551 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. Monday, December 17, 2001 10:16 PM compassionate distribution of funds Dear Mr. Feinberg: A shocked and horrified public was gratified by the government's prompt creation of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Those who know of your history of conscientious and fair-minded work were further gratified by your appointment as Special Master overseeing the program. All victims of the terrorists' crimes deserve care, support, and compensation; but I write from special concern for catagories of victims who are especially vulnerable and in need. The neediest victims, and especially the children, should be our first concern; and aid should not be proportional to salary differentials of the deceased. The children are equal in their need for food, medicine, and shelter. The fund that you administer should not be allowed to follow the Republican tax legislation, an instrument to comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted. The poorest of the victims, such as the waiters and cleaning workers, leave behind the families least able to care for themselves. Many of these had been supporting even poorer relatives in other countries in the Americas. Further, gay and lesbian couples separated by death on the 11th were prevented by law from having the insurance or other protection available to married couples. The New York City and the State of New York have indicated that they would not discriminate against gays and lesbians, and it is hoped that the federal government will join them in compassionate fair-mindedness. What I have heard of you leads me to thoroughly trust your inclinations. I hope they are not thwarted by directives from the Attorney General in these very difficult times, in which our governmental actions define us as a nation and as a people. As a citizen, I send you my gratitude and best wishes. Individual Comment Copake Falls, NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-17 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 dojA002147.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. 2001-12-17 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. December 5, 2001 Kenneth L. Zwick, Director Office of Management Programs, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice by fax (301) 519-5956 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 lost their lives on September 11, and each one who died left behind loved ones. All of these families are suffering, and our nation should offer what comfort we can to them. I urge the Department to treat the families of gay and lesbian victims as you would any other. To do so would be in the finest tradition of fairness and justice to which our nation aspires. Sincerely, Individual Comment 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 dojA001412.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. To: Kenneth L. Zwick, Director, Office of Management Programs, Civil Division, U.S. Dept . of Justice Re: Comments in Response to DOJ Notice of Inquiry Regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund We welcome this opportunity to comment on the new federal compensation program to assist victims of the September 11 attacks and their families, many of whom already are receiving assistance from our member programs. The new program operated by the Department of Justice promises to provide extensive benefits to victims and their families - in most cases to a far greater degree than the states are authorized to offer. We hope our comments serve to facilitate the operation of a program that works fairly and expeditiously to assist victims and their families in their recovery from the tragedies of September 11. The membership of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards comprises victim compensation programs in all 50 states, D.C., and the territories. Each of these programs has from 10 - 35 years of experience in providing financial assistance to victims of violent crime. We believe that the states' experience in running victim compensation programs will be of value to DOJ, but we also recognize that there are substantial differences in how the states' programs and that of the federal government are constructed. In many respects, the DOJ program is unprecedented, and new issues are under consideration that require wise policy choices. We urge DOJ to finish its rule-writing process and begin accepting applications without delay. States directly involved in assisting 9/11-attack victims/families report that many people need help as soon as possible. There is every reason to move quickly to promulgate rules that clearly define requirements, procedures, and benefits, as well as to staff a program that can provide appropriate assistance to victims in filing and perfecting claims. Relationship of State Compensation Programs to DOJ 9/11 Program We first wish to emphasize that the antiterrorism legislation adopted this October places the DOJ program with the primary responsibility for assisting victims of the September 11 attacks. We call your attention to 42 U.S.C. 10602(e), as amended in October, which spells out that state compensation programs "shall not pay" benefits when a victim could have those benefits paid by either the DOJ program or by the states. While state compensation programs will continue to help victims and their families until the DOJ program begins paying benefits, the law clearly requires DOJ to take this responsibility from the states. The provision is particularly strong: It directs that when an individual victim is eligible for a benefit from the DOJ 9/11 compensation program as well as a state compensation program, the state compensation program "shall not pay" that benefit, and the DOJ compensation program shall pay that benefit without regard to the existence of the state compensation program. It reads as follows: "(e) Relationship to certain Federal programs- Notwithstanding any other law, if the compensation paid by an eligible crime victim compensation program [this refers to state compensation programs] would cover costs that a Federal program, including the program established under title IV of Public Law 107-42 [the Federal 9/11 compensation program]. or a Federally financed State or local program, would otherwise pay-- (1) such crime victim compensation program shall not pay that compensation; and (2) the other program shall make its payments without regard to the existence of the crime victim compensation program." Since the states already have paid and will continue to pay claims filed with them for compensation from the victims and families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks, the real question is whether the federal compensation program can reimburse the states for payments already made, or payments that may continue to be made while the victims'/families' claims are pending with the federal compensation program. We believe that the law would require such reimbursement -- that this is a fair reading of the relationship between the state and federal compensation programs, as determined by the Congress as recently as October of this year. State victim compensation programs heavily involved in providing financial assistance to victims and family survivors of those killed in the September 11 attacks are New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California (which extends eligibility to California residents who are