W000780
October 5, 4001
The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
10th Street and Constitution Avenue
Washington, D.C. 40530
Dear Attorney General Ashcroft:
We recognize that our country will probably never be the same after terrorists attacked the united States on September 11. While it is appropriate to be strong and move on as a nation, it is also important to remember the victims of the attack and acknowledge the pain caused by the loss of so many lives. Our desire is to make sure no one, no matter how small, is left out when we recognize the victims.
As you know, on September 22, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2926, the Air
Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (Public Law 107-42). This act contains a
provision, called the "September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 4001," that creates a government sponsored fund for those victims who choose not to sue the airlines. We request that unborn children killed in the terrorist attack be included as eligible "claimants."
Some of the victims, we do not yet know how many, were pregnant when terrorists snuffed out their lives. Some husbands not only lost their wives, they also lost their unborn children. Some parents lost their daughters, and their unborn grandchildren.
For example, , 36, two months pregnant with her first child, left the following message on her husband's answering machine before senseless terrorism took her life: " ? , pick up the phone. Honey, pick up the phone. I was just calling to tell you I love you and I can't wait to see you. There's a little problem with the plane, but I'm fine, I'm comfortable. Please tell my family that I love them." was a passenger on United Flight 93, which never reached its target in Washington, D.C. because the passengers sacrificed their own lives in a heroic effort to thwart the terrorists' plans. Certainly, there were many other pregnant women and unborn children whose lives were stolen away on September 11.
We request that you include the smallest victims of all, unborn children, when you draft regulations to implement the victim compensation program for those who were killed or injured by the terrorist attack on September 11. The right thing to do is to recognize all the victims and all the losses incurred by surviving family members.
Thank you for your compassion and your hard work as you fulfill your duties. Our prayers are with you in this trying time.
Sincerely,
Comment by Congress Members:
| Dick Armey |
|
Jim Ryan |
| Sam Johnson |
|
Jim Ryan |
| John T. Doolittle |
|
Dan Welch |
| Chris Smith |
|
Clay Shaw |
| Roscoe Bartlett |
|
Ronnie Shows |
| Mark R. Kennedy |
|
David Phelps |
| Robin Hayes |
|
Bob Schaffer |
| Todd Tiahrt |
|
Kevin Brady |
Joseph R. Pitts |
|
Jim Barcia |