dojA000589.xml

dojA000589.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-04

Tuesday, December 04, 2001 9:36 PM
Sept 11

Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice

Dear Mr. Zwick,

I am writing in response to the Department's request for public comments regarding the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. I strongly urge the Department to draft regulations that ensure compensation is available to all victims of the attack, Including the committed partners and non-biological children of gay and lesbian victims.

My partner and I have five children together. We are married and all the children consider us both to be their moms, If any thing happened to one of us the other would do what any surviving spouse would do. Because we are both women would not make our grief and loss any less, it would not eliminate the financial responsibilities of our family. Please do not penalize these people because they loved a person of the same sex. Perhaps it would be helpful to, as my mother used to say, "remember the golden rule" DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.

I urge the Department not to exclude these grieving children and partners.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Austin, TX

2001-12-04