535 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. Saturday, March 23, 2002 6:48 PM Domestic Partners of 911 Dear Sirs I was very saddened to hear about the DOJ's positions on victims of 911 that are Gay and Lesbian. I am embarrassed and ashamed. I did not believe that this could happen in this Country that supposedly treated all its citizens equal. The idea that the DOJ does not want to override the states is interesting, Can you imagine if George Bush would have had the same philosophy during the election and not gone to the Supreme Court. I have supported the administration until now without question and trust..no more. How can we expect justice around the world when we can not even grant it on our homeland to our own people? Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-23 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 dojR002666.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. 2002-03-23 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, December 14, 2001 12:04 AM Protect Traditional Marriage Mr. Kenneth Zwick Office of Management Programs Department of Justice Washington, DC Dear Mr. Zwick: I want to express my opposition to any effort by the federal government to provide 9-11 victim compensation funds to "domestic partners" of unmarried survivors of the terrorist attack upon our nation. Funds disbursed through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 should only go to the surviving family members of those who died on 9-11. Funds must go to the widows, widowers, orphans, and other blood-related or adopted members of the family--not to unmarried sexual partners of those who died. To provide funds to "domestic partners" is to undermine the traditional definition of marriage and family to include any number of sexual liaisons between same-sex or opposite-sex unmarried couples. Many homosexuals and swinging heterosexuals, for example, engage in sex with multiple partners. Do we provide funds to each of the sexual partners? Where do we draw the line on how many "domestic partners" a person may have? Homosexual activists are exploiting the 9-11 tragedy by asking the federal government to redefine what constitutes a legitimate "family" under the law. In fact, homosexual activist , writing in Out magazine has openly called for the subversion of the concept of marriage between a man and a woman. He has urged homosexuals to fight for the legalization of homosexual marriages and once legalized to "redefine the institution of marriage completely . . . . to debunk a myth and radically alter an archaic institution. . . . The most subversive action lesbians and gays can under take--and one that would perhaps benefit all of society--is to transform the notion of 'family' entirely." If the DOJ provides funds to "domestic partners," it will be helping accomplish his goal: That of redefining marriage and altering what he calls an "archaic institution." We also oppose September 11th Funds going to the estates of the deceased instead of to their surviving family members. No one can know for certain where these funds will end up if they are deposited in the estate of a person who has died. The person may have willed his estate to a terrorist, racial hate group, or even to an organization like the North American Man-Boy Love Association. No one will know unless each person's will is examined by a DOJ lawyer. The money should go to the surviving family members of the deceased, not to the estate or to the surviving "domestic partner." Individual Comment Jacksonville, FL September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-14 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 dojA001680.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. 2001-12-14 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 06, 2001 7:00 PM comments I am writing to express my support of the Department's request for public comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for implementing and administering the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund" and 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-06 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 dojA001223.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. 2001-12-06 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. Thursday, March 21, 2002 7:23 PM president@whitehouse.gov Mr. Feinberg: I heard today, with more than a little dismay and disgust, that your organization intends to deny partners of homosexual vicitms of September 11 the benefits that are to be paid to illegal immigrants and non-citizens who also lost family members in the attacks. Can you explain to me how you justify this? I was under the impression that the September 11th Fund was created to ease the financial burden of victims' spouses and loved ones. Are you and your collegues suggesting that the gay spouses and loved ones are somehow less deserving of our help and compassion? That homosexuals who died on the 11th due to the intolerance and hatred of a group of people are of less value? Are you really prepared to perpetrate intolerance and demonstrate such a stunning lack of compassion? What drives this decision of the Fund? Misguided and narrow-minded morals? A personal agenda? Finances? Please tell me how you can turn your back on Americans like , one of the heros of Flight 93, and his loved ones. I am saddened and angered by the September 11th Fund's policy. I urge you to search your heart, and change your mind. ===== Individual Comment Portland, OR September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-21 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 dojR002601.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. 