Meeting With Senator Clinton:

Meeting With Mayor Giuliani:

-  Meeting Attendees
-  Meeting Objective
-  Critical Issues Discussed
-  Mayor's Responses
-  Outcome
-  Closing Comments

Meeting with Senator Hillary Clinton:

Give Your Voice representatives met with Senator Hillary Clinton to discuss the many issues and concerns facing us. Members from 9-11WFA, September's Mission and WTC United Family Group were also present. Our concerns were shared with the Senator. The Senator stated that help would be available to victim's families soon. The Senator is going to assign several hundred caseworkers from private charities that will act as family advocates to help families. If such a caseworker were requested, he would help assist the family in receiving financial help and services for up to two years. This agency will also try to form a database of information that would streamline the relief agencies aid directly to the families.

Our concerns regarding the recovery effort both at the landfill and at ground zero and our concerns re the creation of a memorial were addressed. Senator Clinton was visibly distressed by what we had to say. She asked that she be kept informed and to let her know of the outcome or our meeting with Mayor Giuliani.

December 10th meeting with Mayor Giuliani:

With your support in hand, Give Your Voice met with Mayor Giuliani on December 10th at City Hall. Also present at the meeting were official/representatives from the following organizations:

• 9-11 WVFA
• September's Mission
• WTC United Family Group
• Forensic Biology Department
• Justice Department
• Medical Examiner
• Commissioner of Community Affairs
• Commissioner of Office Emergency Management
• WTC Ground Zero Relief Volunteer Group

Meeting Objective:

To work together with the Mayor to establish a Communication Platform/Structure through which civilian families will be able to:

• Establish representation and to receive expedited answers to questions regarding the recovery effort. Specifically questions that focus upon the procedures used to spot, preserve, and identify human remains of those who died on Sept. 11th.

• Facilitate and receive a "helping hand" to navigate through the many struggles we have encountered when seeking financial assistance from the more than 140 charities that received donations from fellow Americans.

• To establish a voice and input in the plan to build a Memorial to remember all those lost on that terrible day.

Critical Issues Discussed:

- Concerns and Questions regarding the Recovery Effort at Fresh Kill and Ground Zero:

• Specific questions were raised regarding the recovery effort both at ground zero and at the Staten Island Landfill. Many concerns have been raised concerning the Fresh Kill Landfill. Patrick Cartier reported his undercover venture into the landfill. He described what he saw as entering hell itself. Large piles of debris where everywhere and there was overwhelming smell. He described two large shelters that are set up for the winter. One is for "raking" where piles of debris are raked through by hand held tools. The second tent is for sifting. There was a large conveyor machines that separate the dust from larger material. This caused him much to question whether there was a careful and reverent handling of human remains in place. He also went on to say that personnel effects did not appear to be properly handled as some items were seen on the floor.

• Patrick also was concerned about the needed supplies used by the Men and Women at the Site. Apparently, all personnel on site do not use certain hand held tools used to excavate remains. Despite this tool being a very popular and resourceful tool.

• Why was there a reduction of manpower at the landfill? Reliable sources have stated the manpower has been reduced from 600 to 200 workers. This has caused issues with the levels of fatigue increasing and impeding those who want to do the best job possible from doing so.

• There is no Fire Dept. presence at the landfill/ Jennie Farrell was told that there are no Fire Marshals present. They have the expertise in recovery effort.

• It is not a 24-hour mission-- the landfill closes approximately between 7:00- and 8:00 pm?

• What is the current process for recovering, handling, preserving, and identifying human remains both at ground zero and at the Landfill?

• Why not remove some of the machinery and dumpsters to create more space so that the process of sifting and searching the debris can take place at ground zero vs. the landfill? Reliable sources from the Fire Dept. itself have stated that there is sufficient room. This very question was asked of the Mayor on Nov. 12th. -To date this source stated that no response has been given. The Mayor did state that Fresh Kill was used as a backup for the process of the search.

• Are search dogs still being used as a means of recovering remains? Give your Voice received an email from a volunteer K-9 Search Team. It's representative stated that they had offered help in this area but there had been no movement from the city to date. Mr. Sheirer of OEM stated that search dogs were still in place and that he would look into the offer of help from the volunteer group.

• Why are the personal effects being found lying haphazardly in the mud? What is the policy for labeling and securing these items? Where are they being kept? When can the families begin to inquire- search or identify the belongings of their lost loved ones?

• Do all the rescue workers have the appropriate tools needed to efficiently continue with the digging and searching process? Rhonda Sherer, a coordinator of The WTC Ground Zero Relief Fund, stated that this was a major concern. She also described a shelter filled with tools and appropriate clothing for the workers being shut down in the evening. This prevents the night shift to obtain the tools and other essential items that will enable them to work efficiently and comfortably. Mr. Sheirer stated again that he would look into this.

