My name is Elizabeth McLaughlin.  Thank you Chairman Greenwood and the Subcommittee for inviting me to speak at this hearing today.  Honestly, I feel an awesome sense of responsibility to the nearly 4,700 families whose loved ones died on September 11^th.  I think it is important that this Committee and the millions of generous contributors across America know the unnecessary ­- and, at times, overwhelming - obstacles the surviving victims face when trying to receive assistance from the government and charities.  I hope that my testimony and the work of this committee will aid the victims' families in our efforts and improve upon the current system.

And, I think - with all due respect to their fine team - that the Arizona Diamondbacks should have thrown the World Series for New York.

First and most importantly, I am absolutely amazed at the outpouring of support and generosity from the American people.  When I drive through New York and elsewhere and I see American flags raised, I feel like those flags are raised for me.  I know if my husband Rob had died under any other circumstances, I would not have this additional level of support - and be able to be here today.

Rob was 29 years old and our only child, Nicholas, was 9 months old on September 11th.  We had just moved into our first home, a fixer upper where we sank our life's savings.  Rob was a partner at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104^th floor.  Like most of the world, I watched the World Trade Center towers fall down that morning.

The events of September 11^th have changed our lives forever.  But now, Mr. Chairman, I am tired -- and I want to spend time with my son.

Shortly after the attacks, I saw news reports and telethons that continuously mentioned the fund raising efforts for the families of the victims of September 11th.  I asked friends and family to help see what funds were available.  No one really had much information, but we were all hopeful that these organizations would help. - Rob was the sole source of income for our family, and I thought, "Maybe I can keep our house."

But then, the real work began.  You have to really focus - which some days is very hard - to satisfy the various registration requirements; qualifying criteria; keep up with policy changes; find out what groups sent money where; determine what documents need to be sent and to whom; speak to uninformed representatives; repeat my story to the same organization four, five and six times; countless faxing, sending emails, and traveling in person each week to reapply.

Before, when I had friends and family helping me full-time, the task did not seem so daunting.  We have contacted over 40 organizations.  I have received some emergency funds, and I thought I was doing everything right.  We developed an 18-page spreadsheet to organize the registration, contacts, proper documentation and required follow-up.  Now, as time goes on and my friends have less time to devote to this effort, the responsibility and pressure increase as my bills mount.

Ironically, I have a Masters degree in not-for-profit management.  I understand the magnitude of this project for charitable groups is unprecedented.  I appreciate the work they're doing for me and the thousands of others families.  I think my situation could have been worse.  But I don't think contributors to the various September 11^th funds thought that their donations would be caught up in so much red tape and become a source of frustration to the families.  It seems this process could have been better streamlined and centralized so families can move on with their lives.  That is the main reason I am here today.  It is not too late.

Mayor Guiliani and the city of New York very quickly set up a family assistance center in Manhattan that gathered the charities, government organizations, legal assistance, translators, volunteers, food and counseling.  Why then, haven't these charities been able to get together and agree on a uniform application? Why haven't they been able to get together and develop a quicker way for families to receive the funds?  We all have missing persons' reports, death certificates, and any other proof needed to avoid fraud, but the charities are not sharing these documents or information.

The system is not working the way I believe it was intended.  I know of a family with four children who lost their father on September 11th.  Their mother has to support all of these children both emotionally and financially now.  How can she spend each day making the necessary phone calls, visits and follow-up to these organizations?  Many charities are giving out funds on a first-come, first-served basis.  Does that mean she will not receive the donations that she and her family need?

Sadly, a friend told me yesterday, "I give up." 

I don't want to let her down, and you should not let her down either.  There are too many people that need help.  Isn't that why these charities were set up in the first place?

Mr. Chairman, the American people have shown time and time again that they are kind and generous.  Because of the unspeakable tragedy to my family on September 11^th, I now am forever grateful to be experiencing firsthand this kindness and generosity.  But, as I testified, it has not been easy, and many are not getting the help they need.  I sincerely hope that this Committee will do everything it can to help the thousands of suffering families across this Nation more quickly and more easily receive the generosity that millions of Americans intended they receive.

Thank you.  I will happy to answer any questions the Committee may have.