2002-03-21 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 8:56 AM Discrimination in the 9/11 Fund is un-American Dear Sirs: Regardless of that fetuses may receive benefits or that Federal Law will be overlooked so that illegal aliens my receive benefits, I find deplorable that the partners of gay and lesbians heroes of Sept 11th may not be treated equally. This country is supposed to be about democracy and equal rights. Haven't our leaders learned about the unconscionable prejudice our society has shown against its own "subgroups" though out our history, the Italian-Americans, Irish-Americans, African-Americans? Wasn't there a time, not so long ago, when women where not even allowed one of our most precious freedoms: TO VOTE?? Are gay and lesbian-Americans just the "subgroup" of our age to discriminate against? Your decision to not apply a common standard for all, and allow state law to govern distribution is a cowardly way to avoid the issue, or even worse, to perpetuate it. Sincerely, Individual Comment Maplewood NJ 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 dojR001616.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 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, March 15, 2002 3:03 PM Protest of DOJ Decision on Beneficiaries of 9/11 Funds Dear Mr. President, et al: I am extremely disappointed in the Federal government's decisions on which survivors of those tragically murdered on September 11th will receive grants from the government. To ignore the gay partners of men and women killed is not justice, nor is it compassionate. Men and women love other men and women and share their lives, their finances and their homes with them. They share the same grief of those who were legally married. They also share the same financial hardships associated with this loss. Mortgages need to be paid, apartment rents, car payments, etc. It is a shame that in the United States we look to the majority opinions on this (e.g., state law) rather than protecting the minorities. I do understand that spouses of illegal aliens will be included in the funds. What does this take place and yet others, only because they are gay and only because they have no legal status are excluded? September 11th was truly a national tragedy, why compound it with uncaring and unjust decisions and actions? I hope you will reconsider your decision. Please do. Sincerely, Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-15 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 dojR000856.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. 2002-03-15 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 19, 2001 5:01 PM equal rights 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 Kirksville, MO September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 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 dojA003568.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. 2001-12-19 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 9:01 AM 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Dear Mr. Zwick, Our pain is no less, Our loss is no less, and our access to justice and equality in the aftermath of the 9/11 crisis must be no less. Like Governor Pataki, we must give relief to ALL lifestyles affected by the 9/11 crisis, be they straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Be them surviving life partners, or parents or children of partners. When I and countless others gave to the relief fund, we didn't attempt to direct the funds, we trusted "the powers that be" that the funds would be distributed to the needy without regard to their lifestyle, so you must do the same. If not, then we are entitled a refund of our monies so we can distribute to our "families" ourselves. Thank you for taking a stand for equal fustice. Individual Comment Sarasota, Fl 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 dojA000718.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. Friday, December 28, 2001 9:47 PM Dramatic Action Required 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 Chestnut Ridge, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-28 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 dojN001149.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. 2001-12-28 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, April 03, 2002 11:54 AM The 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund On behalf of the Interweave Committee of the Unitarian Universalsist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York, as well as myself, I ask that you INCLUDE in eligibility for Victims' Compensation the partners of gay and lesbians persons who lost their loved ones in the WTC and pentagon attacks. I urge you to jettison any exclusionary policy depriving gay and lesbian partners of equal treatment under the Victims' Compensation Fund and replace such policy with an INclusionary treatment that leaves gay and lesbian partners eligible for Victims' Compensation. Thank you. Individual Comment Manhasset, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-04-03 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 dojR002890.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. 2002-04-03 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. Wednesday, November 21, 2001 9:47 AM comments attached Attachment 1: November 15,2001 Kenneth L. Zwick, Director Office of Management Programs Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice Main Building, Room 3140 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20530 Email: victimcomp.comments@usdoj.gov Re: September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking Dear Mr. Zwick: We are writing in response to the "Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking," which seeks public comment on a range of matters critical to implementing the legislation designed to compensate victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Public Citizen is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with 21,200 members in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Part