Wife of William R. Steiner
Employee of Marsh, Inc.
97^th floor of North Tower
New York

Tuesday, September 11^th began for me like any other. My husband awoke at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for a commute to a job that he loved. He left at 5:30 to get a head start on his workday which had been his practice throughout his career and I fell back to sleep, which was my routine. Since it was a beautiful Tuesday morning, on my way to work at a non-profit mental health facility, I stopped off at Rices Outdoor Market. While walking through the aisles, I overheard a news bulletin on the radio, which prompted me to ask a vendor to please repeat what I thought I heard. "A plane hit the World Trade Center". I remember saying, "My husband works there" and noticed her horrified expression. I proceeded immediately to my car to phone my husband. Unsuccessful in my attempt I went home and tried again to reach him, to no avail. I called work and explained that I would be in as soon as I heard from my husband. I next put on the television in our family room with the phone by my side and witnessed the second plane hit the south tower, saw both towers crumble and watched in disbelief as the horrors of that infamous day unfolded.

After speaking to our three children; Meredith (23) at work in Philadelphia, Jordan (21) at school at the University of Delaware and Darren (18) at Penn State, our older two children came directly home to be with me and await revelations.

While dealing with the confusion and shock of what was transpiring, we held out hope for a miracle, not unlike five thousand other families. We frantically took turns calling hospitals, radio and television stations, co-workers of my husband and researched the Internet to obtain information. In our desperation, we filed a "missing person's" report with the F.B.I. and notified New York State and local police departments. We submitted dental records and D.N.A. samples to the authorities. We created "missing" posters, which family members placed around New York and on the Internet, asking for any information on my husband's status.

After three weeks of being in shock and frozen at home, the status of the missing persons from "ground zero" changed from "missing" to "missing, presumed dead". It was at this time that I realized I had to address the extensive amount of mail that was thrown in a box since September 11th. As my husband customarily handled the mundane chore of family maintenance, I was both inexperienced and overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. In my attempt to manage our affairs, I forwarded a letter to all creditors explaining my situation, asking for consideration and extensions, if possible, without penalties.

As my children attempted to resume life, I continued at home by following all leads for assistance by calling any number which would appear in the newspapers, on C.N.N. and M.S.N.B.C. and any referrals offered to me.

On Saturday, October 6^th at 7:30 a.m. I left the house for the first time since September 11^th with an advocate from N.O.V.A. who picked up my family for a trip to New York. She took us on an appointment to the N.J. Family Assistance Center and "ground zero". After the site visit, I left our three children at the family center in the company of volunteer "companions", because I didn't want to subject them to the continuing pain of retelling our story, explaining our financial status or be subjected to asking for "hand-outs". I visited the trailers with advocates who assisted me in navigating through the maze of services, charities and organizations that potentially we could qualify for, along with addressing the legal necessities. We returned home at 11:30 p.m.

As my husband was the sole supporter of our family and kept all records on his computer, I attempted to reconstruct documentation to satisfy all obligations and handle accessing benefits by myself in order not to incur additional expenses. As the majority of creditors have shown some compassion, I have also had to deal with dunning notices and threats to incur additional collection activities.

During this time, I have felt supported and been deeply moved by family, friends, neighbors, community members and total strangers. I was especially touched by an organization at the N.J. Family Assistance Center, a Taiwan Buddhist Compassion Relief Organization (Tzu Chi Foundation, USA), who donated $1000 to my family on the spot. Additionally, Penn State University donated a scholarship for Darren, a freshman at their Altoona campus. Another act of kindness shown to us was by the "Count Your Blessings" fund, established by a Bucks County builder, C. W. Schrenck, who offered to pay a semester's tuition for my older son.

After thirty-two years of a happy and successful marriage, I'm struggling to adjust to my new life situation, both emotionally and financially. By sharing my personal experience with this committee, I hope it's beneficial to your investigation.

I have requested that Robert Baldi assist me in sharing specific information regarding details of all donations.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT O. BALDI, ESQUIRE
ON BEHALF OF RUSSA STEINER

Good afternoon, my name is Robert Baldi. I am a lawyer who has had the honor of representing both William Steiner and Russa Steiner, prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I am here today, not as Russa Steiner's lawyer, but as a spokesperson whose purpose is to help her provide you with information concerning the impact the terrorist attack had on her life. She has asked me to speak because, she still finds it difficult to discuss many of the events which are relevant to your investigation. I have agreed to help her provide you with some of the details.

Russa Steiner and her family live in a pleasant community located close to Philadelphia. She and Bill had been married 32 years at the time of his death. He was a successful executive with Marsh, Inc., a large insurance company with offices located on floors 93 through 99 of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center. The first terrorist attack hit close to the 90^th floor of the North Tower. For obvious reasons, nothing has been recovered associated with Bill. Not a shred of DNA, nor any personal effects. From what we can tell, most of Bill's personal records were destroyed. Bill kept a lot of information on his lap top computer, which he took to and from the office.

