[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E244-E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         STATEMENT OF LYNN EXE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 1998

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, last year in my 
Congressional Office in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, I met with an 
eloquent and dedicated patriot, Lynn Exe, who described to me her 
disappointment at the way in which the Fleet Reserve Association dealt 
with her insurance situation. At her request, I am entering into the 
Record her description of her objection, and her invitation to the FRA 
to respond. I do so as Mrs. Exe's Representative in the House, who 
believes that she as a

[[Page E245]]

citizen deserves the right to be heard. The First Amendment to the 
Constitution, to which we all pay homage, singles out a few basic 
rights for particular emphasis, and one of those is the right to 
petition for the redress of grievances. Mrs. Exe chooses to do so, and 
as her Representative in Congress, I am pleased to be able to do my 
constitutional duty and insert her petition at this point in the 
Record.

                              Bridgewater Mass., January 21, 1998.
     Congressman Barney Frank, 
       Dear Sir, My husband, John B. Exe, United States navy, 
     retired, served his country with honor and dedication and 
     retired after 20 years service. During my husband service he 
     took out the FRA insurance plan. He was told by the navy that 
     should he pay high premiums in the event of his death his 
     widow would not have to pay any further insurance premiums.
       My husband had great love for his country and the navy. 
     Therefore he believed that his country would honor the pledge 
     they made to him and other service men.
       Shortly after my husband's death I received my first 
     insurance premium, due and payable. Upon making enquiries I 
     was told the funding had run out. Later I was told by a 
     representative of FRA that the navy had told them to stop 
     paying widows and to put funding into HMO's. This is a lie 
     still being told our service men and retirees. In other words 
     our service men do not deserve the truth. Once again this 
     country has broken faith.
       Should this happen in Bosnia, Iraq, Mongolia the United 
     States would call this genocide. I call what the United 
     States has done genocide against widows of service men in the 
     United States.
       A US judge ruled that retirees can sue the government for 
     breaking the promise of free lifetime health care.
       Now as usual the navy has once again proved inept with the 
     closure of military bases dependents now have to go to an 
     outside pharmacautical CO. Which has not been organized 
     completely a dependent obtaining meds through mail order 
     often have to wait two to three weeks. God help our heart 
     patients. Also, after submitting prescriptions which are 
     being returned due to changes which are not notified of this 
     causes another wait for the patient. It would appear the navy 
     had knowledge and plenty of time to organize instead of which 
     they appear to create confusion and more disorganization.
       Does anyone really care my words are just a whisper, but I 
     am sure they will eventually become a loud roar. And many 
     more people will become aware of tactics which the government 
     and Untied States Navy have done their best to keep secret.
       The genocide to our retirees and their families must 
     STOP!!!
       The buck stops here gentlemen. It is now YOUR 
     responsibility. I will be very surprised but very interested 
     to obtain a response.
       I am 73 years of age. I would like to see changes in what 
     time I have left.
                                                        Lynne Exe.

     

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