family members of those killed in the attacks.) These programs can provide the DOJ program with information concerning payments made, so that DOJ can reimburse states. Other Key Points We also wish to emphasize these other key points as DOJ works to develop a program that operates efficiently and effectively on behalf of the victims and their families. Assistance to Victims. Because of the variety and complexity of the benefits available to victims and their families, the DOJ program needs to provide clear and sufficient information for filing, as well as a maximal amount of assistance throughout the documentation and claims-analysis process. This should be a non-adversarial process, as it is in state-compensation-program practice, with the objective to ensure that all claimants avail themselves of the opportunity for as many benefits as are offered. Chiefly an application form and accompany brochure should list all available benefits so as to prompt victims to consider applying for them, and DOJ claims analysts should maintain contact with applicants to answer questions, provide information, and elicit needed documentation. Eligible Applicants and Beneficiaries. We urge DOJ to consider an application process that allows all potential beneficiaries to assert claims. While the statute speaks to one filing per death claim from one personal representative, we believe that this can be interpreted to mean that multiple applications deriving eligibility from one deceased victim could be consolidated into one "filing." While practically speaking, most families will file only one application through a recognized representative, we do not believe that one personal representative needs to be burdened with the coordination of all family members' interests into one application, particularly when those families may not be cooperative, or may have differing approaches to the question of litigation vs. applying to the DOJ program. It could be far simpler to allow more than one "personal representative" to file, because DOJ could coordinate benefits so that they would not be duplicative. Benefits could be paid as appropriate to or on behalf of different family members deriving eligibility from one death, as is done by state compensation programs. (State compensation programs may issue multiple checks on one filing, to hospitals, funeral homes, and individual dependents, for example.) Hearings. We urge DOJ to develop one level of appeal within the program following eligibility decisions. If this is done, then it may not be necessary to hold a hearing in every case prior to decision making. However, absent an appeal process, a hearing should be scheduled in every case. Hearings should be informal in nature, with a goal of helping applicants perfect their claims, rather than being an adversarial process. Collateral Resources. We have described already the federal law regarding the relationship of state-victim-compensation payments to the DOJ program. With regard to other governmental benefits, such as workers compensation, Social Security, and the like, as well as private-employer medical insurance and disability and death benefits, it should be possible to ascertain readily what is paid and available to victims and families, and to reduce DOJ program benefits accordingly. However, we note that state victim compensation programs generally do not record charitable contributions to victims as collateral resources. In part, this is an approach taken for practical administrative reasons: it often is difficult to verity whether a donation has been received by a family and in what amount, as well as to determine what expense it was intended to pay. For this reason, we recommend that DOJ disregard charitable contributions paid to victims, or at least to disregard a certain threshold limit. Some states also do this with regard to life insurance payments. In the remainder of our comments, we follow the outline set forth in the Department's Inquiry dated November 1. Topics #1 & 2: Application Forms and Filing a. Application Forms. Application forms currently in use by state crime victim compensation programs can be obtained by going to this Association's web site, nacvcb.org, clicking on the Program Directory, and linking to each state's web site. However, the Association recommends that shortened claim forms are more appropriate for mass-violence crimes, such as the 9/11 attacks, where victimizations share common elements (a multitude of victims of the same event do not need to describe the crime, for instance). As one example, New York's Crime Victims Board has special forms and instructions for World Trade Center victims at www.cvb.state.ny.us. DOJ notes that the statutory requirements for information from the claimant regarding (1) proof of physical harm or death, (2) losses suffered, and (3) collateral resources appear to contemplate a detailed form and filling. While gathering sufficient detail is important, state compensation programs have found that appropriate form design, emphasizing clarity and simplicity, need not result in a lengthy or complicated application. Since standard practice among compensation programs is to verify directly from source documents, such as medical records and billing, any key information regarding the claim, the application itself does not need to require a great deal of verbiage from the victim. The goal should be getting sufficient information so that appropriate documents can be identified and either provided or located for verification, rather than requiring the victim to repeat on the form the information that will be provided by those documents. For this reason, among the most important elements of the application form is an authorization from the victim for the release of information, such as medical records, so that DOJ investigators can obtain documentation directly from hospitals and employers. We note also that such a release could allow state compensation programs to provide information to DOJ on claims filed by, and benefits paid to, individuals who may file with the DOJ program. Rather than require the victim to describe the crime, the form should focus on obtaining information on the victim's location and relationship to the crime scene. For injured victims, a description of injuries sustained is essential, as well as a listing of where treatment was received. Names and addresses of service providers, employers, and insurance companies are essential. DOJ rules should ensure that providing the victim's and claimant's Social Security numbers is mandatory, since it facilitates identification needs in many respects. It may be useful to get an alternative address/contact information, since it is not uncommon for victims to move without notifying a compensation program. The form should assist victims by prompting them with information or a checklist covering the various types of losses the program will cover, along with the different specific kinds of collateral resources that will be factored into decision making on payable benefits. Victims should not have to guess at what losses will be covered, nor have to provide information than is unnecessary. For example, if charitable contributions are not going to be considered collateral, then information about them need not be sought. Supporting documents that may be needed include a doctor's statement of disability; a doctor's verification that injuries and medical treatment are directly