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2001-11-24

November 24, 2001

Mr. Kenneth L. Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the procedural rulemaking of the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund Program. We are a large group of families who have lost our loved ones in the attack
on the World Trade Centers. Enclosed in this transmission, please find a copy of the letter outlining our
comments in reference to the administration of the Fund. While this Fund is promoted as having been
established for our benefit, it was realistically developed to limit liability of airlines and associated potential
defendants of the September 11th tragedy, and to prevent their financial collapse. It was developed to offer
us an incentive not to sue. We are sincerely hoping it will succeed in its objective.


Attached also are some of the personal letters of those endorsing these comments and opinions. They are
the letters of those of us who are most involved, who are suffering the greatest loss. They are a reminder to
you that this tragedy affected real people, real spouses, real children, real parents. we believe that it is
imperative that you do not lose sight of that fact as the difficult task of regulation development gets under way.

Again, thank you for your this opportunity and for your time in reading and considering our concerns.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Chatham, NJ

Attachment 1:

November 26, 2001

Mr. Kenneth L. Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

Five thousand people were murdered on September 11, 2001. They left that morning to work at the World
Trade Centers and the Pentagon and were at their desks by 8:30 AM. Some said "I love you" as they left, some said "see you later", and some said "don't forget to put air in your tires." None came home that night. None will come home anymore for the rest of forever.

In response to the Justice Department's request for public comment on the "September 11 Victim
Compensation Fund" established by the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, we
respectfully submit the following. However, before we begin our substantive comments, please allow us to
make you aware of one fact. Be very clear in knowing that there is nothing you could possibly do on this
earth that could compensate us for the loss of loved ones. You could offer us one billion dollars each, lump
sum, and we would trade it along with all our worldly possessions to have them back, to have them home.
The Victim Compensation Fund is purported to be an attempt to "make whole" the families of the victims
lost in the attacks. Unless you have supreme power which will result in the return of our loved ones,
"making whole" is impossible. Alternatively, we are hoping this legislation results in a fund which truly is
an incentive for families not to pursue litigation. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to comment.

RIGHT TO A HEARING

The legislation as written does not make clear whether or not we will have right to be heard before a
hearing officer of Special Master. Only we can present the specifics of our personal situation and loss and
therefore rightfully deserve the opportunity to do so. This would include the right to be represented by
counsel, to present evidence, to offer personal and expert testimony, and to present our expectation of relief.
This would require each case to be heard and considered individually. While this may be time consuming, it
is the only way to insure that each family suffering this loss is fairly represented and thus fairly compensated.

ECONOMIC LOSSES

We strongly oppose any cap on the amount recoverable through the Fund for economic losses suffered as a
result of the death of our loved ones. Husbands and fathers worked long hours, sacrificing the precious
time they had left with their families and children, to earn the salaries and bonuses accrued every year. This
income is forever gone; to reduce it in any manner is contrary to the statutory attempts to "make whole" the family suffering as a result of this disaster.

The computation of the amount of lost wages should be similar to that used in personal injury actions.
Retirement age should be set at 68 and the decedent's age subtracted from there. Gross income should be
averaged over the past three years. The resulting income and years to retirement should be multiplied
together for a starting point for computation. Factors such as inflation, wage increases, merit advancements
and any other benefits that would have earned had the victim's lived should be considered and added to the base amount.

NON-ECONOMIC LOSSES

We, again, strongly oppose any cap to the amount recoverable through the fund for non-economic losses
suffered as a result of the most public, painful and horrific deaths of our loved ones. Each case must be
evaluated individually and must take into account specifics such as the number of the decedent's children
and their age, the severity of the pain and suffering of both the victim and his family members, and the
severity of the loss and pain to be suffered as a result of reliving this tragedy as a moment in history for the rest of our lives, for the rest of their children's lives.

It is worthwhile to note that families with substantial pensions, with a lost spouse nearing retirement age, or
with income received as a result of the death of the victim would be unable to benefit from this Fund unless
the recovery under this section is substantial. There would be no incentive to pursue a claim offset to pecuniary loss or minimal benefit. Litigation in this instance would obviously be pursued.

