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December 13, 2001


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 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.

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.

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

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
East Durham, NY
 
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Sunday, December 30, 2001 6:17 PM
Equal Treatment for Gay/Lesbian Survivors


December  30, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

As a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights movement
committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people without
discrimination, I am writing in support of equal access to benefits under
the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
New York City, NY 




 
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 11:43 PM
Sep 11 Fund

This fund should support all partners of those lost as
a result of 911, gay, lesbian, fetus, etc. 

Individual Comment
Redwood Shores, CA 

=====


 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:32 PM
Please be open to ensuring all have access to funds.


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Auburn, KS

 
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December 13,2001 


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
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blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money went to those
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The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
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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.

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

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Jamaica Plain, Ma

 
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December 15, 2001


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
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The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
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having to prove that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
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Department of Justice should do the same.

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

Sincerely,



Individual Comment
Florence,MA 

 
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Friday, December 14, 2001 11:35 PM


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 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.

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.

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

Sincerely, 
Individual Comment 
Durham, NC

 
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Friday, December 28, 2001 12:36 PM
equal rights for all


December  28, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
aptos, ca
 
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              <elementText elementTextId="385608">
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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                <text>no</text>
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          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385611">
                <text>2001-12-28</text>
              </elementText>
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            <element elementId="50">
              <name>Title</name>
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              <text>

Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:07 AM
Equal acess to relief


December  20, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,
Individual Comment
BROOKLYN, NY


 
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            <name>Title</name>
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                <text>dojA004218.xml</text>
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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385615">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385616">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385617">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385618">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385619">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385620">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385621">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385622">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385623">
                <text>2001-12-20</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <element elementId="50">
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          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="385624">
              <text>
Monday, January 14, 2002 8:33 PM
Help all victims of terrorist attack


Dear Mr. Zwick:

The very humane Fund for relatives of victims of the September 11 terrorist
attacks must include all relatives of all the victims.

This importantly should include the partners and children of same sex unions.
They suffer just as grievously for their deceased loved ones as do other
survivors, and their need for assistance is just as great.

Please do not give in to the importuning of callous homophobic groups and
individuals who would have the Department of Justice limit compensation to
survivors of heterosexual unions.  They are interested in a political victory,
not humane assistance.

This Fund is intended for humane purposes; it is not a political statement,
Mr. Zwick.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Berkeley, CA 

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            </elementText>
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            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385626">
                <text>dojN001775.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
      </elementSet>
      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
        <description>Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item.</description>
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            <name>Status</name>
            <description>The process status of this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385627">
                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="53">
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385628">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385629">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385630">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="56">
            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385631">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385632">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385633">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385634">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385635">
                <text>2002-01-14</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <element elementId="50">
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              <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
          <description>The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="385636">
              <text>Wednesday, March 13, 2002 11:08 AM
New Vote.com votes as of 11:08 AM EST on March 13th, 2002
Dear September 11th Victim Compensation Fund,
Vote.com is the Internet's most popular voting site.  Millions of people regularly express their opinions and - in just one click - automatically send their views to important decision makers like you.
Here are the latest votes on the question, DOES THE GOVERNMENT'S AID PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES OF SEPT. 11 VICTIMS GO FAR ENOUGH?:
YES: 27 votes 
NO: 3 votes 

Group Comment

 
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          <name>September 11 Email: Date</name>
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          <elementTextContainer>
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              <text>2002-03-13</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
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        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385638">
                <text>dojR000574.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
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      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
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              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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            <name>Posting</name>
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            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385641">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385643">
                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="57">
            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385644">
                <text>email</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="59">
            <name>Created by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385645">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="60">
            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385646">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="61">
            <name>Date Entered</name>
            <description>The date this item was entered into the archive.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
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                <text>2002-03-13</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <element elementId="50">
              <name>Title</name>
              <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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          <name>September 11 Email: Body</name>
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          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="385648">
              <text>
Wednesday, December 05, 2001 9:20 AM


Mr Zwick,

          The compensation funds should be given out equally to all the
survivors and families whether
or not that family is of the "southern baptist" variety. That means the
partners and children
of gay men and lesbians. Victims are victims, what they did in their
bedroom should not effect that fact.

