dojA005444.xml

dojA005444.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-18

December 18, 2001


Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530


Dear Mr. Zwick:

On behalf of the 900 synagogues of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations,
encompassing over 1.5 million people across North America, and the 1800 rabbis
of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, I am writing in response to the Justice
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.

Our tradition is guided by the very basic belief that all human beings are created
b'tselem Elohim (in the Divine Image). It is written in Genesis 1:27,"And God
created humans in God's own image, in the image of God, God created them; male
and female God created them." We oppose discrimination against all individuals,
including gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, for the stamp of the divine is present in each
and every one of us.

In October, New York Governor George Pataki showed fairness and compassion in
issuing an Executive Order granting survivied parents of gay and lesbian victims of


the attacks equal benefits from the state's Crime Victims Board. The Commissioner of the New
York State Department of Taxation and Finance indicated that lesbian and gay families will be
given consideration when funds are distributed from the state's World Trade Center Relief Fund.
Major private relief organizations, including the American Red Cross, the United Way and the
Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund, are also granting survivor funds benefits and services to the
partners and families of gay and lesbian victims.

Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each of the victims left behind loved ones. I
urge you and the Department to follow the examples of the State of New York and many relief
organizations by living up to America's highest values - that our government is a government
for all Americans - by promulgating regulations which do not discriminate against victims based
on their sexual orientation.

Sincerely,

Comments by:

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Washington DC

2001-12-18