COLLATERAL INCOME

We strongly oppose and are greatly disturbed by the clause in the statue which requires any distribution
under the fund to be offset by the "amount of collateral source compensation the claimant has received or is
entitled to receive...[including] life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs..." Since this is a
governmentally sponsored fund, we find it understandable and acceptable to reduce the amount recovered
under such by the monies received through other government programs. However, reducing the amount
distributed by proceeds of life insurance policies personally purchased by the decedents is unreasonable and
contrary to public policy. It establishes a system of disparate treatment among the victims in that it
penalizes some for investments made through personal purchases, while excusing others. For example,
victims who increased their families' assets through personal purchases of stock or related investments to a
level where life insurance was not necessary, would be able to collect from the fund as written with
minimal offset. However, those who planned to increase family assets through life insurance would have
the same distribution substantially reduced by the amount of the life insurance proceeds. If an individual
purchased a rare painting for his estate planning, sold after his demise at a substantial financial gain for his
heirs, his families' distribution under the fund would not be reduced. Yet distribution to the family who
purchased life insurance instead, if regulated as planned, would be offset by the proceeds. It is quite simply
an unequal and unfair provision.

The government may not investigate and penalize against the personal purchases of individuals. We do
enjoy the right of protection of liberty in this country, we have the right to earn a living and spend our after
tax dollars as we see fit. Supplemental life insurance, obtained with personal funds, must not be included in
the provisions which regulate distribution reductions under the Fund. If revising the language of the statue
is not an option of this Committee at this juncture, or not an option until properly challenged, we submit
that reduction of the distribution under the Fund by a percent of the proceeds of employer sponsored or funded life insurance would be acceptable compromise.

COLLATERAL INCOME/IRA'S, CHARITABLE DONATIONS

Pension funds, IRAs and 401K plans are essentially savings accounts of another name funded with the
personally earned money of the decedent. The choice of one's particular occupation or allocation of his
income gave rise to the monies available at retirement or death in these accounts. Again the issue of
disparate treatment arises. Individuals who saved in a standard bank sponsored savings account suffer no
reduction from distribution under the Fund. Individuals who allocated their savings of personally earned
income to retirement accounts suffer reduction of the total amount in savings to that which would be
distributed under the Fund. In deference to the governmental involvement in IRA's, et al., money owed due
to preferential tax treatment of savings in retirement accounts could be reduced from Fund allocations, but
principal determined to be from personal savings must not.

In the end, we lost our loved ones because they worked in a national landmark. The terrorists chose these
buildings, the World Trade Centers, because they symbolized the American economy, the freedom of
capitalism. It was an act of war on America and the American people recognized this. As a result, in an
effort to support our country and to unite with those who suffered the greatest loss in this tragedy, the
American people donated hard earned money to ease the burden of those of us left to suffer this loss for a
lifetime. Donations were generously given as a form of healing for both donor and receiver. It is
reprehensible that the very charities trusted with the responsibility to honor the wishes of the American
people see fit to withhold the donations for personal objectives, yet to have the government attempt to
belittle the gesture of its own people even further is as horrific as the tragedy itself. The money donated is
toted as "a gift from the American people." Since when does our government have the right to investigate
our personal gifts and require the recipients to "pay them back"? Charitable donations must not be
considered a source of collateral income to reduce the amounts distributable under the Fund. That is not in
the spirit of which the donations were given. Restitution of the amounts by a reduction in Fund allocations
would serve only to financially benefit the government. If that is what people of this country had intended, they would have sent their checks to the government first hand.

RIGHT TO APPEAL

On of the liberties we enjoy in America is the right to an appeal. In cases heard before a judge in trial and
in most heard before a hearing officer in an administrative agency, respondents enjoy the right to appeal the
decision. Plaintiffs would have the right to appeal a decision on varying levels if litigation were pursued
in response to the events of September 11. Denying one the right to appeal the decision of the Special
Master is not an incentive to consider merits of the Victim's Compensation Fund. And it is contrary as well to the standard practices of adjudication of this country.

