N002416

November 28, 2001

The Honorable Kenneth Feinberg
Civil Division
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington 20530

Dear Mr. Feinberg:

Congratulations on your appointment to run the federal compensation fund. Attorney General Ashcroft picked the right man for the job.

We write to support you in any way we can in deciding how, under federal law, to distribute the $11 billion dollar victim compensation fund. For your information, Common Cause had been working with New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer on issues related to public oversight and input on the millions of dollars of money that charities have raised for the victims of September 11 and the aftermath.

Given the sweeping powers that your office will have to draft the fund's rules and procedures, oversee the operations, and to personally sign off on all the awards made to claimants, it is important that every effort is made to ensure that citizens do not perceive that any of the funds are wasted or mismanaged. Moreover, fairness to all victims, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, must be assured.

Simply stated, the American public must be secure in the knowledge that taxpayer dollars are being used for the purposes for which they were intended.

Because of the oversight responsibilities, which you have, you are in a position to ensure that the public has confidence in the governmental entity responsible for overseeing the funds.

In light of the extraordinary circumstances and because the amount of money is unprecedented, we urge you to continue to review the hundreds of written public comments about the fund and meet with victims rights groups, plaintiffs lawyers and officials from leading charities

We also recommend that you consider establishing a citizens' commission or advisory board that would assist you in fulfilling your oversight role. Such a commission - made up of publicly respected individuals of recognized high ethical standards - would help increase public confidence that these funds are being used in the public and common good, not siphoned off for questionable or unintended uses. It would also assure the public that an appropriate authority is exercising legal oversight over this unprecedented situation.

As a former Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the head of a non-profit advocacy group that has 30 years experience in dealing with public input and citizen advocacy, I know how difficult it is to assume and play a leadership role in complicated and emotionally charged matters. However, as you know, it is vitally important to take constructive action to guard against public cynicism and disillusionment.

Common Cause stands ready to assist you in any way we can.

Sincerely,

Comment by:
Common Cause
Washington, DC


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