Thank you,

Individual Comment

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          <description>The local time and date when the message was written.</description>
          <elementTextContainer>
            <elementText elementTextId="385649">
              <text>2001-12-05</text>
            </elementText>
          </elementTextContainer>
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        <elementContainer>
          <element elementId="50">
            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385650">
                <text>dojA000726.xml</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
        </elementContainer>
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      <elementSet elementSetId="4">
        <name>911DA Item</name>
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            <name>Status</name>
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                <text>approved</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <description>Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385652">
                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Posting</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385653">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
          <element elementId="55">
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 2:41 PM
Equal relief for survivors


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

Please imagine yourself in the position of many: Having to prove your
relationship in a country that does not accept your love, legally ignoring
and invalidating your bond.  The pain of losing your partner is great, no
matter what gender that person was.  The pain of having to prove against
the odds that that your love was ever real or as valid as that of a
heterosexual couple allowed to legally marry is difficult.  Even with
domestic partner registrations, many gay and lesbian couples do not pursue
this lesser venue--though they would be married if allowed.  Consider the
pain of these people with some degree of honor that would not be swayed by
fearful religious intolerances.  Honoring such judgement and "religious
morality" is what motivated the terror behind these acts to begin with. 
Please do not let that continue to be a force in our world.

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Denver, CO 

 
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:44 AM
Equality For All Americans


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Pittsburgh, PA

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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 5:30 AM
Equal access to benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief
Fund


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Newton, MA 

 
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              <text>Thursday, January 24, 2002 4:56 PM
ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THE FEDERAL VICTIMS FUND

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
YOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT THE OPERATIVE WORD HERE IS "ILLEGAL"-WHY SHOULD LAW BREAKERS BE ENTITLED TO THE SAME BENEFITS AS LAW ABIDING CITIZENS-IF HILLARY IS SO ADAMANT ABOUT THEM RE-CEIVING COMPENSATION, LET HER PAY THEM.
THANKS,
Individual Comment
LORIS, SC
 
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              <name>Title</name>
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              <text>
December 15, 2001


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 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.

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.

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

Sincerely,




Individual Comment
Los Gatos, CA
 
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Tuesday, March 19, 2002 4:26 PM


 Just a note to let you know I think it is an outraged that gay and lesbian 
partners of those who died on September 11 are not automatically going to 
receive the same benefits as heterosexual spouses. When People that are not 
even U.S. Citisens are going to recieve them. 


Individual Comment

 
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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
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              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385731">
                <text>2002-03-19</text>
              </elementText>
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              <name>Title</name>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:45 AM
Equal Access


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Leander, TX 
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                <text>dojA003134.xml</text>
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              <elementText elementTextId="385737">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="385738">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
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              </elementText>
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                <text>2001-12-19</text>
              </elementText>
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            <elementText elementTextId="385744">
              <text>

Thursday, December 06, 2001 10:14 AM
Victim compensation-Sep't 11

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

Dear Mr. Zwick,

In response to the Department's request for public
comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for implementing and 
administering the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund," I am writing to 
voice my concerns.  I strongly urge the Department to draft regulations that 
ensure compensation is available to all victims of the attack, including the 
committed partners and the non-biological children of gay and lesbian 
victims.  It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and economic losses 
suffered by the families of gay and lesbian victims are no less than that of 
other families. Just as the terrorists drew no lines in choosing their 
victims, our country must draw no lines in compensating those who suffered 
the most personal of losses from these horrific attacks.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment 
Englewood, NJ 


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              <text>2001-12-06</text>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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            <description>Whether the author created this item.</description>
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            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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