Finally, we would respectfully request that payment under the fund be paid in one lump sum and as directed by the claimants. For example, sums paid to a victim's minor children should be permitted to be made in trust with vesting as determined by the minor child's guardian.

CONCLUSION

Thank you again for this opportunity to comment on regulations which will bear great effect on our lives
and the lives of the children of the victims. We have suffered the greatest of losses because we live in
America and because our loved ones worked in the symbol of American capitalism. We are changed
forever, we bear the burden of other's hatred of our country's ideals more than anyone at this moment in
time. Think of the children as you write and finalize the regulations associated with the Victim's Compensation Fund. Think of the children, not partisan loyalties. Think of the children, because if you do not now, you will have lost the opportunity to support your fallen families forever.

Sincerely yours,

Individual Comment

Attachment 2:
November 26, 2001

Mr. Kenneth L. Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

My name is . My husband, worked for on the floor of One World Trade Center and was murdered by terrorists on September 11th. He called me twice, first at 8:30 a.m. to ask how
his son was feeling and then again at 8:50 a.m. There was fear in his voice as he said "the building's been hit by a plane." I could hear the chaos in the background and he then told me he was in the stairwell, they had cell phones and the smoke was really bad -- he was trying to get out. We said a tearful "I love you" and then "good-bye." I never heard from him again. His remains have not been recovered. He was 41.

We have three children. They will never see, play with
or hug their daddy again. They will grow up with fear and hatred in their hearts. My husband will never
hold them or watch them grow up, and I will never feel his arms around me or have his support in raising a
family. They will grow up with horrific images of that day and know people who hate us did this to us and
our government let us down. Their belief in God has been shaken, their trust that America is safe and secure
shattered, their joy of life crushed and their lives have been permanently altered. They were so innocent and
now they are so scared. They cry themselves to sleep at night and wake up with nightmares. There are no
words to described how horrible our lives have become because of this disgusting tragedy. We are lonely, frightened and heartbroken.

They have been cheated, please don't allow them to be cheated again. Think of all the children and help secure their financial futures since their worlds have been completely destroyed.

Please accept the comments and opinions of the attached letter as my own. Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Chaham, NJ

Attachment 3:

Attorney General John Ashcroft
Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen, New Jersey
Honorable Robert Toricelli, Senator from New Jersey
Honorable Jon D. Corzine, Senator from New Jersey
Honorable Bill Young, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee


Dear Sirs:

I am writing to urge you to implement the September 11 Victim's Compensation
Fund of 2001 quickly and to the full extent intended by the Congress, the President
and the people of the United States.

The events of September 11, 2001 have forever changed this country. All Americans
experienced the terror of watching the devastating acts of violence in New York,
Washington, and Pennsylvania. All Americans felt the pain of this deliberate attack
on our country.

My family experienced the worst possible horror. At 8:48 a.m. on that fateful
Tuesday, my husband, called home from his office in the World
Trade Center. I was taking our children to school, and was not home to hear his last
words. Instead, he left a message, telling me he was on the floor and that he
was trying to get out of the building, but could not. That was the last I heard from
him.

My life, and my children's lives, will never be the same.

and I had just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. We were happily
raising our three children, .
We were all gearing up for the new school year. was set to start nursery school on September 12th, a day both he and had been anticipating with great
excitement.

Instead, my children just celebrated their first Thanksgiving without their daddy.
Tomorrow, we will sing Happy Birthday to and wish his father were there. I
myself celebrated my 36th birthday on September , just days after the attacks.
Instead of a joyous day, I steeled myself against the truth, and told my children that
Daddy was now an Angel in Heaven. One week later, we held a memorial service at
the same church were had been preparing to teach Sunday school.

My children will have to adjust to a life very different from the one had
worked so hard to provide. Instead of two parents to clap for him in his after school
music performances, will rely on the encouragement of friends.
who learned to ride a 'two-wheeler' this past summer, will need the neighbor's Dad
to help her with athletic interests. And, who searches the night sky each
evening for his "Daddy's star," will grow up with only the most distant memories of
the man whom he resembles so closely.