related to the crime, rather than the result of unrelated conditions (this also may be apparent from comparing the victim's statement of injuries sustained to the medical records of treatment provided for those injuries); itemized statements for medical, dental, and/or funeral expenses; proof of employment and income from employers and /or tax forms; and information from insurance companies, pension plans, Social Security, and other government benefits that may be counted as collateral. b. "Filing" and the 120-Day Determination Period Because the array of benefits offered by the DOJ program, and thus the accompanying documentation required, will be quite extensive, the 120-day determination period may be problematic in some cases. Very few state compensation programs operate under statutorily mandated claim determination time frames. But all states regard expeditious processing of claims as a paramount goal, and they too must overcome obstacles posed by the many applications that lack key data or documentation necessary for decision making. No claim should be denied simply because information is not provided in the initial filing. Applicants should have an opportunity to supplement their initial application, and should be given detailed guidance provided as to what is missing. State compensation programs routinely send notices to applicants asking for various documentation and information necessary for claim evaluation, in the form of standardized letters adaptable to individual circumstances. In many instances program staff also telephone applicants to discuss missing elements. The DOJ program similarly should take the initiative in contacting claimants by mail and phone to detail the precise documents or data needed to make a determination. DOJ has several options regarding the 120-day statutory determination period and its effect on problematic claims. It could: a. Consider the claim "filed" upon first receipt of the claim form, regardless of its sufficiency or supporting documentation, and toll or stop the clock if necessary to seek further documentation or perform additional analysis. b. Consider the claim "filed" only when the application is substantially complete. Applicants would be notified that specific data or documents must be provided before the claim is considered filed. The 120-day clock would commence only when the claim was substantially complete for decision making purposes. c. Consider the claim "filed," and not stop or toll 120-day clock, regardless of claim insufficiency. The program then would make whatever determination is possible at the end of 120 days, depending on documentation received. Usually, at least some determination of eligibility for some benefits could be made, without necessarily determining all possible benefits. In other words, the determination at the end of 120 days would at least notify the victim that the victim qualifies as an eligible applicant, and that benefits will be evaluated and paid as proof of loss is provided and evaluated. Each of those options has some drawbacks. Option a. may effectively eliminates the 120-day time period as a real measurement. The DOJ program would have wide discretion to decide when the clock was running and when it was not, and this could result in delays for applicants. Option b. also could work against claimants' interests, since to some degree it would be in the program's discretion to determine when the claim filing is complete. However, there at least would be some certainty that the process, once begun, would proceed within a specified time frame. We suggest that option c. is a more viable option, particularly if "determination" can be defined to mean simply a decision on the applicant's eligibility for benefits - accompanied by a payment of whatever benefits can be proven at that time - rather than a final decision on all benefits payable. Option c. is closest to general practice among state compensation programs, which routinely bifurcate the "eligibility" decision from the determination of which specific benefits can be paid. The "eligibility phase" may look only at basic facts and circumstances to determine if any benefits at all would be allowed: for example, was the victim actually present at the crime and injured as a direct result of it; or is a particular family member eligible to seek benefits. The question of which benefits can be paid, and how much can be provided, is part of a second phase, once basic eligibility is determined. It is therefore very common among state compensation programs for initial eligibility determinations to be made that do not involve a final determination of all benefits. In fact, programs encourage victims to submit applications early, before all losses may even be sustained. Program seek to make determinations of eligibility first; make payment on what they can, once that eligibility determination is made; and make further payments as more expenses and losses are submitted and verified. While this means that a claim may be "open" for payment for some time after an initial eligibility determination is made, this is not regarded as an administrative burden. We are aware that the statute specifies making a "final determination" within 120 days, and payment within 20 subsequent days. We suggest only that a more realistic goal in some cases may be for the "final determination" to be limited to the questions of applicant's basic eligibility for benefits and that payment could only be expected on such losses as are satisfactorily proved at 120 days. We see no reason why a claim could not be held "open" for payment of further expenses as they are submitted and proven. We believe this interpretation and approach, which closely follows standard state practice, would serve the interests of the victim in establishing eligibility with certainty, even if payment is not immediately forthcoming. It may be more important that the victim be afforded ample time and opportunity to seek all available benefits, rather than have a "final" decision that only addresses a few. DOJ program interests also would be served, since the program will need sufficient time to evaluate benefits fairly and fully. If at the end of 120 days, neither eligibility nor payable benefits can be determined because of insufficient information, the DOJ program decision should not be denial. Rather, the victim should be put on notice that the claim will be closed or suspended until such time as the victim provides further necessary information. A "deny without prejudice" decision is an approach used by some states. #3 Procedures for Hearing and the Presentation of Evidence Based on standard practice among state compensation programs, we recommend the following: a. Upon receipt of the application, the assigned analyst within the DOJ program reviews the "paper file," determines whether the application form is sufficiently completed, and checks what supporting documents may be missing. b. A notice is sent to the applicant seeking missing information, with any claim deficiencies communicated to the victim with a restatement of requirements. If possible, telephone contact is made with the applicant to seek this information and explain more fully what is missing. Written followup following any informal phone contact, with deadline given, is recommended. This informal interaction with the applicant usually is extremely helpful in moving the process along expeditiously. c. Upon receipt of