[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 43. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize 
certain disabled former prisoners of war to use Department of Defense 
commissary and exchange stores; to the Committee on Armed Services.


    MILITARY COMMISSARY AND POST EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES FOR FORMER POWS

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing legislation to 
enable those former prisoners of war who have been separated honorably 
from their respective services and who have been rated as having a 30 
percent service-connected disability to have the use of both the 
military commissary and post exchange privileges. While I realize it is 
impossible to adequately compensate one who has endured long periods of 
incarceration at the hands of our nation's enemies, I do feel this 
gesture is both meaningful and important to those concerned. It also 
serves as a reminder that our nation has not forgotten their 
sacrifices.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 43

         Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
     of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

     SECTION 1. USE OF COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE STORES BY CERTAIN 
                   DISABLED FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 54 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 1064 the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1064a. Use of commissary and exchange stores by 
       certain disabled former prisoners of war

       ``(a) In General.--Under regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary of Defense, former prisoners of war described in 
     subsection (b) may use commissary and exchange stores.
       ``(b) Covered Individuals.--Subsection (a) applies to any 
     former prisoner of war who--
       ``(1) separated from active duty in the armed forces under 
     honorable conditions; and
       ``(2) has a service-connected disability rated by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs at 30 percent or more.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `former prisoner of war' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 101(32) of title 38.
       ``(2) The term `service-connected' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101(16) of title 38.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1064 the following new item:

``1064a. Use of commissary and exchange stores by certain disabled 
              former prisoners of war.''.
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