dojA002011.xml

dojA002011.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-15

Saturday, December 15, 2001 11:15 AM
Fair compensation for Sept. 11th victims

Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

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 and a nauseating miscarriage of justice
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. As a
taxpayer, I do not want my money to go to people who are already
wealthy. In my opinion, they do not need government-assistance, because
I'm sure they are already well provided for by their own investments and
insurance policies. While they have suffered an equal emotional
tragedy, they have not suffered a financial tragedy as well that
warrants government compensation.

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 and not
discriminate against lesbian and gay families.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you
will act on these very
important issues.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Murphysboro, IL

2001-12-15