W000380
Sunday, November 18, 2001 9:55 PM
Comments on the Implementation of the Victim's Compensation
Bill
To the Department of Justice:
I am writing on behalf of my sister, , whose husband was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11t. Like many others worked as a bond trader at on the 103rd floor. now has three small children ages 3, 5, and 7 to care for and support alone. I cannot begin to describe the anguish, sorrow and exhaustion that she is enduring and will endure for many years to come.
I understand that some of your constituents have written to say that the people affected by the attack "should not get rich from this tragedy." People also seem to believe that individuals like (brokers, traders, etc) were quite well off before this event and do not really need any help. I cannot tell you how hurtful and unjustified these views are to all the victim's families. People also assume that these families are receiving tremendous about of aide from the various charities. I have seen first hand the tremendous effort, paperwork and humiliation that has accompanied small amounts of aide. I know my sister is ready to give up on receiving help from this source because of what is involved.
My sister and the other survivors are having to worry and endure so much right now, that they should be spared this terrible uncertainty about their future. The Victim's Compensation Bill was a wonderful ease the worries of the survivors, compensate them for their losses, and prevent costly and protracted legal battles. However, the victims' losses should be fully analyzed and their long term needs be carefully considered.
While my sister received sufficient life insurance to cover her family's needs for the next 2-3 years, she has a lifetime in front of her to support them . Since her children will need tremendous support and attention for years to come, she will for not be able to seek full time employment for some time. And even when she does, her earning potential will never reach that of her husband.
All these issues need to be considered in determining how much each family is entitled to receive. I urge you to consider the current pain and long term worries and needs of the survivors as you implement the Victim's Compensation Bill. If there is any cap placed on compensation, it needs to be much more than one million dollars. To many people that sounds like a lot of money, but it will certainly not support a family for all the years in front of them. Also, I urge you not to subtract any charitable contributions to these families. The time and energy alone that survivors have put in to "earn" this money should be sufficient sacrifice.
Please do the right thing for my sister and all these families. They have endured so much and shown such courage, but they have many years ahead of them.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Ipswich, MA