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Congressional Record—House H9096 H9096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2003 on this issue because our veterans My office makes this its number one that I voted against the VA–HUD appropria- should be special and should be very priority. Not only do we work for the tions bill which under-funded the Department important to all of the Members of veterans, we have had to organize a of Veteran Affairs by an embarrassing $1.8 bil- Congress and to public policymakers in whole chapter of the Vietnam-era vet- lion. general. erans in my district because they were I know that I co-sponsored H.R. 2569, which Our veterans have been so loyal, not being ignored and they were not being would authorize concurrent receipt of military just to our country because of their serviced. We think that that is the retirement pay and VA compensation benefits, service but they are always loyal to least that a Member of Congress can make health care for veterans more acces- the Commander in Chief. They have al- do, to service the veterans, to fight for sible and affordable, allow veterans’ surviving lowed themselves to be misused, to be them, to make sure that they get jus- spouses to receive adequate benefits, and ex- ignored, and to be marginalized too tice. And on this issue, this should be pand educational opportunities for reservists. much, and particularly by this admin- the highest priority of our veterans H.R. 2569 further enhances benefits for the istration. We find ourselves fighting agenda. families of those killed while on active duty, and the veterans are scratching and Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support and gives an essential ‘‘thank you’’ to our clawing trying to just get the kind of of eliminating the tax on disabled veterans, troops now returning from Iraq and Afghani- benefits that they deserve. and thank my colleague MAXINE WATERS for stan. They are in these veterans hospitals organizing the time to discuss this important Mr. Speaker, I am a co-sponsor of H.R. across the Nation waiting in line for matter. 303. This legislation would permit retired service, cannot get appointments. We Those who spend their career serving our members of the armed forces with service- do not have enough beds for them in nation in the military deserve our respect and connected disabilities to be paid both military nursing care homes. And now we hear gratitude; yet, military retirees remain the only retired pay and veterans’ disability compensa- about this particular issue on the floor group of federal employees who must waive tion. H.R. 303 would rectify the injustice which tonight, and it seems to me that the retirement pay in order to receive VA disability has penalized those who sacrifice to serve our President of the United States would compensation. Our nation is stronger and country for over 100 years. Additionally, I put an end to this. This is a Com- more secure because of their service and joined my colleagues to sign the discharge pe- mander in Chief that is now saying dedication, and fulfilling our obligations to tition to bring this legislation to the floor. that he needs $87 billion more to con- those who fought for our freedom must always As a veteran’s daughter, I, along with 365 tinue the war in Iraq? We are going to be a national priority. Members of this body, am frustrated by our have more veterans who will be dis- It is time to stop penalizing the more than constant attempts to support those who sac- abled, who will come home, who will 700,000 disabled veterans who are military re- rificed for this nation. I find it morally reprehen- have to suffer this great injustice. tirees. Attempts to redefine who qualifies as a sible that this President continues his reckless This is the President who has already disabled veteran are unnecessary, and policy of cutting taxes for the richest 1 percent spent $79 billion and who is coming achieve nothing more than providing benefits of this country, yet refuses to guarantee our back for more. And this is the Presi- to one group of veterans at the expense of veterans basic benefits. And I ask: how much dent, along with others in the adminis- others. longer is this body willing to punish those who tration, who is talking about we all The solution is obvious, yet resolution has sacrifice and suffer for serving and defending have to make sacrifices. Our soldiers been difficult, I was disappointed last year this nation? are dying, our soldiers are being crip- when a threatened presidential veto caused f pled and disabled. They are losing their the elimination of the veterans tax to be limbs. How long do we have to beg? scaled back in the Defense Authorization bill SECURING THE PEACE IN IRAQ How long do we have to plead with this and, again this year when the House Defense The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under President? Authorization failed to include language to re- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- I am here tonight, along with my col- peal the tax. uary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Ari- leagues, to ask my colleagues on the At a time when our Nation is asking more zona (Mr. SHADEGG) is recognized for 60 other side of the aisle to please sign men and women to risk their lives and security minutes as the designee of the major- that discharge petition. Please send a on behalf of our country, we should make ity leader. message to the veterans that during every effort to fulfill our promise to them upon Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I appre- this time when we are at war, at a time their return. The strength of a nation is meas- ciate this opportunity to open an im- when many of those who watch us on ured not only in the might of its military, but portant discussion before the Congress television who are fighting in Iraq, who also the compassion shown by and to its on the topic of securing the peace in may be the victim of some sniper’s bul- members. Iraq. let any time, any day, let them know It is time to put a permanent end to the dis- I am going to be brief in my opening that should something happen, should abled veterans tax; their commitment to excel- remarks, Mr. Speaker, because we have they be crippled, should they lose a lence in service to our country should not be some colleagues here who want to par- limb that they can depend on their answered with deficient services from that ticipate in this debate and who have government to see to it that they get country. other obligations. But let me simply both their retirement and the dis- Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my col- start by saying that I believe it is abso- ability benefits that they deserve. I do leagues, the gentlewoman from California, Ms. lutely essential for this Nation, now not think that is too much to ask, Mr. WATERS and the gentleman from Illinois, that we have deposed Saddam Hussein, Speaker. Ranking Member EVANS for their work on this to rebuild that country and to secure I certainly feel a little bit ashamed important issue. for them the peace. And what I mean this evening that we have to carry this Mr. Speaker, I rise today outraged by the by that is that it is simply not ade- debate this far. I served on the Com- Majority Leadership’s continual short-changing quate in this world we live in today to mittee on Veterans’ Affairs when I first of American veterans. I appreciate Members’ get rid of a dictator like Saddam Hus- came to the Congress of the United from both sides of the aisle, who work to sup- sein and then walk away. Tragically, States. I interacted with all of the port our retired soldiers. I find great irony in America has done that all too often in service organizations. I made a lot of the support that this body gives in creating its foreign policy, with disastrous con- friends, and I discovered at that time veterans in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the lack sequences. that there are many in the Congress of assistance in sustaining these and previous There will be discussion on the floor who will wave the red, white, and blue veterans upon their return. here tonight in the course of this de- flag and they will talk the talk; but Mr. Speaker, I would appreciate the Repub- bate of how we did that after World they will not walk the walk. They will licans and this Administration responding to an War I. We not only walked away, but not stand up and ask for the dollars. outraged constituent who asked me earlier this we demanded reparations. The result They will not defend the services. They year if, ‘‘We are just going to reward our fight- was the rise of an atrocious dictator- will not even take the time to help the ing men with medals and praise, then let them ship in Germany and another world veterans fight through the bureaucracy fend for themselves after they have suffered war. of veterans affairs to get the benefits the insults and injuries of war?’’. How do I re- I want to point to another example that are coming to them. spond to this person and others, when I know just briefly here at the outset of this VerDate jul 14 2003 03:28 Oct 02, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01OC7.125 H01PT1 October 1, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9097 debate.
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