A003628
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 6:36 PM
Distribution of Relief Funds
December 19, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I write in support of equal access to benefits under the September
11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual orientation or
marital status.
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that
you apply basic international human rights standards, and the general
principle of equality, by including among relatives eligible for
compensation those who lost their life partners, as well as de facto
parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation or marital
status. The State of New York has already adopted such a policy, granting
compensation benefits "on a showing of mutual interdependence with the
victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living
expenses, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves
help in this time of need."
Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing
from you about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the
September 11 attacks have equal access to the relief fund.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Aptos, CA