dojN000533.xml

dojN000533.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-21

Friday, December 21, 2001 2:24 PM
Fair Treatment for Survivors of Sept 11th



>>
>>To Mr. Feinberg:
>>
>>I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving
>>families of the tragedy on September 11th, including the children and
>>families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.
>>
>>Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond
>>trader earning millions of dollars per year might receive thousands of
>>times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of the
>>restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last
>>paycheck to the inherent worth of all those killed, so that a high
>>minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be
>>a double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then
>>watch as most of the taxpayer money went to those who were already well
>>off in the first place.
>>
>>The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay
>>and lesbian relationships and families. Gay and lesbian families are
>>especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the option of
>>marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the
>>traumatic predicament of having to prove that their union is legitimate.
>>Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New York have already
>>announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian
>>families. The Department of Justice should do the same.
>>
>>Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you
>>will act on these very important issues.
>>
>>Sincerely,
>>
>>Individual Comment

2001-12-21