dojW000486.xml

dojW000486.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-10-25

Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515

October 25, 2001

The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear General Ashcroft:

On September 21, 2001, Congress pased H.R. 2926, the Air Transportation Safety System Stabilization Act (now Public Law 107-42), a critical first step toward ensuring the future vitality of commercial aviation in America and throughout the world.

While H.R. 2926 provides immediate assistance to the industry, it also addresses Congress' urgent
responsibility to ensure fairness, justice and compassion for the human victims of the horrific events of September 11, and for their families. Title IV of the Act establishes a September 11th Compensation Fund to be administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General of the United States.

We write to urge you to appoint that Special Master expeditiously but with due diligence. As you know, Section 407 of the measure requires that you, in consultation with the Special master, promulgate regulations to carry out the activities of the fund within 90 days of the bill's enactment. To that end, it is vital that a Special Master be appointed quickly.

We feel strongly that the Special Master you choose must have the support and confidence of the
Senate and the House and of the elected representatives of the victims in particular. Title IV vests an enormous amount of power and discretion in you and in the Special Master. The regulations you promulgate and the way you administer the fund will have enormous repercussions for the victims and their families.

The Special Master you select must have extensive experience, extraordinary judgement and legal
ability, broad respect within the legal community and bipartisan support in Congress. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you consult with us prior to select the Special Master and promulgating regulations.

Our nation and congress have come together, heeding the president's call for unity in action and spirit in the wake of terrible events of September 11. We know that you will appoint the Special Master and promulgate the regulations in that same spirit of cooperation and consultation, and we stand ready to assist in this effort. We look forward to communicating in the very near future to discuss this process.

Attached you will find proposed regulations we would like you to consider for the September 11th
Compensation Fund.

Yours respectfully,

2001-10-25