of our mission is the promotion of government accountability and the assurance that victims of wrongful acts can pursue justice and fair compensation. Our interest in the implementation of the Victim Compensation Fund is that procedural regularity and fairness are ensured for our members and others affected by these incidences. The following paragraphs represent our comments regarding the issues raised in the order presented. Topics # 1 & 2: Whether the Special Master should delay the "filing" of a claim under certain circumstances because of the limited statutory time frame? Yes. 120 days might not be sufficient time to properly prepare and document a claim. A claim should not be "filed" until the Special Masters deputy (or claims counselors) or other representative has determined that the claim is ready for decision. Delaying the filing until the application is complete will allow the claimant to obtain information necessary to allow the Special Master to make a reasonably informed decision. The Department should strive to avoid elevating form over substance in these proceedings. Whether there are actions the Special Master should be required to take before he or she can accept a claim, or deem a claim "filed?" Yes. All acts necessary to prepare the claim for decision should be completed before the Special Master accepts or deems the claim "filed." Only then should the 120 day time period for decision begin to run. Topic #3: What procedures should be used in taking and evaluating evidence? We suggest that all evidence be submitted primarily via documents, including photographs, videotape and other demonstrative materials. If necessary, limits could be placed on the amount of such materials that would be received. Witness statements, affidavits, depositions and other supporting documentary evidence should be submitted at the time of the "filing." Oral hearings in the presence of a hearing officer should be based on the filing, designed primarily to summarize the filing, answer questions, display scars, etc. The hearing officers should have experience in evaluating claims (former judges, personal injury attorneys experienced with mediation and facilitation hearings, etc.). These hearing officers should prepare proposed findings for consideration for the Special Master. Whether the statute permits the Special Master to temporarily halt or toll the running of the clock, at the initiative of the claimant or otherwise? Yes. Section 405(b)(4) entitled RIGHTS OF CLAIMANT, provides claimant shall have the right to an attorney, to present evidence, witnesses and documents, and any other due process rights determined appropriate by the Special Master. This language appears to authorize claimant to initiate a temporary halt in the running of the clock upon a showing of good cause. Again, we believe it is Congress intent to compensate the victims in a timely fashion rather than to establish arbitrary time lines that work to prevent compensation. Whether claimants should have the opportunity to appeal directly to the Special Master specific rulings or working decisions of a claims counselor or hearing officer on questions that arise in the course of the processing of the claim? Yes. We suggest that an appropriate appeal procedure within the process should be provided, as it is impossible to foresee the issues and problems that will arise. If necessary, the Special Master could create a council to hear and evaluate such appeals. Topic #4: What measures should be provided to assist claimants in preparing their "filing?" This is a remedial Act intended to compensate victims. As a result, its provisions should be liberally construed to accomplish that objective. Steps should be taken to provide personnel (claim counselors) to assist claimants with the preparation of their filing. Counseling and assistance with the completion of the application and collection of supporting documents should be provided. Likewise, the government should provide expert economists to evaluate the economic losses on the victims behalf, and present their recommendations as part of the filing. This should not be treated as an adversarial proceeding. Topic #5: How should claimant eligibility be determined? Again, we emphasize that this Act is remedial and should be construed liberally to provide compensation to victims of these terrorist attacks. In our opinion it is not wise or possible to attempt to define in advance the limits of such terms as present at, physical harm, or immediate aftermath. Attempts to establish rigid or artificial definitions should be avoided and the words should be given their common everyday meaning. The claimants individual circumstances need to be considered as provided in Section 405 before these decisions can be made. At this time there is insufficient factual information upon which to even attempt to draw these lines. The personal representative. In all death cases, only the person appointed by the appropriate probate court should be allowed to apply for benefits from this fund. If only the personal representative can file for benefits, then, that person must first go to probate court and obtain letters of authority to act as decedents personal representative. If, as we proposed above, (see Topics #1&2), the filing is delayed until the papers are in order, the time required to obtain probate court authority will not count against the 120-day limit. Many issues can and will arise in death cases as to the class of individuals who qualify as next of kin or survivors. The statutes of the state involved govern these issues and the probate court has the experience to resolve those issues. These state statutes generally provide for notice by the personal representative to all those who are within the statutory class of survivors. They also vest sole discretion in the personal representative to make decisions regarding