Because Bill was a successful businessman, their children were able to afford to go the college of their choice. The Steiners have been paying the entire cost of the education for each of their children. Because of Bill's income tax bracket, the children were not entitled to any financial assistance and therefore, the full tuition was being paid by the Steiners. Meredith, their oldest daughter, is 23, a graduate of the University of Delaware. She is living home and was planning to go to law school. Bill and Russa were planning to pay her tuition. Jordan, is 21 years old and a senior at the University of Delaware. Darren is 18 years old and a freshman at Penn State. If you calculate the tuition that the Steiners paid in after-tax dollars, you can begin to appreciate the responsibility Bill Steiner was carrying with him everyday he went into New York. Russa's financial future is now fragile and uncertain. She has reluctantly had to seek the assistance of others; a situation which makes her extremely uncomfortable.

Since Bill's death, Russa spent most of her time, sitting at home looking at the television set watching news reports, as events have unfolded. When the status of Bill went from "missing" to "missing and presumed dead", she realized that bills had to be paid and then began the process of taking over the management of the family's finances, a task previously performed solely by Bill. She wrote to her creditors and asked them for extensions of time while she tried to straighten things out. She copied down telephone numbers shown on television, advising her of sources of assistance. Neighbor's and friends gave her newspaper articles and information that they came across. Ultimately, the local Network of Victim Assistance Agency, known as NOVA, provided her with a wonderful advocate by the name of Mia Alan. Mia has helped her with this process. Russa has spent many, many hours, writing letters and making phone calls to various agencies searching for assistance for her family.

On October 6, 2001, Russa spent the day visiting Ground Zero with other victims' families and then an advocate took her to trailers located on Liberty Island, which have been set up to help victims of this horrible tragedy.

She was escorted from trailer to trailer where she would wait in line to talk to someone to schedule an appointment. She then went to the next trailer to wait in line to schedule another appointment and ultimately, return to the various trailers at the appointed time to meet with representatives to tell and retell her story. One of the trailers was sponsored by a Buddhist Compassion Relief Fund known as the Tzu Chi Foundation, USA. Russa knew nothing about this organization, however, when she told them her story, they issued a check to her in the amount of $1,000.00. This money was available to her immediately, no strings attached. We have supplied a copy of the letter that was given to her by this most generous organization, along with their check. On October 6, 2001, Russa visited many other trailers, some of them were charitable organizations, others were government agencies.

Russa went into the Salvation Army trailer. She was told that she would receive a holiday meal. We assume that at some point in the future, someone will contact her from the Salvation Army to provide her family with a meal over one of the upcoming holidays.

While visiting the trailers, she was able to submit an application to the New York State Victim's of Crime Compensation Board, as well as the New York State Worker's Compensation Board. Approximately one week later both of the State agencies contacted her, each advising that she qualified for State Funds.

When she visited the Red Cross trailer she brought with her copies of actual outstanding bills. She had contacted them previously to apply for the Emergency Family Gift and received a case identification number for that specific application. Her advocate told her to bring actual bills for consideration by the Red Cross for emergency vouchers. This request was separate from her first phone application. The representative onsite at the trailer from the Red Cross, reviewed the bills and selected certain ones that they agreed to pay. A separate disbursement order was then issued for each separate item. Russa was then provided the disbursement order to be used as if it were a check, to pay the specific bills. Copies of the disbursement orders have been provided as an exhibit to this statement. The Red Cross has provided her the following disbursements:

$60.00 for a trash bill for services 10/1/01 - 12/31/01 - this is the cost for her to have her trash picked up at her house.

$227.50 for the Steiners' electric bill for the month of September

$99.07 for the Steiners' telephone bill for 9/15/01 - 10/14/01. The Steiners have several different phone bills. The Red Cross picked one of the monthly bills and issued the disbursement order.

$138.00 for the Security company that provides a security service for the burglar alarm system in the Steiner house.

$135.00 and $135.00 (two separate disbursement orders)for food made payable to the Giant, Russa's local grocery store.

Several days later, a check arrived in the mail from the Red Cross to Russa in the amount of $450.00. This money was made payable to Russa to use at she deemed fit for family maintenance.

The total sum received from Red Cross to date is $1,244.57.

Russa was led to believe that there may be some additional money coming from the Red Cross from her phone application of September 28, 2001, for the Emergency Family Gift. There has been no suggestion of the amount or when it will come. A representative said to her that because she was able to obtain additional time from her creditors, they felt that she did not qualify for assistance on an emergency basis.