Now I face the future alone. Having left the workforce 8 years ago to raise our
children, I now worry about finding a job to support my family. Such a change would
be hard under any circumstances. I am very scared of how hard it will be to find
work in the current economy.

In addition to these worries for my future, my daily life is now filled with
unimaginable bureaucracy and interminable paperwork. The usual tasks associated
with the death of a loved one are all the more difficult given the circumstances of
sudden loss in the midst of a national emergency. I struggle to maintain some
normal routine for my children, as I fill out form after form and wait on line after
line.

I do not know what I would have done without the support of close friends,
neighbors, and the kindness of complete strangers. I also know that such generosity
cannot last. I worry about the bills. How will I cover the mortgage, car payments,
food and clothing costs for three children? What if one of the children gets sick?
What if I get sick and cannot work? These thoughts keep me up at night, even as I
mourn the loss of my beloved husband.

I urge you to act as the conscience of the American people guided Congress to do in
late September, when the September 11 Victim's Compensation Fund of 2001 was
signed into law. My family, and the thousands of other families directly affected by
the attacks, deserves the full support of the United States people.

No financial compensation will never bring back my children's daddy or make my
family whole. But the swiftest, most intact, provision of compensation to my family
and others will allow us to mourn our losses and begin to move forward. Doing do
will allow us the slightest bit of security in these enormously insecure times.
Providing the funds as originally authorized will allow those of us from whom the
events of September 11 stole loved ones, whose families paid the highest possible
price, to slowly regain our footing, to slowly return to a new normalcy.

Other Americans are beginning to act as both Congress and the President have called
on them to do - to step forward in the face of terror and to fight back by returning to
their routines. My family hopes also to return to a routine. Ours will be a new one,
crafted around the permanent hole where my husband should be, and the gap that can
only be filled by loving memory. I ask you to do what you can to alleviate the
financial burden, as I, and my children, struggle with the emotional toll.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Chatham, New Jersey

Attachment 4:

November 21, 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

My name is . My husband is . worked for on the floor of the Wold Trade Center and was
murdered on September 11th. I was months pregnant on that Tuesday. I had kept him up on Monday
night because I as not feeling well. He was so concerned and helpful, as always. This baby is our first. We
have been married for over five years and together for about 15 years. He had just turned 31 on September
6th and could not have been more excited about finally becoming a daddy.

He called me and left a message at about 8:30 that Tuesday evening. He wanted to make sure I was feeling
better. He also said that he wanted me to look at an interesting article on the Internet. He never actually
said what it was in reference to. His last words on the answering machine were "call me later."

I cannot stop thinking of this. The fact that he thought that there was going to be a later for him. After all,
he was just at work and there is no danger in that. I never heard from him again. All I can think of is how
scared I was for him that day and everyday since then. The thought of him being in pain or being scared
and knowing at one point that he was going to die haunts me. I can only imagine that he was thinking, God,
please watch over my baby and my family.

I cannot accept that will never get to see his child. He will never hold his baby close to him and sing to him as he often would do to my belly after we found our we were pregnant. He worked very hard to insure that we would have everything that we needed and then some. I admire and respect him for that. I lover him
for the incredible person that he was. He was always helpful to all people, always wearing a smile, always
so real and genuinely human. People were drawn to him.

and I lived oversees for about 5 years. We were in London first and then in Tokyo. had sent him oversees in 1995. We came back from Tokyo just before January of . I will never forget so many
people being so happy and telling us the same thing -- "we are so happy that you are both coming home,
back to your country where you will be safe, finally."

I am so sick over the thought that such a thing could happen. I am so sick of hearing that we will not allow
terrorists to win by backing down and not going on with our lives. The reality is that they did win. They
took the one most important part of my life away. They took my husbands life and turned it into a tragedy,
a horrific disgusting tragedy.

In the midst of this tragedy, I thank God everyday for the blessing of a child. After I thank him I ask him
why this happened? I ask him, how will I explain to our little boy who his daddy is and why he is just a
photograph? I ask , if he is looking down on me, to give me the strength to do the right thing to ensure that our child has a brighter and more secure future. And finally, I pray to God about a million times a day that , and all of the wonderful people that were killed that day, did not suffer and that they died fast, with no pain.