whether a claim will be filed and in what forum. People unhappy with decisions made by the personal representative are required to take their complaints to the probate court. If time becomes an issue the probate court can issue an order appointing some appropriate person to act as personal representative for the purpose of pursuing a claim against the fund. Topic #6: Whether and how schedules or statistical methodologies should be developed and used in reaching a determination for the compensation of claimants? If the regulations are drafted, as we suggest in Topics #1 & 2 above, so that claims are not "filed" until they are complete and ready for decision, then a lot of the time pressures are relieved. The hearing officers and Special Master can use the full 120 days solely for considering and deciding the individual claims. Sec. 405 (b) requires that the amount of compensation shall be based on the harm to the claimant, the facts of the claim, and the individual circumstances of the claimant. While all claimants must be treated fairly, the statute does not require that all claimants receive the same amount of compensation. In fact, it requires just the opposite. The Act requires that each claim must be evaluated on its individual circumstances. Our civil justice system has never accepted the proposition that all injured persons or survivors of decedents are entitled to equal compensation. This Act clearly did not make that a requirement. Analysis of economic loss. We agree that experts in the analysis of economic loss should be provided by the Special Master to assist claimants in gathering and presenting the pertinent economic loss information. These experts are widely available and frequently used in catastrophic injury and death cases. It is possible that many economists may offer their services free or for nominal fees. Non-economic loss. Section 402 (7) sets forth a very broad definition of non-economic loss, and concludes with the phrase, "and all other nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature." Based on this language, the Special Master is required to determine non-economic loss claims on a detailed claim-by-claim basis. The statute requires consideration of the individual circumstance of each case. The non-economic loss should be decided based on the materials presented (family and witness statements, photographs, videotapes, etc.) and, necessarily, the good judgment and discretion of the Special Master. Unfortunately, these decisions are not amenable to resolution by "standards." Collateral sources. Sec. 402(4) says collateral source means "all" collateral sources, including life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs, and payments by Federal, State, or local governments related to the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. Sec. 405 (b)(6) provides that the Special Master shall reduce the amount of compensation determined under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) by the amount of the collateral source compensation the claimant has received or is entitled to receive as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. It is immediately apparent that the Act does not define the term collateral source, rather it provides a brief list that is only illustrative. The language contained in Section 402(5), which provides, in defining economic loss, that such losses may be recovered "to the extent recovery for such loss is allowed under applicable State law," requires that state law controls the subject of collateral sources. Whether the Act permits the Department to exclude charitable contributions from the definition of collateral source? Yes. Charitable contributions are not within the typical definition of collateral source followed in most states. (E.g. New York, McKinneys CPLR s4545) More importantly, we believe that everyone must recognize that none of the victims of this terrible tragedy can or will ever be made whole. Therefore, there should be little or no concern that these victims will be unjustly enriched. Moreover, one of Congress objectives in creating this unique fund was to encourage victims to apply to this fund rather than resort to traditional litigation. Reducing compensation through so-called collateral source payment offsets could provide an incentive to not use the fund for relief, but instead to use the courts. Whether in kind and/or material contributions could or should be considered collateral sources? No. Under the accepted meaning of collateral source, in kind contributions are not included. In the Acts definition of collateral source in kind contributions are not mentioned and the list of illustrative examples consists exclusively of programs and payments of specific items of economic loss. Whether potential future collateral source payments are ones that individuals are entitled to receive for purposes of Section 405(b)(6)? As indicated above, we believe state law controls this. New York, for example, requires that in order to find that any future cost or expense will, with reasonable certainty, be replaced or indemnified by the collateral source, the court must find that the plaintiff is legally entitled to the continued receipt of such collateral source, pursuant to a contract or otherwise enforceable agreement, subject only to the continued payment of a premium and such other financial obligations as may be required by such agreement. Whether claimants are entitled to receive credits for premiums paid and the cost of securing fringe benefits that are offset as collateral sources? Yes. State law controls this question. Most states with collateral source statutes, including New York, provides plaintiffs with credit for premiums or other consideration paid to purchase the applicable collateral source. For example, if a claimants decedent had paid $20,000 in life insurance premiums to purchase a