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 10, 2001 The Honorable John Ashcroft Attorney General of the United States 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Re: Victim Compensation Fund Dear Attorney General Ashcroft: Thank you for your leadership during this critical time for our nation. We are grateful for your tireless efforts since September 11 to prosecute terrorists and to ensure our nation's security. As you and other officials defend our freedom, we urge you to continue protecting the family as a source of strength within that freedom. This attention to the integrity of the family is especially important within the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Now that a Special Master has been appointed, we would like to express concerns about the administration of the fund. You have expressed confidence that "under [Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg's] leadership, the program will be administered in a manner that is sensitive and fair to the needs of those who have suffered as a result of the events of September 11th." Our hearts and prayers are with all of the victims of September 11th, including their family, friends and loved ones. We trust that Special Master Feinberg will administer the fund in a manner that is sensitive and fair, and, most importantly, consistent with the laws of the United States. The language of the legislation creating the Victim Compensation fund is unmistakably clear in setting the parameters for who is eligible to receive compensation from this fund: SEC. 403 PURPOSE It is the purpose of this title to provide compensation to any individual (or relatives of a deceased individual) who was physically injured or killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. In the United States Code, the term "relative" is usually defined to include parents, children and spouses, sometimes grandparents, but always some variation within blood, marriage, or adoption. Nowhere in federal law does "relative" include "domestic partners," civil unions, roommates, or close personal friends. In fact, the term "domestic partner" is nowhere to be found in the United States Code. Furthermore, the Defense of Marriage Act makes clear that ephemeral state law developments have no bearing on the federal law regarding marriage: Title 1, Chapter 1 § 7. Definition of "marriage" and "spouse" In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the Untied States, the word "marriage" means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word "spouse" refers to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife. To disregard the law and extend compensation to domestic partners opens the door to unending complaints and criticism, from both the relatives and unrelated intimates of the victims. Dilution of the fund by including those who do not qualify as relatives is neither fair nor sensitive to the intended claimants. Whether homosexual or heterosexual, the concept of compensating a "domestic partner" is one that directly undermines the important institutions of marriage and family. As you well know, not every loss is cognizable under the law. The tragic events of September 11 should not be used as a pretext for expanding the gay agenda at the expense of marriage and the family. We support you in your role as Attorney General of the Untied States of America as you seek to uphold the laws and Constitution of this country. Our earnest hope is that you and your colleagues will ensure that the Constitution and laws of the United States will be respected, followed, and enforced and that the radical political agendas of vocal advocacy groups will not deflect you from your sworn obligation. Thank you for your leadership to that end. Sincerely, Comment by: Family Research Council September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2001-12-10 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 dojA001742.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. 2001-12-10