A005532
November 29, 2001
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530
RE: Comments on the Rulemaking for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
Dear Director Zwick:
You are, thankfully, in the process of creating the September 11th Fund to provide compensation for the losses of relatives of those who died, and those who were injured.
It is crucial for the many grieving families that the regulations that implement this program permit all deserving relatives to recover including committed partners or non-biological children of gay and lesbians victims ofthe terror attacks. For those whose family relationships do not meet certain strict formal legal definitions, the enormity of the loss of a beloved companion or parent could be compounded by the prospect of that they will be ineligible for compensation intended for their protection. The Department of Justice should not permit this potential inequity.
I urge the Department to include amont relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners or de facto parents or children, regardless of sexual orientation and marital status. A suggested method for effectuating this policy has been laid out in the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund's November 21, 2001 letter to you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Individual Comment
Minneapolis, Minnesota