W000299
November 8, 2001
Re: Victims Compensation Fund
While everyone realizes no amount of compensation can replace a loved one, we must also realize we
do not live in a perfect world and bad things will happen along with the good things in life. On Sept. 11
we saw one of the worst things in life occur. Now what do we do? We have seen over the past several
weeks since that terrible day how the great resources of this country-its people-react with the
outpouring of love and unity along with billions of dollars for aid to the victims and their families but is
this enough? NO! Now it is time for us to step forward with the aid of our government and our tax
dollars with additional help where needed and thus the need for and the reason for this fund.
Unfortunately, it is also a time when the greedy and the unscrupulous will step forward for their personal
gain. One of the major task of the program administrators will be to see that this group is held in check.
How do they do that -I do not know. How do you reach a fair and just compensation that would be
"right" for everyone, you can't. I would just like to make the following comments and ask that God
Bless you in this tremendous task.
First, let's consider that all funds involved, funds already provided from various charitable gifts and the
tax dollars which will create this fund, are coming from fellow citizens. I think each citizen would want
as much of each dollar to go directly to the victims and/or their immediate family as possible. Thus,
number one priority should be to keep the expense operating this fund to a very minimum. Being a
government program, I realize this will be a different approach from the norm but I challenge you to
please attempt same. A starting point would be to administer this program as a complete and final step
re compensation. In order to accomplish this, I feel the Attorney General should request from
Congress, and receive, permission to make the final offer and there would be no appeal of any type
from anyone. This method would also keep the lawyers out of the picture and thus 100% of the
compensation would go to the victims and at a much faster pace.
Second, when trying to determine amount for each victim, again the funds from charitable gifts and tax
dollars of this fund should be considered as these are the dollars made available from the citizens for
this purpose. However, any life insurance (other than workers compensation), pensions, and other
funds of this type should not be considered as these funds would come from each individuals efforts to
provide security and protection for his family. Also, when trying to determine the amount, let's be
realistic and not emotional as the purpose should be to make these families whole (financially) but not to
use this tragedy to enrich them beyond where they could have expected to reach had the tragedy not
occurred.
Third, let's be sure to look after the children! Set up some type of educational fund that will be
available for each child to continue their education beyond high school, be it college or a trade school.
These funds should not be made available until the child enters the educational facility and then paid
directly to the school so that the funds would be used for their intent and not misused.
Finally, the difficult task of seeing that the families of all victims received aid from this fund in a fair
manner will be very difficult. However, I feel confident that you will have the personnel available to
accomplish same and thus help the families "look to the future" with as little hardship as possible.
The above section of this letter was written in "rough draft" before I left my office yesterday afternoon.
When I got home last night and was reading the newspaper, I read the attached article. I think it points
out the major problem that you will face - lawyers afraid that this method will erode much of the
position they have created over the years past. I even stopped to ask myself if maybe the "rights of the
public" the "individual freedoms" and other areas that our justice system has created could also be
partially to blame for this terrible act in that business are afraid to maintain tight security in some areas
because that would infringe on individual rights and freedoms and thus put them in the position of being
sued? This is getting into another area which I will not address at this time.
In closing, I would say that I agree with the proponents ideas in the attached article by Mr. Glaberson.
I can see a more fair system being created with the only ones being less compensated being the lawyers
who are not victims in this tragedy so why should they reduce the financial aid to the true victims with
their tremendous fees? Let us help the ones who need our help. We have taken a giant step forward
with billions of dollars being made available - please get it to those in need as a result of this tragedy.
Thank you for asking for public input and thus allowing us an opportunity to express our feelings. I am
sure you will receive comments from the extreme ends, some who will feel that this was not the fault of
the government (and I agree) and will not want tax dollars used (and I disagree) in any manner and will
offer good reasons why they should not be used while others will out of sympathy want you to provide
millions for each family. Where is the correct balance? As I have stated before, this is not a perfect
world, and while the USA is the best part of this world, bad things happen everyday and we have to
accept this as a part of life. There have been many tragedies, while not on this scale, and the country
has moved forward and we will do it this time also with God's direction and blessings.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Wendell, NC
ATTACHMENT 1
The News & Observer
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Lawyers Spar Over Victim Fund
Grid system could set precedent for cases
By William Glaberson
THE NEW YORK TIMES