[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
100, of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. Considering the hundreds of 
thousands of people serving our country around the world and the many 
active duty servicemembers currently returning from the Middle East, 
this is a very timely bill.
  As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I support 
strengthening legal protections for those on active duty in the armed 
forces. Just as we depend on them to defend our country, they depend on 
us to provide fair and updated benefits and services.
  This bill updates laws in place to protect servicemembers from being 
harmed in civil, financial, or legal proceedings. All too often I hear 
stories of deployed soldiers receiving calls from family that they 
cannot afford to pay rent and will face eviction, or that debt is 
piling up, or that the family cannot break a lease in order to move to 
a more affordable home. This bill, which has the support of many 
veterans groups and military organizations, as well as the legal 
community, would help fix those dire situations for those serving in 
active duty and their families.
  I am pleased to vote in favor of providing these overdue protections 
revisions. The passage of H.R. 100 will be a testament to our men and 
women in uniform--and their families--that their country supports and 
applauds their courageous service.

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