N002483
January 20, 2002
Mr. Kenneth Zwick
Office of Management Programs
Department of Justice
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Zwick:
I appreciate that your office is welcoming comments regarding the Federal Victim's
Compensation Fund. My understanding is that this act was set in place, not to help
people but to protect the airlines. This was terrorism, not one plane but four planes. It was
the government and the airlines that failed to adequately protect the people who died on
September 11th. Those that are still here deserve the government's assistance.
I credit the government for the self-promotion of this program to the press. Many
Americans think the ones left living are simply greedy. From what I read, most people will
not have access to this program for a number of reasons. Was a computer program of
victims' profiles put in place to specify who was not eligible or would not receive fair
financial compensation before finalizing the regulations?
In most situations the monetary compensation is based on the deceased person's own
initiative, whether it was a career choice, pension plan or life insurance. This was not a
house fire where a loved one perished. Your plan gives little more than emergency
personnel are entitled to under line of duty death benefits. No emergency worker chose
his or her profession for the money. It was the benefits and the hours. It allowed the time
to work a second job, pursue additional education or the flexibility to watch their children
while their spouse worked. How does your plan calculate these current and future lost
earnings?
The criteria for eligibility does not take into account the way people actually live today.
There are unmarried widows, significant others or domestic partners, including myself as
we are now called. The regulations follow the laws of the home state. Since New York
does not recognize common law marriages, this group does not qualify for eligibility. My
significant partner was 43 years old. The plans for our future did not include his murder.
I am entitled to nothing except charitable donations and I suspect the contributions have
come to a screeching halt since the press announcements regarding this fund.
The women I have met have similar circumstances. Whether it was our life choice or the
timing of this catastrophic event, these women should not be excluded. I would
appreciate additional consideration for the significant others, domestic partners and
fiancees.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Mineola, NY