[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 83 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              AMERICA'S DISABLED VETERANS NEED TO BE HEARD

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                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Stephen 
Wolonsky, president of Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees, of 
Albuquerque, NM, who is an American committed to helping his fellow 
veterans receive due compensation for the sacrifices they made for this 
country. I want to share with my colleagues some valid points that Mr. 
Wolonsky makes regarding the concurrent receipt of military retired pay 
and veterans disability compensation to our Nation's disabled military 
retired veterans. I urge my colleagues to pay special attention to the 
words of Mr. Wolonsky and honorable disabled veterans like him 
throughout the country.
                                                Uniformed Services


                                            Disabled Retirees,

                                    Albuquerque, NM, May 11, 1994.
     U.S. Congress,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Legislators: Members of Congress continue to reward 
     Civil Service and non-disabled military retirees with annual 
     Cost of Living Allowances; yet penalize the service-connected 
     disabled military retirees, especially those who are most 
     seriously disabled, by denying them concurrent receipt of 
     military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation.
       Civil Service and non-disabled military retirees are given 
     the opportunity to supplement their retired pay with a second 
     career; but the disabled military retirees are denied this 
     opportunity. True, the disabled military retirees receive an 
     income tax break by waiving their retired pay in order to 
     receive veterans' disability compensation. The advantage of 
     the waiver grants the disabled retirees the amount of $250 
     per month while other 100% disabled veterans receive $1,800 
     per month in addition to their retired pay. Furthermore, 
     COLAs are of NO value to the disabled military retirees due 
     to the waiver requirement imposed upon them.
       There are many misconceptions of why concurrent receipt 
     should not be granted. For instance: It has been stated that 
     only military retirees have generous benefits (Exchange, 
     commissary and etc). This is erroneous as all 100% disabled 
     veterans, regardless of years of service receive these same 
     benefits. Military personnel retire at an early age. Again 
     this is erroneous as average for officers is 47 and enlisted 
     43. Many civilians retire within these age brackets. Military 
     personnel do not contribute towards retirement pay. Again 
     this is erroneous as the military pay is reduced by 7% at 
     budgetary talks, they are not compensated for overtime which 
     Civil Service employees are, they receive NO BONUSES for 
     doing their job which again Civil Service employees 
     receive, the military personnel often face family 
     separation, danger from our Nation's enemies, undesirable 
     living conditions and other hazardous conditions which 
     Civil Service employees do not face. Isn't this sufficient 
     contribution toward retired pay? Even retired pay 
     standards differ between Civil Service and Military 
     retirement.
       It is the responsibility of the United States of America 
     and Congress to take care of our Nation's service-connected 
     disabled veterans of which the disabled military retirees are 
     regardless of length of service.
       It is highly suggested that Members of Congress permit 
     concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' 
     disability compensation for the service-connected disabled 
     military retirees prior to paying Cost of Living Allowances 
     (COLAs) to Civil Service and non-disabled military retirees. 
     As I stated previously, the disabled military retirees are 
     denied the opportunity to supplement their income with a 
     second career due to the disability.
       I highly recommend that concurrent receipt be granted to 
     the service-connected disabled military retirees beginning 
     with FY 95. This way, they would be on an even keel with all 
     other disabled veterans.
       Thank you.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Stephen Wolonsky,
     President, USDR.

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