Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, March 18, 2002 12:15 PM Distribution of September 11th Funds I was saddened when I heard that my government is planning to exclude a group of individuals based on their sexual orientation. Like all other Americans, September 11th was a pivotal point in my life. I began to look at my family, friends, career, and personal goals and reevaluate their significances and reprioritize. I began to love my family more, although we have had our disagreements and although we do not always see eye to eye. I realized that whether I agree with everything they say or do, I still love and cherish them. I am lucky, I didn't loose anyone that day. My family is from Manhattan and my employer is headquartered in Washington, DC. I heard stories, from the people who's lives I share, about their experiences. One woman shared with me the fear of not knowing if she to her husband will make it home and the dreaded call they had to make to relatives to arrange for their children's care and well-being. I cried for everyone who lived through and died on September 11th. I have seen our country grow and heal with each major event. I was born during the Vietnam War and grew up watching TV and hearing stories of how our soldiers were treated. I saw our heroes then heal during the Gulf War, when we "supported our troops". Inconsequential of our belief in the war, we did what was right. I am seeing it now as our country pulls together in order not to make judgments on Arab-Americans and repeat a dark time in our history. I saw the media being used to spread the word of healing and tolerance in order to keep Americans together and not create civil upheaval. All of us are trying to keep it together, and it is taking every ounce of energy. That is why I am so shocked that our Federal government is hiding behind State Laws. Choosing not to rock the boat, not to do the right thing. I am still healing though this terrible time. My life has changed. I cannot imagine the pain of those who did loose a loved one. Life does "go on," but not without help. Family and community support are so important after such a catastrophic event. Same Sex Partners, whether acknowledged by their State of residency, deserve the same respect and tolerance as all Americans and non-Americans receiving distributions from this fund. Dr. Martin Lutheran King, Jr. said: "Cowardice asks the question - is it safe? Expediency asks the question - is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it popular? But conscience asks the question - is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it BECAUSE it is right." There were once State laws against his people, which it took the Federal government's intervention to force a change. Over time, our hearts grew though tolerance and acceptance and include them as full Americans. Now, racism against African- Americans is not tolerated and laws are there to protect them. Now is our time, to show that we are a nation undivided, that all our citizens are counted and important, and that we a leaders of the Free World. As a Christians, we pray for our leaders to help them make the right decision. I have been praying for our country's leaders since 9/11, and today I will pray for you. Do what is right, not what is safe. Sincerely, Individual Comment Long Beach, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR001881.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-18