• What is the policy for securing personal property? Sources have told members of Give Your Voice that there is no policy in place. We hope that this is not true. Where are the personal effects being housed? How can the families begin to inquire about their lost loved ones belongings?

• The issue of sufficient manpower for the actual DNA testing was raised. Mr. Sheller, the head of the Forensic Dept. explained that there was.

- Our Struggle to Obtain Financial Assistance

• The issues of the charities were spoken at great length. It was brought to the Mayor's attention that the charities had not distributed financial support in an efficient and speedy manner. The civilian's spoke of the horrors and agony they have experienced with their dealings with the charities. The mayor was asked why this was and if he could help. The Mayor explained that he could only help with the Twin Tower Fund. He had set this up for the city employees. Family members expressed their pain and frustration over this fund having been established to the exclusion of civilians. The mayor explained that it was his responsibility to do so because they were city employees. He compared it to the way companies are responsible for their employees. He did state that it was easier to distribute the funds to the city employees. He did acknowledge that some of the charities were doing a bad job. He described a program that would provide families with individual caseworkers to help them with the struggle of receiving financial assistance. He also announced the creation of a new financial assistance center. Its goal is to help the families who are not getting the help and are overwhelmed by the process.

- The Memorial...We want a Voice:

• Members expressed the need for active civilian representation in any decisions regarding the rebuilding to the site and the creation of a memorial. The mayor agreed. Plans to help achieve this end will be discussed in the next meeting.

Mayor's Responses:

• The Mayor Stated that the Recovery Effort was still the most important aspect of this mission. The Mayor stated that the location at Fresh Kill was vital in the sense that it acts as a backup to the Recovery Effort at Ground Zero. This backup was essential to ensure that any and all remains will be found.

• The issue of supplies was discussed at length and Mr. Sheirer said he would begin working directly with Rhonda Sheier and her Organization to ensure that all the Men and Women are properly equipped for their vital mission.

• The Man power at both sites were discussed and thought he Mayor felt that he had the most skillful and highly trained personnel on location, he would look into a possible need for Fire Marshals to been added to the Manpower. This issue will be again addressed at the follow up meeting.

• The Mayor ensured us that all personnel effects have always been recovered and will be returned to the Families to which they belong. He stated that the need to keep these effects as evidence did not make sense at this point and would look into the expediting the process of returning these items.

• Mr. Sheirer stated that K-9 units are still used on location, and will continue to be used until the duration of the mission.

• The DNA process was discussed at length; reps. From the Medical Examiner's Office stated this process involves several qualified parties including units in Albany. DNA profiles are created based on DNA samples submitted by Family members and registered in a "Databank" to be cross referenced against the samples recovered at both locations. The cross referencing was being done via new Government issued Software that is much faster than the conventional means of DNA sequencing. However, it was agreed that a formal letter be issued to Families describing this complicated process to all the Families to keep them informed

• Mr. Sheirer stated that he would look into all these issues questions and have answers for the following meeting. Many of the specific questions were not directly answered. They will be asked again at the next meeting. The mayor has agreed to name a liaison between him and representatives of the civilian families to keep us informed on the recovery effort. He also agreed to start a family committee. The committee would be made up of civilian victim's representatives. Its role would be to help voice questions and concerns and to improve communication between city officials and relatives. He promised to name this committee soon.

• Mr. Richard Sheerer the Commissioner of the Office Of Emergency Management stated that he would plan allow civilian representatives to tour the site at ground zero and at the Fresh kill Landfill.

Outcome:

- Civilian Committee to be Established:

• Give Your Voice stated that clearly the many questions that were asked at this meeting clearly illustrates the need for civilian representation on all levels regarding the WTC tragedy. The mayor agreed to name a liaison between him and representatives of the civilian families to keep us informed on the relief efforts. He also agreed to create a family committee. This committee would comprise civilian victim's representatives. It would help voice questions concerns and would encourage input from the civilian families-and would expedite communication between the city and families.

- Informative Letter to Families:

• The Mayor agreed to the need to inform the Families directly affected by this tragedy. The letter will discuss where we are in terms of the Recovery Process and information on the DNA process.

- Family Assistance Center:

• Mayor Giuliani also announced the opening of a new Family Assistance Center. He stated that individual caseworkers would be assigned to help families obtain the help that is so urgently needed.
• The address of the Center is 180 Water Street between Pearl and John Streets.

Closing Comments:

The meeting ended with a positive and hopeful feeling. It was apparent that the Mayor was concerned and wanted to help us. A follow up meeting is planned.

The next meeting with the mayor is scheduled for Monday December the 17th @ 7:00.