Russa has made many applications to organizations over the phone and by letters. One of those organizations is her Local United Way. On September 28, 2001, she applied by phone to the New York City United Way September 11^th Fund. On November 2, 2001 a representative from her local Bucks County United Way arrived at her house and presented her a check in the amount $1,500.00 from the local United Way. This gift from the local United Way was unprecedented. Normally, the local United Way only provides assistance to agencies. The representative explained that the Bucks County Local United Way is applying for money, for victims of Bucks County, from the September 11^th Fund. He explained to us that the September 11^th Fund is the fund raised by United Way of New York. It is our understanding that these funds will be distributed through the local United Way Organizations. I have been advised that 20 families have been identified from Bucks County. An initial grant has been requested which would pay to the Steiners a grant of $3,000.00 per month for 3 months. The $1,500.00 payment, just recently received, would represent a portion of the grant which has been applied for. By no means am I qualified to speak for the local United Way, in terms of what their intent is or in terms of what their efforts have been. The gentlemen who brought the check to Russa was very kind and gracious. The funds being provided to her were unrestricted. We have no information which would suggest when she will know if the full $9,000.00 grant was approved, or if and/or when there will be any consideration for providing her with additional money over and beyond the outstanding request for $9,000.00.

Russa has contacted many potential sources of aid. She promptly called the Families of Freedom Scholarship Foundation after hearing President Clinton and Senator Dole talk about the Fund on television. She called September 29, 2001 to register her children. They called her back on October 5, 2001 and explained that the application would be sent out sometime close to the end of this year. No money would be available this year and ultimately, it would be based on financial need.

This has been a very painful process for Russa and her family. People have been very kind, however, the Steiner family financial situation remains fragile. Penn State was gracious enough to provide a $2,500.00 scholarship for Darren. Congressman Greenwood connected Russa Steiner with a local builder, whose family has created a Foundation called "Count Your Blessings" tuition fund. Mickey and Marjorie Schrenk, the creators of the Foundation are arranging to pay a semester's tuition for Jordan at the University of Delaware. Nonetheless, the children's educational future is uncertain. Russa's ability to remain in her house is uncertain. She has monthly mortgage payments which have to be met. The mortgage company has given her a 6 month reprieve while she tries to straighten out finances. She will ultimately have to meet those financial obligations, or she and her 3 children will have to move from the home where her children have been raised, and where their closest connection to Bill remains.

By no means do I offer this comment in a judgmental way, but I would simply state that Russa's financial position right now is precarious. Russa has never had to ask people for assistance. Russa would never say to someone, that she needs financial help on an emergency basis. Nonetheless, part of the trauma associated with this horrible tragedy is not only the loss of her dear husband, but the financial uncertainty which now plagues the Steiner Family. To date she has received the following financial assistance from the following charities:

Red Cross $1,244.57

United Way $1,500.00

Tzu Chi Foundation $1,000.00

Count Your Blessings Tuition Fund 1 semester of tuition

We will be happy to try and answer any questions that you may have for us.

Russa Steiner applied over the phone on September 28, 2001 for what she was told was the "emergency family gift". She was assigned a case number and she immediately faxed her family expenses for their consideration. She has not received any response to date with respect to this request.

On October 6, 2001, she applied in person for disbursement orders with the help of her advocate. She received $794.57 in disbursement orders on October 6, 2001. Several days later she received a check from the Red Cross for family maintenance in the amount of $450.00.

Total sum received from the Red Cross to date: $1,244.57

Russa Steiner applied in person at a trailer located at the New Jersey Family Assistance Center on Liberty Island. She received a check in the amount of $1,000.00

Total sum received from the Tzu Chi Foundation: $1,000.00

Russa Steiner applied over the phone for a United Way grant from the September 11^th Fund on September 28, 2001.

On November 2, 2001 a check in the amount of $1,500.00 was delivered to her from the Local United Way. The Local United Way has applied for additional funds from the New York United Way - September 11^th Fund.

Total sum received from the Local United Way: $1,500.00

Russa Steiner applied in person at a trailer located in Liberty Island on October 6, 2001. She was told that she would be provided with a holiday meal at some time in the future.

Russa Steiner applied in person on October 6, 2001 at a trailer located at Liberty Island. During a follow-up phone call on October 15, 2001 she was told that they would forward her request to the National Branch in Chicago, because they only cover New York and New Jersey. She has heard nothing further from them.

Russa Steiner called this foundation on September 29, 2001 after hearing Senator Dole and President Clinton discuss it on the television. She received a telephone call back October 5, 2001 advising her that applications would be sent at the end of the year. She was told that there would be no money available for this year and that future grants would be based on financial need.

Russa Steiner learned of this fund from television and made a telephone call to the organization on September 30, 2001.

Russa Steiner applied by phone on September 28, 2001. She received a telephone call back on October 5, 2001. They suggested that she contact the Families of Freedom Scholarship Foundation.

This is a foundation created by Mickey and Marjorie Schrenck. At the suggestion of Congressman Greenwood, Russa Steiner applied October 29, 2001. She heard back the same day that they would be providing one semester tuition payment for one of the children