A004268
Thursday, December 20, 2001 11:45 AM
support for all who deserve it
December 20, 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
Rochdale, MA