dojW000064.xml

dojW000064.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-11-06

Tuesday, November 06, 2001 12:19 PM
Please Reduce Payouts from the Victims' Fund based on
Charitable Donations

I am a US citizen who, in addition to paying taxes as required, makes regular generous contributions to multiple social and religious charities. (As a characteristic example, last year my charitable contributions exceeded $26,000, representing more than 19% of my 2000 income.)

In the wake of the September 11th tragedies, I have given to several victims'-related causes, but those contributions have been made with some amount of trepidation due to my concerns about how the funds will be administered and coordinated. Though it would be impossible for any amount of money to make up for the human loss endured less than two months ago, I am concerned that it is VERY LIKELY that inequities will prevail and that some will end up much worse off than others.

It seems that the only way to attempt to ensure some type of justice in financially compensating the victims of this tragedy is to tally ALL sources of remuneration, including charitable contributions, that the victims receive. I fear the outcome otherwise.

For example, has received tremendous publicity and sizeable contributions to its Relief Fund based on the enormity of their loss, their CEO's notoriety, and their connections to well-heeled individuals and institutions -- this in the midst of most of these employees' having had decent incomes, life insurance policies, homes in the suburbs, and the like. (For example, , their CEO, is currently paying $46,000 PER MONTH in rent while awaiting completion of the restoration of his multi-million dollar home in Manhatten.)

In contrast, the grieving relatives of the janitors, cooks, and bus boys who worked the WTC complex, Windows of the World restaurant, and even the kitchen, have not had the same advocates, resources, nor publicity to very successfully generate Relief Fund contributions for their lost. And their families are likely in much tighter -- or even desparate -- circumstances.

My point is that, without considering ALL sources of compensation in the wake of September 11, there will likely be great disparities and inequities that occur in the administration of the Victims' Fund. PLEASE "add it all up", to help make the process and outcomes as equitable as possible.

Thank you for inviting my and my fellow citizens' input. I trust you will make prudent decisions to ensure JUSTICE in both the approach and the results of this difficult task,

Individual Comment
Alameda, CA

2001-11-06