N002534
Message:
Constituent comments on
The Interim Final Rule Implementing
pl 107-42. Congressman Sununu asks
That you carefully consider her thoughts.
Thank you.
January 17, 2001
Congressman Sununu,
I would like to express my concerns regarding the September 11 Victim Compensation
Fund of 2001. My faith in our government has long been instilled upon my by my parents
and I believe it was Congresses' intent to treat the victims families fairly. Not in excess,
but fairly while also protecting the airlines and other entities. Whether I agree with this
tactic is not important at the moment. What is important is that the current regulations of
the Victim Compensation Fund fall far short of the intent.
I am a Republican and do not believe in entitlements, but it is my right as a citizen of the
United States to seek full compensation for my husband's death. This right was severed in
the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act when Congress limited the
airlines and other entities liability to their insurance limits thereby leaving me with no
recourse but the "Fund". If the current regulations are not changed I will receive nothing.
Under the economic portion of the Victim Compensation Fund 's financial worth is
grossly underestimated, if my economists are correct 75-100% off the mark.
The retirement age of 62 is unreasonable. at 62 would have still had one of our
daughters in her 2nd year of college. Retirement would not have been an option and as an
engineer he would have done consulting for many years if he had received mandatory
retirement from .
I am not sure I can put into words how offended I am with the "Collateral Sources" that
are to be deducted. Life Insurance was saved for and paid for by us, not the government.
's pension plan was earned by him alone and I will not collect this for 23 years. 23
years is a long time, who knows what could happen by then. Travel accident insurance
was paid for by on behalf of their employees. The only collateral sources that
do not entirely bother me are those payments I am receiving from the federal government
i.e. Social security. All others are an offense. was a hard working, sensible man.
We saved diligently and live very modestly. What we have was saved for and paid for by
us in case the worst happened. It did and now the Victim Compensation Fund is
punishing me for that. President Bush has long been an advocate of getting the money
i.e. Social security back into the hands of the people to invest and save as they see fit.
Why bother when it is held against you. It is incorrect to try to equalize people
financially. Why should someone in the same salary range as who decided to go
on vacation instead of buying life insurance get more from the "Fund" than I will.
Congressman Sununu please do whatever you can to pressure the Department of Justice
and Special Master Feinberg into changing the current regulations. I do not believe it was
your intent to penalize the victims of the tragedy of September 11. Renew my faith.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Hudson, NH