[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 175 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1438, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR 
                            FISCAL YEAR 2002

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                               speech of

                             HON. JIM RYUN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, as our military forces continue to 
confront the terrorism, we must remember the burden that is being 
carried by our personnel and their families. They have been called on 
to make even greater sacrifices to protect the freedoms of our nation. 
For the past several years, military personnel accounts have been 
stretched at the expense of those who need it most.
  With the largest pay raise since 1982, S. 1438 allows every service 
member to receive a 5 to 10 percent raise. This bill acts to cut out-
of-pocket housing costs for military personnel, with a goal to 
completely eliminate the expense by 2005.
  There are many pressures in today's force that influence the decision 
of a military family of whether or not to remain in the service. This 
body has witnessed an ever-increasing challenge of recruiting and 
retaining. We have found that providing a valuable, quality health care 
benefit is vital to maintaining the welfare of our families.
  This bill works to protect the health care choices of one important 
group: military spouses. I have worked hard to put women back in charge 
of their pregnancy-related healthcare. Provisions of this bill will 
eliminate burdensome red tape experienced when attempting to retain a 
physician of their choice. By fully funding the defense health program, 
we are striving to build a military healthcare system that attracts 
patients based on quality, not on rules & regulations.
  Now, more than ever before we realize that our presence represents a 
stabilizing force to countries around the globe. With pace of 
deployments likely to be increased, the Armed Services Committee has 
appropriately concentrated on enhancing quality of life issues in 
support of our deserving personnel.
  I am pleased that this bill directly addresses the quality-of-life 
problems of today's service members.

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