[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1910]
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. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend, 
Congressman Gene Taylor from Mississippi, for introducing this 
important motion to instruct conferees on the issue of concurrent 
receipt.
  As I meet with constituents throughout my district--from San Antonio 
to the border cities of Starr County--the number one issue consistently 
raised is concurrent receipt.
  Whether at town hall meetings, school visits, church lectures, or in 
one on one meetings, military retirees and their families remind me 
about this injustice.
  Concurrent receipt is a century old law which forces military 
retirees to forfeit one dollar of retired pay for each dollar of 
disability compensation received from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
  That's retired pay they earned by years of service, and that's 
disability compensation they receive for injuries sustained in the 
service of our Nation.
  This system forces our sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen to 
subsidize their own disability. This is an outrage.
  I urge my colleagues to eliminate this disgraceful system completely, 
once and for all.
  Time is really of the essence. It is wrong of us to wait one more 
year.
  It is appalling to know that disabled veterans, who have sacrificed 
so much for this country, are not receiving the benefits and support 
they are entitled to upon retirement.
  I, like more than 400 members of this House, have added my support as 
a co-sponsor of legislation which would end this unfair practice.
  The time for lip service has ended. Now we must act.
  In recent months this country has called upon our military personal 
to serve our country, and they have responded quickly, forcefully and 
without hesitation.
  Just earlier today this House voted to authorize a full-scale war 
against Iraq. Many more of our brave sons and daughters will return 
with disabilities.
  I urge the defense authorization conferees to end this shameful 
practice now and provide for the total elimination of concurrent 
receipt restrictions.
  I urge the White House to stop threatening to veto the defense bill.
  We should not balance our defense budget on the backs of disabled 
retirees.
  Let's stand up to veto threats.
  Let's stand up for our heroes.
  Let's stand up for what we know is right.

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