dojR000527.xml

dojR000527.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-12

Tuesday, March 12, 2002 9:10 PM
911 funds


Mr. Feinberg:

I write to you as a concerned citizen with an eye to human rights and to history. You state that you will not allow partners and dependents of gay victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to share in the compensatory funds due to their lack of equal protection under State law(s). I urge you to reconsider your position. Consider for a moment the status of African-American citizens in the South during the Jim Crow era. What if the federal government had not seen fit to get involved, for fear of lawsuits filed under State laws at that time?

You find yourself in a unique position-one that most of us would gladly occupy-where you might be a positive influence in societal change. One day, hopefully soon, we will look back on our collective treatment of gays and lesbians as the embarrassment that it is. How do you imagine feeling then, as one who might have crafted progressive policy during your tenure at the Department of Justice, and yet missed this opportunity?

Yes, if you take this stand, you will probably be sued. Let them sue. It will undoubtedly increase your workload. So be it. Did you really not consider that eventuality when deciding where to pursue your career? It is not your job at the Department of Justice to take the path of least resistance. It is your obligation, as a guardian of the public trust, to do what is right-not what is merely expedient.

Sincerely,


Individual Comment

2002-03-12