dojA005211.xml

dojA005211.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-15

December 15, 2001

Fair Treatment for the families of the Victims of September 11th

I am writing to ask you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy of September 11th, including the children and families fo low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.

I have learned that under traditional rules, compensation is based on income, so that 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. This is outrageous. Please dispense compensation in such a way that the families of low wage earners receive at least as much as wealthy families.

Please also recognize the partners and families of gay and lesbian victims as legitimate family, deserving of as much compensation as people whose relationships are recognized and sanctioned officially. 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,

Individual Comment
Eglin, IL

2001-12-15