sufficient information, a determination of eligibility and any benefits payable based on proven expenses and losses is made and communicated to the applicant. Opportunity to request a hearing is provided to the applicant, if the applicant is dissatisfied. Standard practice among state compensation programs is not to schedule a hearing until a determination of eligibility has been made, and only if the victim disagrees with that determination. Hearings are scheduled only if matters are in dispute, which can then be resolved once further information is provided and evaluated. There is no precedent among state compensation programs for appeals on questions that arise in the course of the evaluation of a claim. Unlike state practice, however, we note that no procedure is specified in the DOJ statute for hearings subsequent to a determination being made by the DOJ program; neither is any opportunity for appeal afforded. While we urge DOJ to set up at least some level of appeal within the program itself, if this is not possible, then we believe that a hearing would necessary in every case prior to a final determination. We recommend that hearings be informal in nature. While an oath may be required of applicants and witnesses, formal evidence-presentation methods should not be necessary. The hearing officer should be trained to elicit as much evidence as possible from the victim and afford all opportunity for the victim to provide further information. For this reason, hearing officers should have some training in victimization (reaction to trauma), and should be selected to some degree upon qualifications relating to their abilities dealing with people in person. A preponderance of the evidence standard is informally in use among state compensation programs. Hearings should be recorded. Transcription should only be necessary if further appeals are taken. A hearing location convenient to the victim is desirable. Hearings in at least New York as well as Washington, D.C., are certainly recommended. State compensation programs do not pay for transportation expenses to hearings, but DOJ should consider a small stipend for this purpose if the victim lives outside a certain distance from the hearing. The DOJ program should also be open to the possibility of telephone hearings for victims who cannot travel to hearing sites, as well as to travel by hearing officers to the victim when circumstances require. Scheduling conflicts will arise, and an opportunity to postpone a hearing should be afforded at least once to the victim. Advocates to orient and aid victims before and, as necessary, during hearings have proven very beneficial to both victims and compensation programs. We urge DOJ to ensure that helpful staff are available at hearings for this purpose. DOJ should work cooperatively with all federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency management agencies to obtain necessary facts regarding the identities of victims. Since police reports on individual victims likely were not taken, DOJ investigators should obtain airline passenger lists as well as lists maintained by other agencies of victims and family members claiming injury or death. DOJ should have subpoena power to compel production of documents, as state compensation program do. #4 Procedures to Assist Applicants State compensation programs generally assist the victim in determining what the victim's losses and expenses are. This is done first through an application form and accompanying instructions that list eligible expenses, prompting victims to think carefully about their claims and what they might be eligible for. Some programs have developed a handbook for victims and those who assist them, and DOJ should develop such a brochure. A newsletter or update material, available in print and on-line, would be ideal in clarifying issues as they arise. State compensation programs also have participated fruitfully in outreach meetings that provide information to potential applicants, and this may be possible for DOJ to do as well. Assistance also is provided by state compensation program staff during the analysis of applications and documents. If it appears that the victim has failed to seek funds for a benefit for which the victim likely would be eligible, the analyst may inform the victim through telephone contact as well as by mail. The DOJ program should not place the entire burden upon the victim or applicant to determine what potential benefits are available. Since the array of benefits available through the DOJ program is extensive, particularly in the realm of noneconomic losses, it is difficult to imagine applicants being able to make these calculations and presentations of losses without expert help. For many victims, this likely will involve the services of an attorney. (We note, in contrast, that very few applicants for state compensation programs use or require attorneys.) For those victims who have not retained attorneys, expertise should be available in the DOJ program to help victims determine losses, particularly loss of support calculations, as well as non economic losses like pain and suffering and loss of consortium. DOJ may wish to consider standard schedules for determining these long-term or indeterminate losses, based on recent civil judgments and settlements. Since state compensation programs do not pay for noneconomic losses, we can offer little expertise in the area. Most state compensation programs allow attorneys fees, but nearly all that do, limit these fees. Typically, the program will pay a set amount as a fee per claim, or the program will allow a limited percentage to be paid in addition to the award (usually 10% or 15%). State compensation programs do not allow payment of fees for other experts, but this because the losses generally paid are clearly defined, and caps on overall expenses do not require the need for long-term projections of losses. We note that the Social Security Administration has regulations governing its authority to pay attorneys fees in determinations of disability, and these may be worth examining. #5 Claimant Eligibility Among states, eligibility for benefits typically extends to close family members of anyone killed; anyone physically injured as a direct result of the crime, and any person with significant emotional trauma because the person faced a credible threat of injury or death, whether or not the person was physically injured. Terms such as "present at" and "immediate aftermath" would be interpreted generally to include someone who was exposed to injury or danger because of the primary criminal event, in a time frame in which destruction from the precipitating criminal act was still visibly occurring as a direct result of the force of the initial destructive act. For example, eligibility likely would extend to someone suffering a medical condition because of exposure to dust and debris that significantly injured the victim in terms of locomotion, vision, or respiration, but not to an individual to which the dust and debris were merely an inconvenience or aesthetically unpleasant. Having said this, there is some procedure among states to extend coverage to a broader class of individuals who may be emotionally traumatized, if not physically injured, because of their proximity or relationship to a criminal event. The compensation program responding to the Columbine High School shootings, for example, conferred eligibility on all