A002053
Friday, December 14, 2001 10:17 AM
9/11 victim comp. fund
>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
Burlington, VT