[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 4546, BOB STUMP NATIONAL DEFENSE 
                 AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

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                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this motion to 
instruct, and I thank my friend from Mississippi for offering it 
tonight. This motion would call on the House conferees to support a 
Senate provision in the defense authorization bill to allow disabled 
military retirees to receive concurrent payment of retired pay and 
disability compensation.
  This is truly an issue of basic fairness. We owe our veterans a debt 
that we can never repay. They did not hesitate to answer their 
country's call, and stand up to defend our freedom. But current law 
ignores that sacrifice, and requires disabled military retirees to 
actually fund their own disability compensation by waiving a portion of 
their retiree benefits. 400,000 veterans sacrifice their retirement pay 
every month.
  Earlier today, this House voted to allow the President to use 
military force in Iraq. Now is our chance to tell the men and women who 
may very well serve in Iraq that we appreciate their service, that we 
will never forget their sacrifice. Now is our chance to show through 
actions, not just words, that we honor the work they do for our 
country.
  We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude, but more than that we owe 
them our unwavering support. I urge my colleagues to support this 
motion to instruct so that veterans can collect their full retirement 
pay and their disability compensation. They have certainly earned it.

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