W000741
November 26, 2001
The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
I am in agreement with the approach you are taking in soliciting wide public comment in fulfilling
your legislative mandate to promulgate regulations governing the distribution of funds voted by
Congress and approved by the President for victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11.
I write to express my view on one aspect of this important set of questions, which is before you.
I urge that in creating the category of those who qualify as "survivors of someone lost in the crashes:,
(Topic 5, Notice of Inquiry), we can best carry out the intent and spirit of the law by compensating all
of those who suffered both grievous emotional loss from these murders, and significant financial loss as
well.
I believe that the Federal government should provide such compensation as is appropriate to all
of those who had a close relationship with the murdered victim and whose own financial position will be
adversely affected by the death. Relevant indicia of such a relationship include, but not limited to: a
shared residence, shared bank accounts or other financial instruments, joint membership in a health
plan, a significant sharing of living expenses, etc. Obviously this will cover a wide range of different
personal relationships, and we believe that this coverage is wholly appropriate in this instance.
You have my support in this endeavor and I look forward to hearing your final decision on this
issue.
Sincerely,
Margaret M. Markey
Assembly Woman, 30th District
Queens, NY
November 26, 2001
Kenneth L. Wick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Fax: 301-519-5926
Re: September 11th Victim Compensation
Fund of 2001
Dear Mr. Zwick:
The legislation providing for distribution of Federal funds for victims of the terrorist attacks of
September 11 sets out very broad guidelines for eligibility.
In defining the category of those who qualify as "survivors of someone lost in the crashes", I
urge you to carry our the intent and spirit of the legislation by including all those who suffered grievous
emotional and financial loss.
Appropriate compensation should be available to any person who had a close relationship with
the murdered victim and whose own financial position will be seriously adversely affected by the death.
Relevant indicia of such a relationship should include a shared residence, shared bank accounts, or
other financial instruments, joint membership in a health plan, a significant sharing of living expenses, etc.
This would cover a wide range of personal relationships, which is wholly appropriate in this instance.
This is the approach taken by Governor George E. Pataki here in New York State, where so many of
the victims lived.
The purpose of the legislation is to extend a measure of compensation to those who were
particularly victimized by these mass murderous assaults on our country. The purpose is not to separate
people by their personal relationships.
Very truly yours,
Richard N. Gottfried
64th Assembly District
New York