N000579
Tuesday, December 25, 2001 7:06 PM
Urgent!
> Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
> September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
> U.S. Department of Justice
> 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
> Washington, DC 20530
>
> To Mr. Feinberg:
>
> I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment
> for all surviving families of the tragedy on
> September 11th, including the children and families
> of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.
>
> Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the
> survivors of a bond trader earning millions of
> dollars per year might receive thousands of times as
> much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher
> in one of the restaurants destroyed. Justice
> requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the
> inherent worth of all those killed, so that a high
> minimum compensation level is set to lessen the
> disparities. It would be a double blow to the
> survivors to first lose their loved one and then
> watch as most of the taxpayer money went to those
> who were already well off in the first place.
>
> The second major issue has to do with recognizing
> the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and
> families. Gay and lesbian families are especially
> vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
> option of marriage is unavailable, these families
> may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of
> having to prove that their union is legitimate.
> Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
> York have already announced that they will not
> discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The
> Department of Justice should do the same.
>
> Thank you for considering my comments. I look
> forward to hearing how you will act on these very
> important issues.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Individual Comment