A000723
Wednesday, December 05, 2001 9:19 AM
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Zwick,
I am writing to ask the U.S. Government to follow the example already set by New York Governor Pataki in 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." It is imperative that the Justice Department include among the 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. Their pain is no less, their loss is no less, and their access to justice and equality in the aftermath of this crisis must be no less. From the brave young gay man who lost his life on the plane attempting to save the lives of innocent people... to the gay priest who lost his life while ministering at Ground Zero... to the many lesbian and gay employees working in the World Trade Center... it is vitally important that our government treat all of the families with dignity and respect and equality.
I thank you for your consideration in this matter and urge you to support this decision.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Lilburn, GA