A001528
Wednesday, December 12, 2001 9:23 PM
victim's compensation
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 of
Justice to draft regulations that do not exclude the families, committed
partners and non-biological children of lesbian and gay victims.
I don't think I need to remind you that one of the heroes on Flight 93 was a
gay man with a family. Republican Governor Pataki recently signed
legislation to prevent such discrimination in compensation in the state of
New York. In this nation's time of crisis, the last thing we need to do is
say that some victims are more legitimate and deserving of compensation than
others. We need to pull together to support all victims of terrorism, not
create divisive rules that pick and choose which families are worthy and
which ones are not. Such practices and legislation would fly in the face of
what it means to be an American, and insult those survivors who have already
been through so much hurt and turmoil. I only hope the Department of Justice
will live up to its name and ensure fair compensation legislation to honor
ALL American victims in their death, regardless of how they lived their life.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
South Pasadena, CA