life insurance policy, it would not be fair to reduce his familys compensation from the fund by the full face value of the policy when he paid a significant sum to purchase the policy. Whether collateral sources entitled to a lien against plaintiffs recovery should be excluded from the definition of collateral source? Yes. State law controls this question. Most states with collateral source statutes, including New York, exclude as collateral sources those payers that are entitled to lien against the recovery and have a procedure for making those determinations. The same rules should apply here. Periodic payments to eligible individuals. The Act is silent regarding whether payments to eligible claimants will always be in single lump sum payments or may consist of the purchase of annuities that will thereafter make payments to the claimants over a period of time. Structured settlements are an accepted means of providing compensation to victims in similar circumstances and should be available to those claimants who accept the wisdom of that alternative. CONCLUSION Thank you for the opportunity to make these comments and suggestions. This Act provides our government a unique opportunity to provide real and deserved compensation to all of those unfortunate victims of the September 11th attack. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Public Citizen at your convenience. Sincerely, Comment by: Public Citizens Congress Watch September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-21 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 dojW000451.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. 2001-11-21 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, March 21, 2002 1:00 PM 911 Benefits I'm writing, as a member of the clergy, out of concern for same-sex partners of vicitims in the 911 attack. I understand that they will not be eligible for financial support from the Victim Compensation Fund unless their state has a domestic partner recognition program. This is a tragic mistake that only contributes to the hatred that first spurred this attack. I hope this can be corrected. Please verify that this information is true and inform me of whom I can contact with my concern. Individual Comment Minneapolis, MN September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-21 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 dojR002542.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. 2002-03-21 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, December 21, 2001 1:00 PM Help all victims of terrorist attack 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 September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-21 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 dojN000476.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. 2001-12-21 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, November 15, 2001 1:46 PM Sept 11th Terrorist Attack To whom it may concern, My husband, was lost in the September 11th terrorist attached at 1 WTC, My husband was the sole wage earner and I have 3 small children ages 5yrs and under. I have received information from the Trial Lawyers Care on the September 11th victim compensation fund 2001, and I have some disagreements regarding the compensation fund distribution of funds, they are as follows: 1) Why do you want to limit what the compensation will be based on what has already been collected by the victims families (such as any benefits; life Insurance; State crimes victims etc.)? This should not be based on the lawsuits that will occurr over time. 2) Osama Bin Ladens assests should not be attached to the September 11th fund of the package introduced by Congress, if victims families decide to sue Osama Bin Laden personally they should have all the right to due so, based on the evidence the United States took action on. 3) Why did the US put a freeze on Osama Bin Ladens assets or organizations that he is affiliated with,if he was not responsible for this terrible act of terrorism against the United States of America? 4) Why should an average family be backed into a corner to receive whats rightfully due to the victims families, to accept this package? 5)Any assets that the government freezes from Bin Laden should be distributed to the victims families with no strings attached. 6)Why do middle working class people who lost loved ones have to be put in a position to make a decision on this package that Congress will be voting on? Don't you think we've been through enough already! 7) I am looking for the future for my children to be taken care of, 3 years from now this will be forgotten and I wonder how will I be able to take care of my children? I will not forget so easely since my husband was taken from us for no reason at all? Can someone answer this for me? 8) In order to releive some of the victims family woes is to waive estate taxesto all the victims families. Can this be possible? Individual Comment Staten Island, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-15 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 dojW000357.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. 