A000454
Tuesday, December 04, 2001 6:18 PM
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund
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 forthcoming regulations for implementing and administering 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 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.
Remember, one of the real "Heroes" of the hi-jacked flight that went down over Pennsylvania was a gay American from San Francisco. I am sure that he gave no thought to how he is viewed by his fellow Americans when he did his heroic deed along side the other heroes of that flight. And we should treat him and his family with the same respect as any other of our true heroes.
It is time for this administration and the Department of Justice to recognize that Americans come in all shapes, sizes, colors and sexual preferences. Please, sir, do not fall "victim" to the of this country who would vilify any victim of the greatest disaster of our lifetime to further their hatred of gays and lesbians in our
society.
Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each of whom left behind loved ones. I urge the Department to honor these bonds by treating the families of gay and lesbian victims as you would any other.
Thank you and may God bless our country, black and white, Christian and Jew, straight and gay.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
San Diego, CA