A001567
Thursday, December 13, 2001 3:00 PM
Fwd: Urgent! Flash Activist Network Alert
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
Austin, TX