students, facility, and employees of the school, regardless of their presence at the school at the time of the criminal action. We note that because benefits in Colorado and other states are limited to actual expenses - medical and counseling costs, lost wages, and lost support directly related to criminal injury or death rather than inclusive of noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering, and because overall maximums are comparatively low (the median state cap is $25,000), eligibility can be extended to broader categories of people without necessarily multiplying total costs to the program. (It is less likely that a faculty member not at Columbine on the day of the shooting, for example, would submit a claim for any medical, counseling, or wage losses because of an injury related to the crime.) DOJ, since it will be offering noneconomic losses, may have different issues to consider in broadening coverage. Further, because the benefits paid by state compensation programs cover only actual expenses and economic losses related to physical or emotional injury, it is not important to states to limit eligibility to "serious" injury. (Usually, however, only those with relatively serious injuries do apply, since those injured in minor ways often do not incur expenses.) Again, DOJ may have other considerations at stake because of the noneconomic benefits allowable under the program. It may be difficult to verify who was "present at" the World Trade Center attack. Since DOJ may be considering claims only from those who are physically injured or killed, medical and counseling records placing the victim at the scene at the time of the injury should be a primary documentation source for this information, along with death certificates for those killed. The Oklahoma compensation program found that verification of a visit to an emergency room was the best means of determining whether a victim's injuries actually were sustained because of the blast at the Murrah building. Many victims' families have registered with FEMA, the Red Cross, and other agencies, and it may be possible to cross-reference those lists for confirmation purposes. With regard to questions surrounding the role of the "personal representative" as the only party eligible to file claims in death cases, we comment again based upon state compensation program practice. We note preliminarily that a strict definition of personal representative, combined with the "onefiling-per-family" requirement, are likely to create major difficulties for the DOJ program as well as the families of victims. In death claims, state compensation programs generally may accept claims from any family member in close relationship with the victim. This would include spouses, children, and parents primarily, but also could include siblings, grandparents, step-relatives, guardians, and nonfamily members residing in the same household with the victim. (Each state's law may contain slight variations to these eligibility parameters.) There is no requirement that applications be filed by only one person or one personal representative. In fact, many programs do not even accept claims from "personal representatives" or estate executors/administrators. When more than one application is received from different family members, it is a relatively easy matter to consolidate all those applications under one claim or case, since all family members derive their eligibility from one individual. We would suggest that rather than struggle in determining who is the appropriate "personal representative," which may not be a matter settled in some estates for same period of time, DOJ should instead allow applications from more than one family member, and then consolidate all such claims into one "filing" relating to a single death, This consolidation of applications into one "filing" or claim should be sufficient to meet the letter of the law. In this regard, we urge a broad interpretation of the term "personal representative." Certainly, it is not apparent that Congress intended this applicant to be only an official court-appointed estate administrator or executor, It would serve victims' interests, as well as DOJ, if a personal representative could include anyone who reasonably can establish eligibility for benefits deriving from an individual's death. Otherwise, DOJ may spend significant time trying to determine who the sole applicant should be, when there may be more than one set of family members dependent on the deceased (wife and ex-wife, for example) - and who therefore are equally eligible to receive benefits. We emphasize the difficulty DOJ would face in ensuring that benefits go to appropriate family members, if payment could be made only to one individual or "personal representative." It is obvious that such an individual may be unable or unwilling to perform the responsibility of dividing up benefits to different individuals, who may neither be in contact or cooperative with the personal representative. DOJ's paying only one individual might spawn litigation between family members not because of DOJ benefits, but rather because DOJ practice did not simply pay people directly. We believe that following standard state compensation program practice would allow DOJ to pay benefits directly to or on behalf of multiple family members who are eligible to receive such benefits. In short, we believe it would be fairer for each victim and family deriving eligibility from a deceased victim to be allowed to apply. In reality, of cause, most victims will only have one family; and that family will submit only one application. But in those cases where multiple family members could be eligible, it is fairer to allow more than one application rather than limit the application process to one person or representative. Again, we believe DOJ could consolidate these separate applications into one "filing" or claim, for purposes of the law's requirements. We do not believe that the personal representative should be burdened with notifying all individuals who might receive benefits because of an individual's death; neither should this be the job of the compensation program. The personal representative should not be burdened with seeking signed statements waiving the right to litigation. However, it would be fair and consistent with DOJ's need to publicize its program to all potential beneficiaries, for the claimant or personal representative to provide a list of relatives who have suffered losses because of the terrorist victimization of the direct victim. #6 Nature and Amount of Compensation At a minimum, economic losses should include those payable by state compensation pro- grams; medical and dental expenses; counseling expenses for family, including spouses, parents, children (and step-relatives) as well as others living in the same household with any deceased vic- tim; lost wages for injured workers unable to work; lost support for dependents; funerals and memorials. We emphasize the need to address counseling expenses for "secondary victims" such as close family and household members. Many of DOJ's questions on the nature and amount of compensation relate to noneconomic losses, and we can provide little assistance in this area, since state compensation programs do not provide for these types of losses. However, we believe that it should be possible to develop consistent methodologies for determining noneconomic losses, relying on standard practice