dojR000252.xml

dojR000252.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-11

Monday, March 11, 2002 5:14 PM
Discrimination against gay/lesbian heroes


Mr. President:

Please do not permit the comments which Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, the head of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, made in an appearance on the Sunday, March 10 broadcast of NBC's "Meet the Press", to stand as administration policy:
"[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

This policy would effectively eliminate all gay couples from compensation.

Victims and heroes should not be abandoned because of their sexual orientation. This is a Federal matter, and is not under the jurisdiction of the states. The Federal government, and the Executive Branch in particular, should be taking the lead in demonstrating to the world that our system will protect its citizens, and not exclude any group to satisfy the political agenda of a few.

Individual Comment
Buford GA

2002-03-11