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Reminiscences of Joshua Gotbaum : oral history, 2001.

Creator: Gotbaum, Joshua, 1951-
Project: September 11, 2001 Response and Recovery Oral History Project.
(see all project interviews)
Phys. Desc. :transcript 69 pages sound recordings 2 audiocassettes (118 min.)
Location: Columbia Center for Oral History
Full CLIO record >>

Biographical Note

CEO and Executive Director, September 11th Fund.

Scope and Contents

Grew up near Chicago and in New York City; family background: son of labor leader and social worker; career: Carter White House, Clinton White House, Department of Defense, Department of Treasury, Office of Management and Budget, investment banker at Lazard Freres; September 11th Fund: interview with the New York Community Trust board members, telethon, administrating and allocating funds, setting policies, estimating those affected, alliance with McKinsey & Company, cataloging inventory, coordinating business and organizations, filling in the gaps of other organizations, "Cash Assistance Program", Internal Revenue Service waiving nonprofit "needs" test, funding the American Trial Lawyers Association, Ken Feinberg interpreting legislation, defining victims, media frenzy and accusations that people not getting money, national polls and polls of contributors about funding, refusal of further donations in early 2002, resigning in October 2002 because family in Washington D.C.; Red Cross: problematic public and donor relations, immediate relief efforts, pressure from public, George Mitchell, claims that funded Legal Aid Society, Steve Brill's book on internal tensions; Federal Victims Compensation Fund: federal protection of the airline industry, restoration issues; FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] mismanagement; Ongoing Recovery Program; personal contact with victims; concerns about terrorism before 9/11; lessons for the future; additional resources, educate the public about charities, accelerate the 9/11 United Services Group, earlier coordination with the Red Cross.

Subjects

Access Conditions

Copyright by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 2006. Permission required to cite, quote, and reproduce. Contact repository for information.

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