in personal-injury litigation, and that such information be communicated to potential claimants and the public. Consistency in paying benefits if obviously a goal to strive toward, recognizing that some variations may exist between individuals and families similarly situated. With regard to collateral sources, federal law is clear that state compensation programs are secondary payers with regard to the DOJ compensation program, and therefore should not be considered collateral resources to the DOJ program. As amended in the Antiterrorism legislation of October of this year, 42 U.S.C. 10602(e), found in the Victims of Crime Act, reads as follows: "(e) Relationship to certain Federal programs. Notwithstanding any other law, if the compensation paid by an eligible crime victim compensation program [this refers to state compensation programs] would cover costs that a Federal program, including the program established under title IV of Public Law 107-42 [the Federal 9/11 compensation program], or a Federally financed State or local program, would otherwise pay -- (1) such crime victim compensation program shall not pay that compensation; and (2) the other program shall make its payment without regard to the existence of the crime victim compensation program." This makes clear that states "shall not pay" compensation when the new 9/11 Fund can pay so for victims that file claims with the federal compensation program for expenses that either the state compensation program or the federal compensation program could pay, the federal compensation program should do the paying. We believe further that the law requires the DOJ program to reimburse states for payments already made to victims that also apply to the DOJ program for benefits that would be paid by the DOJ program. Reimbursement of state compensation programs for payments made to claimants filing with the DOJ program could be facilitated in two ways: 1. By seeking this information from claimants, when they provide information on their application to the DOJ program about other collateral resources they've received. It would be incumbent upon the DOJ program not only to ensure that this payment from state compensation programs not be duplicated in a payment to the victim, but also that the DOJ program make payment for this expenses directly to the state compensation program in reimbursement. 2. The state compensation programs could provide information to the DOJ program about claimants and the benefits paid to them, so that these benefits could then be reimbursed directly to the state programs. With regard to other collateral resources, standard practice among state compensation programs is to regard medical insurance and other state, federal, and local government benefits as collateral resources. The states are split with regard to considering life insurance as collateral; some do, and some don't, and some exempt a certain amount of life insurance while counting amounts above that level (the first $50,000 of life insurance, for example, may not be counted as collateral in some states). States generally do not count charitable donations as collateral, and do not reduce awards because of such donations. That is the approach governing the states chiefly involved in helping victims of the 9/11 attacks (specifically New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California). We believe it wise for the DOJ program also to disregard charitable contributions to victims. State compensation programs also do not deduct collateral resources unless there is certainty that payment has been made or will be made soon. Simply being "entitled" to a benefit that may not be forthcoming is of little value to a claimant. Fraud is always possible, particularly when benefits are large. States ascertain whether applications are fraudulent through a thorough review or documentation presented, and discourage such attempts through a clear statement on the claim form or instructions of the penalties for fraud. We appreciate this opportunity to provide comments, and we offer any practical assistance we and our member programs can provide in fashioning and operating the DOJ 9/11 compensation program. September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-11-29 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 dojW000752.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. 2001-11-29 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 9:33 AM Equal Access to Benefits 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 New York, NY 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 dojA002873.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 4:17 AM Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits for Surviving Gay and Lesbian Partners December 19, 2001 Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick, I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need." Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks. Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality. Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11 attacks have equal access to the relief fund. Sincerely, Individual Comment Washington, DC 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 dojA002500.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. Sunday, March 17, 2002 7:48 PM Please treat Gay and Lesbian victims equally with all others To whom it may concern: I am appalled that the benefits being extended to victims of Sept. 11 are not being given equally to Gay and Lesbian victims' survivors as they are to all others. Please reconsider this unjust and unfair discriminatory practice. Individual Comment St. Louis, MO 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 dojR001539.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. December 14, 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 Chico, CA 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 dojA004578.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. Monday, December 17, 2001 10:43 AM do the right thing . > 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. My daughter-in-laws brother worked in the world trade center and luckily he got out safely. I can't imagine what would have happened otherwise. > > 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 Hill AFB, UT September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-17 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 dojA002104.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. 2001-12-17 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, November 21, 2001 12:33 PM comments on Topic #3 and Topic #6 of Victim Compensation Fund November 20, 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 Sent via e-mail victimcomp.comments@usdoj.gov and fax: 301-519-5956 Re: comments on Topic #3 and Topic #6 of Victim Compensation Fund Dear Mr. Zwick: We are the widower and stepfather of September 11th terrorist attack victim , a 41-year-old wife and mother of two young daughters. was a passenger on American Airlines Flight No. 11, en route to Los Angeles on a business trip along with six coworkers. We are writing today to comment on the rules and regulations being drafted for the U.S. Victim Compensation Fund. First let us say that we are grateful to Congress for creating the Fund, and to all of the people at the U.S. Justice Department for their hard work in drafting the Fund's regulations. The Fund's existence is a great comfort to us and our family. Nothing could ever replace . 