2001-11-15 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, January 23, 2002 8:07 PM Comments My name is , I am the mother of , who lost his live on Sept 11th. I at least had a conversation with him at 903am. At that time he said "Mom, I have to go there is fire everywhere". I like others were under the impression that help was on its way. As you well know, help never arrived. You see my son worked on the floor of WTC 1 for . My son caught the earlier train into New York from Wayne N.J. He went in earlier that day because he had a scheduled vacation day on Friday Sept 14th. On that day he and my daughter-in-law and their two young daughters were to close on their first home. On Sept 11th, his dream of owning a home never came true. He was one of many who lost their lives on that horrific day for no reason. My son's dream as a child was to live and work in the city. When he was given that chance a few years ago to work on top of the world, (that is what he called it) he jumped at the chance. He always said that opportunities don't come around that often. My son was just starting to make a name for himself. His title was , one of his responsibilities was to design a network in which trillions of transactions from all around the country were maintained by this network. My son was one of those people who was self taught. We as parents of the fifties could not afford college for him. He never thought bad of us for not being able to send him to college. Throughout the years he took some college courses. When he was twenty years old he went to work for a large corporation. Through this corporation he was able to take night courses. But as life went on for him, he was unable to keep up is classes due to his work load. I would like to mention that when he first started in this company, he started in the mail room and then worked himself up to work in a Information Technology group. When he first tried for the job the interviewer was a little hesitate to hire him, but after my son starting to talk about technology the interviewer was taken back by my sons knowledge that he hired him immediately. He was thrilled because the other candidates who interviewed for this job held a college degree. My husband and I could not afford to put him through college. We both had to work, so when got married he vowed that his wife would not have to work because he was on his way up in the technology field. It was only the past five years that companies had seen the potential in . We as parents were so proud that he was able to grow within an organization and also get paid for a job well done. By the time he left the company that he had worked for twelve years he was making $36k, at the time of his untimely death he was making $85k plus bonus. He loved his work, he enjoyed in learning new technology each and everyday. He was a walking library. He was admired by all for his knowledge and common sense. My daughter-in-law is now a widow at thirty-three and my granddaughters will not have the opportunity to have their Dad see them graduate from kindergarten, high school, college or even walk them down the aisle when they get married. We as parents will never see him get old. We will never have the opportunity to our family name carried on for future generations. He was a loving son who would do anything for anyone from zero to 100 years old. He never saw color in people, he only saw people as people. Just imagine having dreams for your loved ones and all of a sudden all of those dreams are taken away. Why did we as a country let our guard down. We as a country are too trusting and now we who lost loved ones as well the entire world have to live with seeing the towers collapsing. As a parent I feel the pain everyday, knowing that at 9:03 Am that morning and hoping an praying that he was going to make it. Once his tower collapsed we never gave up on hope. After days went by we knew we would never talk or see him again. It is hard as a parent to explain to anyone about losing your child and seeing the whole horrific attack on television with your own eyes. We who lost loved ones will never be able to escape Sept 11th, our loved ones spouses and children will never be the same. My son had a future. He was only thirty five years old and was on his way up in the corporate structure. The monies that are being offered make a monarchy out of his life. You can't put a price on his head. He had great potential. He still had thirty years ahead to contribute to society. You see his first dream while in high school was to be a history teacher. He knew the reality of teaching, but he knew that he would not financially be able to survive and support a family. The reason being that our educators are underpaid. When he had days off from work he would go to 's nursery school and read the young children stories. was so proud of her Dad when he read stories to her classmates. My concern is for my daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. My son would have wanted me to pursue this. He knows that I will make sure that my family and others will and should be compensated. Why is it when someone sues for an injury they get thousands and they don't have to give up anything. To me and as well others, this whole compensation that the government is offering to us is not just. We the victims families don't have any rights. My son thought about his future, he had a life insurance policy on him because he was the breadwinner in the family. Why should he have been penalized for preparing for his future. Now if my daughter-in-law decides to take what the government is offering she has to forfeit her monies. Where is the justice in all of this. If my son were alive and with the potential he had he would have made double of what the government is offering. What is just compensation for giving your live for your country and leaving behind a wife, children and other family. I don't feel that we are being treated justly. Why should my family take a back seat while the government bails out big business like the airlines and other large companies who can not manage their money. But these same big businesses live high off of the hog while the little people have to struggle just to make ends meet. I believe as others, that everyone human being who lost their live on Sept 11th, should be treated equally. You can't put a price on life. People from all walks of life, some highly educated, others with little or no education to the people who swept the floors and cooked the food in the cafeteria should be treated the same. They were all human beings. I don't want to have to beg, it is