Dems push bill to include anthrax deaths in fund

Families of those who died from anthrax should be included in the special fund created by Congress for victims of the September 11 terror attacks, Democratic congressmen said today.

“These Americans are victims of terrorists,” said House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri. “They lost their lives, some in the line of duty, others at work, in an attack that sought to kill citizens indiscriminately. These families have been victims of bioterrorism and should not have to subject themselves to a never-ending legal process.”

Under the Democratic bill, families of those who have died from anthrax terrorism and families of future victims would be eligible to participate in the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund, Gephardt said.

The terrorist acts did not end on September 11, said Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla. “The victims’ families should know that their government is here to help them,” added Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y.

The September 11 Victims Compensation Fund was created as part of a $15 billion airline relief package. Families of victims can either receive compensation through the fund that will be established through the Justice Department and administered by a special master appointed by Attorney General John Ashcroft, or they can sue in federal or state courts.

The families of Bob Stevens of Florida, Thomas Morris, Jr. and Joseph Curseen of Maryland and Kathy Nguyen of New York were all victims of terrorism as much as those left behind after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, the Democrats said.

“We must make sure their families are taken care of,” said Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md.

Gephardt said he did not know how much the bill would cost or how much the families could possibly get from the victims’ fund.

“The plain fact of the matter is that we failed in our responsibility to keep these people safe,” Gephardt said. “And I feel absolutely convinced that we have to take action as we did in the September 11 liability fund to try and make these families whole.”

He also said he did not know yet who in the anthrax cases would contribute to the fund.

“It is possible that the Postal Service, maybe other concerns, would be potentially liable in these cases,” Gephardt said. “It may be that the United States government could have liability in these cases. All we’re saying is that whoever has liability and exposure and where there’s insurance, the master has the ability to go get that insurance money and put it into the fund to help take care of these families.”