's children have lost the loving, caring relationship and the guidance that she was able to provide her 3½ and 7 year-old daughters. 's mother wakes up each morning not being able to believe that she can no longer talk to her beautiful baby. was a significant contributor to the income of the household. Though no amount of money could make up for what has happened, hopefully the Fund will be able to provide 's children and family with the long-term financial security they lost when was killed. We believe there are two things that could help ensure the Fund gives our family their full security: individual consideration of claims and a prohibition on deducting charitable contributions from claim awards. Individual Consideration of Claims: was an individual; she was a human being and had very unique characteristics, as did all the individuals who were lost. Each family has different economic losses related to the tragedy. It is only fair for all of these circumstances to be considered when deciding on a claim. We understand that the people administering the Fund have a limited time to hear cases. We are told, however, that there are ways to make the hearing process streamlined, yet still individualized. We ask that you make every effort to do so. Page 2 Comments of and Families deserve to have their individual circumstances heard, and to have their losses fully and individually compensated, as Congress has promised. , and of course, each of the victims, had special and different relationships with their spouse, children, parents, friends and communities, and to chart or otherwise depersonalize these relationships would be an affront. Please do not reduce the realities of familiesâ?? terrible losses to a "grid" or "matrix" system that does not take the merits of every case, and the devastating losses of every family, into account. Charitable Gifts Should Not Be Subtracted: Please do not allow charitable gifts to be subtracted from Fund awards. People gave those charitable gifts in order to help our family and others in an emergency situation. There is no reason our family, or any other victims family, should be penalized for the American public's generosity. It is hard to believe that any donor intended that their gifts be used to subsidize the Fund. The compensation the Fund provides is supposed to ensure the future of 's children and the families of others who have suffered irreparable losses. Reducing that compensation will have a direct affect on 's children's lives and the lives of thousands of other children. There is no reason that these children should be shortchanged any more than they have been already. In addition, this is not money our family would have received under the Fund anyway. Charitable gifts have covered short-term expenses that the Fund was not designed to cover â?? like the costs associated with family membersâ?? time lost at work due to the tragedy. One last note: We hope that arrangements will be made for hearings to be held in many cities throughout the U.S. so that victims are not burdened with the costs of travel. We thank you for taking the time to consider our thoughts on these matters. The job you are doing is extremely important â?? for victims, their families, and our nation. Sincerely, Individual Comment Neeham, MA Jamaica Plain, MA 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 dojW000462.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. Saturday, January 26, 2002 1:09 PM New Vote.com votes as of 01:08 PM EST on January 26th, 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, DOES THE GOVERNMENT'S AID PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES OF SEPT. 11 VICTIMS GO FAR ENOUGH?: YES: 82 votes NO: 4 votes Group Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-01-26 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojP000164.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. 2002-01-26 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Monday, March 11, 2002 12:25 PM Full Compensation for 9/11 Victim's Families Dear Madam or Sir: I was sent an e-mail this morning that stated, "In an appearance on the Sunday, March 10 broadcast of NBC's "Meet the Press," Kenneth Feinberg, the head of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (a fund created by Congress and run by the Department of Justice), said that gay partners of the heroes of September 11th will not necessarily be eligible for the same compensation as heterosexual family members who lost their loved ones." Unfortunately, I did not see "Meet the Press" yesterday morning, Sunday, 10 March 2002. I normally do watch this show, but happened to miss it yesterday. After having read this reference I certainly wish I had watched the show. If this is, indeed, true then I think it is unbelievably cruel to exclude financial relief to the partners/families of any 9/11 victims on the basis that they are gay or lesbian. The e-mail also states, "And as an indication of how generous the fund will be, even illegal aliens, who aren't American citizens and who are in the US in violation of federal law, will receive benefits. Feinberg even says that the Attorney General has promised that if undocumented aliens come forward, they won't be kicked out of the country, and their employers won't be penalized. "The attorney general, in consultation with Immigration, etc., undocumented aliens who come forward, the families will not suffer any consequences. They are covered by this program. They will get a check. The employer, where we need the economic information about the undocumented alien, will not be penalized," Feinberg told "Meet the Press. Gays and lesbians are] left out of my program to the extent that their own state doesn't include them. I cannot get into a position in this program, which has a one-and-a-half or two-year life start second-guessing what the state of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the state of Virginia or New Jersey, how they treat same-sex partners, domestic live-ins, etc. I simply say this: What does your state law say about who is eligible? If your state law makes you eligible, I will honor state law. If it doesn't, I go with the state. Otherwise, Tim, I would find myself getting sued in every state by people claiming that I'm not following how the state distributes money. I can't get into that local battle. I've got to rely on state law." - Kenneth Feinberg on NBC's "Meet the Press," March 10, 2002. "That's a long-winded way of saying that if state law discriminates against gay people, then so will Feinberg and the 911 Fund. The problem for gay Americans who lost loved ones on September 11 is that most states do not legally recognize gay relationships, and the very few that do tend to do so only for state employees, not for citizens at large. And while a handful of cities do in fact recognize such relationships, under Feinberg's formula, it's the state's law that counts, not the city's. So, in the end, pretty much everyone who died - including people who aren't even American citizens and were living in the US illegally - will be honored by the September 11th Fund as deserving of America's special recognition and thanks. The sole exception will be gay and lesbian Americans, because Feinberg and the 911 Fund wouldn't want to do anything contrary to US law. (Unless of course it involves an illegal alien who isn't even American - then apparently it's okay to bend the rules.) I think it is incredibly kind and correct to recognize the 9/11 victims who are illegal aliens, their families and the people that employ them. I applaud the fact that these people, their families and their employers will not be penalized. This is kind, this is correct. This is precisely the view that should be adopted. Please reconsider the matter of excluding the partners/families of the gay or lesbian 9/11 victims. Let us be equally kind and correct with them. If anything good is to come from the 9/11 incident, let it be that we now recognize we must take responsibility for more than we have in the past. It is now a very different paradigm. I believe it is a much kinder, loving paradigm. Please include all the partners and families of the victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster. Please do not discriminate against anyone. Thank you, Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-11 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 dojR000187.