not necessary. Sometimes I think that if my daughter-in-law and granddaughters were to take advantage of what is being offered that it would be like compromising with the devil. They should not have to do that. My son got up everyday to go to work because he wanted to make a difference in this world. He was a proud American, when he first took the job with we were not happy with his choice. It was nothing against but we all were afraid because of the job was in New York but on top of that on the floor of the trade center. He convinced us that we as a country should not live in fear. If we do, that would mean that the terrorist won. Since Sept 11th, my husband and myself as well other family members have been to New York at least five times. Now I know why my son loved the city. We use to be afraid, but now I can hear say, don't live in fear. Sir, please reconsider the compensation package that you are offering the victims families. My daughter-in-law and grandchildren just want to be able to live a comfortable life like our son had planned for them. They as well us will always have a stigma attached to our lives because of Sept 11th. The only family that my son's wife and children have are us. We are up in years and are unable to help.Please reconsider the compensation distribution to all of the families. Thank you Individual Comment Haskell, NJ September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-23 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 dojP000036.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. 2002-01-23 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 06, 2001 10:43 AM Setember 11 Victim Compensation Fund Dear Mr. Zwick: I am writing in response to the Department's request for public comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for implementing and administering the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund." I strongly urge the Department to draft regulations that ensure compensation is available to all victims of the attack, including the committed partners and the non-biological children of gay and lesbian victims. It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and economic losses suffered by the families of gay and lesbian victims are no less than that of other families. Just as the terrorists drew no lines in choosing their victims, our country must draw no lines in compensating those who suffered the most personal of losses from these horrific attacks. Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each of whom left behind loved ones. I urge the Department to honor these bonds by treating the families of gay and lesbian victims as you would any other. Sincerely, Individual Comment Brooklyn, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-06 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 dojA001138.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. 2001-12-06 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. Sunday, March 17, 2002 3:01 PM I Am Outraged! To Whom It May Concern: It has recently come to my attention that you will not be automatically providing benefits to partners of gay and lesbian victims of September 11th due to the laws that do not recognize them as legal beneficiaries. However, it is clear to me you are readily giving funds to illegal aliens who are in the country, breaking our own laws. How can this unfairness exists and why is this discrimination allowed, when we are encouraging all americans young and old to stand together against evil and terror. Brave men and women of all races, religions, color, and sexual orientation died and many of their loved ones have been left behind in need of our support and understanding. It is clear to me that you are continuing the cycle of hate and separating America with your discriminatory views and actions. I have donated a lot of money to this fund and feel that it should go to all of the victims' partners whether or not they were heterosexual, gay or lesbian. The guidelines you have decided to follow appear to benefit illegal aliens while leaving a percentage of the legal law-abiding citizens high and dry. This action is clearly immoral if not illegal in most states. I regard this action as deplorable and pray you find the ability to rectify these wrongs before they come back to haunt you. 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 dojR001453.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 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 19, 2001 10:48 PM Victims Relief Fund December 19, 2001 Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick, I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need." Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks. Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality. Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11 attacks have equal access to the relief fund. Sincerely, Individual Comment Petaluma, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 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 dojA003877.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. 2001-12-19 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 19, 2001 7:56 PM equal access for survivors 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 Stockton, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-19 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 dojA003764.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. 2001-12-19 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, December 21, 2001 1:36 AM Support Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits for Surviving Gay and Lesbian Partners! 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 Imperial Beach, CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-21 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 dojN000197.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. 2001-12-21