R001296
Sunday, March 17, 2002 12:05 AM
The Compensation Fund:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
The courage, bravery, and sacrifice of so many Americans who died on September eleventh 2001 now presents us with the duty to compensate their loved ones; now suddenly and tragically left living without their loved spouses and partners.
I am particularly concerned about the fact that the survivors of gay and lesbian heroes (for example: who helped bring down flight 91 in Pennsylvania, F.D.N.Y. who died in the line of duty when the first tower fell, and who was of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon, and many more) will be overlooked and under-compensated because "the law is the law and no exceptions can be made?"
None of these heroes were discriminating against any of their fellow Americans when they courageously gave their utmost, and ultimately their lives for our country, on this tragic day!
How could we, as their fellow Americans disregard, devalue, and "second class" their sacrifice? This would be flat out: Wrong! Their survivors, partners, spouses, life-partners (whatever one would call "them") deserve the same amount of victim compensation as any other citizen of the USA, a fetus, and even an illegal alien (who will be receiving benefits currently).
Please don't add serious insult to the monumental injury that the survivors of gay and lesbian Americans are facing by denying them the same compensation and benefits that others are entitled to!
My heart is filled with compassion and gratitude toward all the survivors of those who died on 9-11. Let us endeavor to do what is right! We should help the surviving partners of ALL those whose sacrifice we all are benefiting from at this moment!
Were it not for the sacrifices of gay and lesbian people on 9-11, we may be looking at a totally different scenario.
Regards,
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