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. 2002-03-11 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, March 20, 2002 6:50 PM Sept 11th Victim Compensation Fund Dear Mr. Zwick, I am writing to express my outrage at the recent public comments about the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. It is completely unacceptable that the partners of gay and lesbian heroes of September 11 will not necessarily receive the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual victims of the horrible terror attacks. What a slap in the face to learn that while gay and lesbian partners of victims won't automatically receive equal benefits, the illegal aliens and fetuses of victims' partners will! It is outrageous to believe that gay and lesbian persons are of lesser value to our society than are unborn fetuses and illegal aliens. Those who believe in such injustice are completely prejudiced and homophobic. It is an embarrassment that you represent the American people! Reconsider the decision to provide gay and lesbian survivors with unequal, disproportionate compensation. Certainly our relationships mean more than whatever percentage you have determined we deserve as compared to the rest of the victims' families. Individual Comment Bronx NY September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR002419.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. 2002-03-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, December 04, 2001 7:42 PM Possible discrimination in awarding of WTC victims' families I urge the Department of Justice to ensure that awarding of compensation to WTC victims' families be accomplished without regard to sexual orientation or any other discriminatory criteria. Individual Comment Waco, TX September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-04 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA000515.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-04 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Friday, December 21, 2001 6:30 AM 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 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 dojN000268.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. 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 Oakland,CA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA005149.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 Compensation issue I just read an article that says the partners of gays and lesbians killed in the events of September 11th will not receive the same compensation as the married partners of heterosexual victims. The article went on to say that even illegal aliens will receive benefits. Please tell me that this article was incorrect. I cannot imagine that our country could be so cold-hearted as to deny gay Americans comparable compensation for their loss. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-11 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 dojR000145.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. 2002-03-11 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, February 20, 2002 7:39 PM Victims Compensation Bill I was married to a 26 year old beautiful woman, who had her whole life ahead of her. She did what she was suppossed too, was a productive member of society and paid her taxes. One morning - 6 days before our 1st wedding anniversary, she was murdered by terrorists. Not only do I blame the terrorists, but I also blame the US Government from not doing anything to stop this tragedy before it happened. You were more than aware of the threats to our citizens, but did not release this info. My wife worked on the floor of tower 1 and this is something we discussed on a weekly basis. She had a plan to evacuate and kept a gasmask in her desk. If she was aware of the imposed threat, we would have gone on vacation that week. But because, you the US Government failed to inform us of said threat and failed to protect its citizens from terrorism, my wife and 3000 others are dead. Then, i find out I am being forced to take a settlement from the GOVT, because they are more interested in bailing out the airlines and saving face. This totally disgusts me. And the fact that most americans dont seem to understand, is that this is not charity, but a bailout by the government so that airlines do not go bankrupt. Most americans feel that the amount of money is way to high. Let me tell all you farmers out there, we are talking about people who made millions a year. 1.65 million is not even a years salary, let alone more than most people make in thier lifetime, as others have written to you. My wifes potential was unlimited, but you are definately limiting the respect I will show the government in the future. Treat our families right. I will give back all the money , if the government comes to me and admits its mistake and role in the death of my wife. May I not be mad forever. For everyones sake. A disgusted Tax Paying Civilian Individual Comment East Stroudsburg, PA -- September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-02-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojP000541.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. 2002-02-20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Friday, December 21, 2001 11:51 AM Victims Relief Fund December 21, 2001 Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick, I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need." Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks. Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families - impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and equality. Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11 attacks have equal access to the relief fund. Sincerely, Individual Comment New Rochelle, NY 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 dojN000423.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. 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 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 Coralville, IA September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-15 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 dojA005163.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. 2001-12-15 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. 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 Candia, NH September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojA004952.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2001-12-13