[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND FAIRNESS 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the September 11th 
Victim Compensation Fund Fairness Act, which makes an essential change 
to the provisions of the September 11th Victim Compensation fund in 
order to justly compensate the thousands of families whose loved ones 
died in the attack on our nation. Specifically, this legislation will 
repeal the collateral compensation provision of the September 11th 
Victims Compensation Fund. The current provision requires the Special 
Master to reduce the amount of federal compensation by the amount of 
other compensation the family has received, including life insurance 
and pension benefits. This provision resulted in unintended 
consequences that will negatively affect many of the victims' families.
  Our Nation is faced with a difficult challenge. Thousands of American 
families are trying to recover from the horrible loss of their loved 
ones on September 11th. As a Congress, we have pledged our support to 
these families, including providing compensation to them for the 
tremendous sacrifice made by their loved ones. We did this because we 
recognized that our assistance was essential in helping families 
recover.
  However, the tragic events of this day left us in uncharted territory 
and we moved forward quickly as a Congress to enact laws to help these 
families. We must be sure that what we enacted in the days immediately 
following September 11th provides the best assistance possible to these 
families who have suffered so much.
  The September 11th Victims Compensation Fund was created in the Air 
Transportation Safety and Stabilization Act, which was enacted on 
September 22, 2001. This was a mere 11 days after our country suffered 
the deadliest attack in its history. The Victim Compensation Fund was 
designed to aid these families fairly and justly. Unfortunately, the 
full implications of the collateral compensation provision in this fund 
have only recently become clear. As the regulations of the fund are 
developed and families receive compensation estimates, many are 
realizing that they will receive little if any federal support.
  I do not believe that this is what Congress intended. Congress 
created this Fund to compensate families for their losses on September 
11th. But because of a provision that reduces the total compensation by 
the amount of pension benefits and life insurance received, the very 
families we set out to help have the potential to receive nothing from 
the Nation's fund. That is not only unfair but also unacceptable. The 
Victim Compensation Fund inadvertently created a loophole and it is our 
responsibility to correct it.
  The men and women who purchased life insurance or accrued pension 
funds did so to provide for the future of their families. We must 
properly and justly compensate families for the sacrifice that their 
loved ones made for our country. We cannot turn our back on our fellow 
Americans.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

                          ____________________