Please accept the comments and opinions of the attached letter as that of my own. Thank you for this
opportunity to comment on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment


Attachment 5:

November 21, 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

My name is . My husband, worked for on the floor of Two World Trade Center. Like any other
day, we commuted together to work, except I had an offsite meeting that day at Brooklyn Marriott instead
of going to my office at the World Financial Center. Regardless, it was still just another day -- we kissed
and said, "See you later, Honey" as we went our separate ways. Little did I know those would be our last
words to each other. had just turned 37 years old exactly a month before that fateful day.

We had just gotten married last year and we were so looking forward to spending our lives together and
raise a family. In fact, we are expecting our first child at the end of February 2002. That week of the
tragedy, and I were to find out the baby's gender. We would be so happy whether it's a girl or a boy, but we wanted to know. I went to the appointment without . would have been thrilled to know that I am carrying a boy.

My life will never be the same without . I keep thinking one day when our son is old enough to realize that his father is not here to play ball with him or to watch him grow up. How will he feel and how I will have to relive these days as I explain to him that these monsters were not properly screened and entered the
US to terrorize innocent citizens. All Daddy did was go to work.

Please accept the comments and opinions of the attached letter as that of my own. Thank you for this
opportunity to comment on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
******************

****************

Attachment 6:

19 November 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

Thanksgiving is just days away and I will be without my wonderful husband, the father of my three young
boys. The pain is unbearable and this is just the beginning.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, my husband left our home, as he did every day, at about 6:30 am to catch the train to the city. He was a corporate bond broker for on the floor of World Trade 1. At about
8:40 am called me -- his usual morning call to see how our morning was going. He called me many times
a day just to say hello. Our phone call was abruptly disconnected. Shortly thereafter (at 8:49am) called
me back, clearly on the cell phone. He said, fairly calmly, , we think a plane just crashed into the building. We're on the ground and we are going to evacuate. We're getting out of here, going to try to go down." I said, "Hurry up! Get out of there. I Love You." I never heard from him again. Having lived through the
1993 bombing of the same building, I was certain I would hear from him in a couple of hours, after all that's
how long it took for him to climb down the last time. Then I saw the events unfold, much like watching the
Challenger explode. Except this time my loving, wonderful husband was inside that smoky, burning
building, probably quickly and frighteningly knowing his fate. Especially as the second plane hit the south
tower. After 1993, he, like others, went to work everyday trusting that he was safe and secure that terrorism
would never strike his building again. How could this have happened?

was 39 years old, the father of our three boys, ages . His 40th birthday would have been on Sept. . Instead of celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary on October , I had a memorial
service honoring his wonderful life which was cut too short. My boys talk about their Dad everyday and
are so sad that he was a part of our lives for such a short time. Someone needs to be held accountable for
this horrific act. And we need our government to support us and not defeat us.

Please accept the comments and opinion of the attached letter as that of my own.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Manhasset, NY




Attachment 7:
November 22, 2001

Dear Mr. Zwick,

I sit down to write this letter on the morning of Thanksgiving day. The irony here is this year our thanks
are not foremost in our minds. My home is void of my husband, father of my two little girls, and .
While others rush around busy with celebratory preparations we try to piece a semblance of a life together.
My husband has not yet been found among the remains of his horror.


I can't imagine anyone having to second guess our eligibility as claimants. No amount of money can
compensate for our loss. My daughters birthday was this week, when I asked her what she would want she
said, only "My daddy." Were strongly against any cap being placed on monetary loss. How can a person
determine the level of our pain.

I thank you from our hearts for hearing our comments. In trust that they will do the right thing.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment


Attachment 8:

November 21, 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

My husband was an employee of and worked on the floor of One World Trade Center. On September 11th, he left for work at 5:00 a.m. as he had done most mornings for the past 20 years. He called me at 8:20 that morning to wish me a happy birthday. That was the last I heard from him. He was 46 years old. I was not one of the very few wives who received a call from their husbands after the brutal terrorist attack. I did not get a chance to say a final goodbye.

