[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4546, BOB STUMP NATIONAL DEFENSE 
                 AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

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                               speech of

                           HON. JO ANN DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on 
H.R. 4546, The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal 
Year 2003. I believe that this year's Defense Authorization package is 
a compromise that does many good things. In particular, I was extremely 
happy to see that the Committee would offer its full support for 
restoring the original schedule for CVNX-1.
  However, Mr. Speaker, I must point out that I am disappointed at the 
lack of progress that we have made on the issue of concurrent receipt. 
Yes, this legislation would allow some of our retired veterans to 
receive both their VA disability and retirement pay. However, in a real 
sense, this is not true concurrent receipt as payments are authorized 
through the Special Stipend for the Severely Disabled Retirees. It is a 
step, but quite frankly, it is not enough.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to reemphasize my support for inclusion and 
passage of a full version of concurrent receipt in future years. It is 
something our veterans deserve and is owed to them. I am fully aware of 
its costs. The Administration, simply put, should either add the money 
and program for it, or request that this be made a mandatory spending 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I am aware that many members do not fully support this 
and see it as simply ``pork''. However, let's look at what this is for. 
VA disability payments, in a very real sense, are earned. The military 
life is a job unlike any other profession. That's why it is often 
referred to as a calling. The risks associated with this profession are 
higher than most and often result in injury that years later becomes 
debilitating. That is why we have disability payments for our service 
members.
  Mr. Speaker, as we hold this debate, we stand on the cusp of another 
war, one which will surely cause more casualties and more debilitating 
injuries to our young servicemen. We should do the right thing and 
grant concurrent receipt to our current and future veterans.

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