tragic way in which these innocent victims died and the shattered lives they left behind.  Collateral source recoveries need to be excluded from consideration by the Fund Without these changes, the intent of Congress will not be fulfilled because there will be no reason for many of the September 11 victim families to participate in the Fund.  Without these changes, it will be better for many victim families to take a chance at litigation rather than sign on to a Fund through which
they will receive nothing but a waiver of their right to sue.

Please rectify these inequities.  Give the victim families a reason to participate in this Fund rather than litigate.  Change the Interim Final Rule to provide economic and non-economic amounts at fair, balanced and acceptable levels; do not offset Fund awards by calculation formulas, statistics and assumptions within the rule or the explanatory materials.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Bally, PA
 
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              <text>Thursday, January 24, 2002 6:12 PM
New Vote.com votes as of 06:11 PM EST on January 24th, 2002


Dear September 11th Victim Compensation Fund,

Vote.com is the Internet's most popular voting site.  Millions of people regularly express their opinions and - in just one click - automatically send their views to important decision makers like you.

Here are the latest votes on the question, SHOULD FAMILIES OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO DIED ON 9-11 GET MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL VICTIMS' FUND?:

YES: 107 votes 
NO: 1333 votes 

Group Comment

 
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Friday, December 14, 2001 1:45 PM
compensation

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

To Mr. Feinberg:

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

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader
earning millions of dollars per year might receive thousands of times as
much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of the restaurants
destroyed.  Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the
inherent worth of all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation
level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a double blow to the
survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the
taxpayer money went to those who were already well off in the first place.

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

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment

 
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Friday, December 28, 2001 6:35 PM
please


December  28, 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
Raleigh, NC 
 
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Thursday, March 21, 2002 3:44 PM
Please include gay partners when distributing survivor benefits

In the days following September 11, the country was united like never before
on the surface.  While I was happy, I was also disturbed because I knew that
people were just as divided down deep as they ever were.  The fact that gay
and lesbian families are being left behind by the Department of Justice once
again is evidence of that.  Even if you do not agree with gay relationships,
relationships are only one aspect of life, and the people in gay
relationships should be treated the same as people.  The fact that so many
gay people lost legitimate long term partners, and then has America turn its
back on them is wrong.  It is no secret that one of the California residents
who brought down the aircraft in Pennsylvania was gay.  In the process of
doing so he may have saved Mr. Ashcroft's life or even Mrs. Bush's.  That is
why I respectfully request that President Bush, and General Ashcroft,
remember everyone who perished, and honor their partnerships, even if they
disagree with them personally.  

Thank you for taking the time to consider my thoughts.

Individual Comment
Fort Lauderdale, FL

 
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Wednesday, December 26, 2001 1:58 PM
Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits


December  26, 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
Columbia, MD

 
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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Tuesday, January 22, 2002 7:10 AM
9/11 victim's fund

I am concerned about the victims compensation fund for 9/11 families.  It 
seems too large and unfair.  Did the victim families of the Oklahoma City 
bombing get compensation?  Did families of US citizens who may have been 
killed in a terrorist act prior to 9/11 get compensation?

Do the families of members of the armed forces who are killed in action get 
compensation?  Especially families of those serving in Afghanistan?

I think that there will be a lot of bad feelings that many others who have 
suffered have not been compensated and should have!

Individual Comment
 
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
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                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
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Thursday, March 07, 2002 12:09 PM
New Vote.com votes as of 12:08 PM EST on March 07th, 2002

Dear September 11th Victim Compensation Fund,

Vote.com is the Internet's most popular voting site.  Millions of people regularly express their opinions and - in just one click - automatically send their views to important decision makers like you.

Here are the latest votes on the question, SHOULD FAMILIES OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO DIED ON 9-11 GET MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL VICTIMS' FUND?:

YES: 6 votes 
NO: 60 votes 
Group Comment


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Wednesday, December 05, 2001 2:11 PM


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

December 5, 2001


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
Fairfield, Iowa
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Tuesday, December 11, 2001 8:47 AM
(no subject)

December 11, 2001

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

I am writing to urge the Justice Department to include among relatives eligible for compensation through the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund" those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  

Please 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."

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered families impacted by the events of September 11 must be offered the same help and benefits as traditional families.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Norristown, PA
 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 8:24 AM
Fairness for all victims, gay as well


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International 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
Cambridge, MA

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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 8:35 AM
Families, Fairness, Freedom


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
Ortonville, MI

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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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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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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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          <element elementId="59">
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            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
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