My husband of thirteen years left behind three young children. years old. My
sons will never again have their father coach their basketball or baseball teams as he had done many times
in the past. It was a struggle for him to make it home from the city in time, but he managed to do it. My daughter
especially misses her father at bedtime, when he would read her stories and cuddle with her until she would
drift off to sleep. This was all brutally taken away from them. My life without my husband is full of grief and yet I
must go on for the sake of my children. I am sure that in his final moments of life he thought of the strength I possess
as a woman and mother, and knew that eventually his family whom he loved more than anything, and which
was the reason he went to work that morning would persevere.

I find it disheartening that at a time of such overwhelming grief, I am forced to appeal to my government-the very government that was supposed to protect our nation and its citizens from such an attack. I believe this event
is the result of evil and religious fanaticism, but I also believe it was the result of a total breakdown in our
intelligence and security.

Because of the incredible amount of paper work that has come as a result of this tragedy, and the new
responsibilities that I now have to assume as a single parent of three, I am unable to write a lengthy letter expressing my
personal comments on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. The attached letter expresses my opinion and
that of my family. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment

Attachment 9:

November 20, 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
U.S. Department of Justice
95 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

My name is . My husband, worked for on the floor of the World Trade Center. The morning of September 11 began not unlike any other morning. awoke and got ready for work, kissed me goodbye, said, "I love you", and left to catch the train to Manhattan. That was the last I would ever see or speak to him again.

We were married for eight 1/2 years. We were best friends. Not unlike many other married couples, we
made many sacrifices in pursuit of "The American Dream."

worked for for 2 1/2 years. During that time, he spent one 1/2 years running their Frankfurt office, commuting every other weekend to the states so that we could be together. He had only returned home permanently in September of 2000. We immediately began our long awaited renovation of our home, a solid sign that our dreams were finally coming to fruition. We celebrated its completion this
past July.

and I have no children. That was an opportunity taken from us on the morning of September 11, 2001. I am 36 years old, he was 37.

I find it incomprehensible that such a security breach and murderous act could possible take place in our
home land. As an U.S. tax-paying citizen, it is infuriating to me to know that our hard-earned dollars have,
and continue to be spent in foreign lands helping to aid and protect those that contribute nothing to our
country. It is difficult to conceive of this continuing foreign relief effort, while there are thousands of us
here in America in need.

I have to believe that the government who failed so many of us on September 11 is going to make every
effort to restore our lives, our dignity, and our faith in The United States of America.

Please accept the comments and opinions of the attached letter as that of my own. Thank you for this
opportunity to comment on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment


Attachment 10:

November 20, 2001

Mr. Kenneth Zwick
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Zwick:

My husband, worked for on the floor of One World Trade Center and was killed on September 11, along with all the other victims of that horrible day. Although I did not hear personally from my husband, the fellow who
worked next to my husband got a call out to say that they knew they were hit by a plane,
that they were having a hard time breathing from the smoke and that they were headed
for the roof. The horror of their experience is immeasurable.

We have two children, and who miss their father very much. He was a
very devoted and hard-working Dad, spending a lot of time with them, and coaching
lacrosse, soccer, and basketball teams through the years. He was teaching my
daughter to golf and after her cross-country meets they had planned to spend these fall
weekends golfing together. was my husband and my best friend and we planned to
watch our children grow up together.

I feel a grave injustice has befallen my husband and the victims of September 11. This
was not the first attempt at WTC destruction and my husband, along with others were in
the bombing of 1993. This was not the first time a plane was hijacked. I feel that there
were grave mistakes made on the part of our intelligence agencies, our government
regarding terrorism and regarding plane safety. Our country failed to protect its citizens
to the best of their capacity. The people who returned to those buildings in 1993 felt that
they would be protected and the best job that should have been done to do that was not
done. They have been made the sacrifice in order for proper realization of what should
be done to protect our citizens on land and air. The sacrifice also now falls on the
shoulders of the families left to deal with the agonizing horrific trauma of this event.

Please accept the comments and opinions of the attached letter as that of my own. Thank
you for this opportunity to comment on the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Manhasset, NY

2001-11-24