[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2367, 
a bill to increase the rates of compensation for veteran's with 
service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain veterans. This bill 
will strengthen our Nation's efforts to continue to provide veterans 
with a suitable quality of life. I would like to commend Chairman 
Stump, Congressman Evans, and the Veteran's Committee for continued 
dedication, leadership, and hard work on these measures and others 
affecting the veterans' community.
  America's veterans have stood as the vanguards of freedom and 
prosperity. So many of them have put their lives in harm's way so that 
the guiding principles that we hold so dear remain protected. Just as 
they fought on the front lines protecting the security of our great 
Nation, we must lead the charge in the battle for their well being and 
security.
  This measure will direct the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs to 
compute and provide increases in the monthly rates of disability 
compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation, effective 
December 1, 1997. The rates will be increased by the same percentage as 
Social Security. This increase will help our disabled veterans and 
their families offset the cost of inflation as measured by the Consumer 
Price Index. Since the COLA is assumed in the budget resolution 
baseline, the bill would have no budgetary effect relative to the 
baseline as modified by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
  Again, I would like to commend the committee for its dedication, 
leadership, and vision in passing H.R. 2367. This bill will allow us to 
continue to fortify this Nation's commitment to provide our veterans 
with a better quality of life. More importantly, we owe our veterans no 
less than the dedication and commitment that they have given to 
protecting the noble ideals and principles of this great Nation. Once 
more, I express my strong support for this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to take a stand on behalf of veterans and support this 
important bill.

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