N002431
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-0601
December 21, 2001
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Zwick
I am writing this letter regarding the Interim Final Rule implementing Public Law 107-42
pursuant to the Notice of Inquiry and Advance Notice of Rulemaking.
First, let me commend Kenneth R. Feinberg, Special Master, for the work he has done to
ensure that the Victim Compensation Fund provides relief for families of those killed or
injured in the attacks on our country on September 11th. Although there is no way to
truly compensate for their loss the funds will bring help to those in need.
The interim final rule follows state laws governing survivor benefits in deciding who is
entitled to the money. In some states such as Virginia this means that same-sex partners
will be left out. It is unjust not to specifically provide benefits for same-sex partners.
Same-sex partners should not be forced to submit a claim for review to receive benefits
nor should the decision on whether same-sex partners are entitled to benefits be left to the
narrowly tailored discretion of the Special Master. The rule should be re-written to
correct this inequity and provide benefits to same-sex partners on the same basis with
spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children.
Thank you for your consideration of this very important issue.
Sincerely,
Diana DeGette
Member of Congress