dojR002910.xml

dojR002910.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-19

March 19, 2002

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

RE: September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Dear Mr. Zwick:

I am writing to express my sadness that you have made determined that the partners of gay and lesbian heroes of September 11 will not necessarily receive the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual victims of the horrible terror attacks.

It is my understanding that even fetuses and illegal aliens will be receiving benefits under this problem - you even promised to overlook federal law and NOT arrest and deport the families of illegal aliens, nor will the Government punish American companies that hired illegal a in violation of federal labor laws.

But when it comes to gay and lesbian heroes of the day - who helped bring down the flight in Pennsylvania, who died in the line of duty when the first tower fell, and who was of the plane that crashed into the (there are many more) - we are told the law is the law and no exceptions can be made.

If September 11 has taught us anything, it's that our patriotism and love of country transcend our differences and unite us all. We were told that September 11 was the day that "hyphenated-Americans" were no more, and rather than being Italian-Americans, African-Americans or gay-Americans, we were now simply Americans, all of us together as one American family. Apparently, that family just got a divorce.

On behalf of the hundreds of gay and lesbians men and women who died, including , I urge you to reconsider this mean-spirited and
divisive decision. I am sure that upon reflection, you will do the right thing, and fully include the partners of the gay men and women who died as patriots on September 11.


Sincerely

Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA

cc: President George W. Bush

2002-03-19