[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ELIMINATE VICTIMS FUND COLLATERAL COMPENSATION REQUIREMENT

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to revise the 
victim's compensation fund to eliminate the offset clause which 
unnecessarily penalizes those men and women who prepared for their 
future through pension funds, life insurance policies, and other 
related investments. I believe that such a clause is not in accordance 
with the spirit of the original legislation which seeks to compensate 
every victim's family in an impartial manner.
  On Thursday January 17th, I joined many of my constituents at the 
family rally in New York City to call on special master Feinberg to 
amend the final interim rule under which the fund is currently 
operating. At the rally, I was pleased to announce that Mr. Feinberg 
has indicated that he will be accepting comments on the fund for the 
next several weeks until the final rule is promulgated. However, I now 
believe that we cannot leave such an important decision to chance.
  Accordingly, this legislation will ensure that the victims' families 
are fairly and individually compensated from this Federal victim's 
compensation fund without prejudice to any existing collateral 
payments. It is imperative for the Congress to rectify this matter at 
this time.

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