[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, due to a medical emergency in my family, I 
was unable to cast my vote for two very important pieces of legislation 
considered the week of October 6, 2003.
  Had I been present, I would have voted for H.R. 2998 (rollcall No. 
537), a bill to exempt certain members of the Armed Forces from the 
requirement to pay subsistence charges while hospitalized. I believe it 
is abhorrent that this practice has been allowed to continue for so 
long and am pleased the House has acted to amend this law. The least we 
can do for the brave men and women who were hospitalized because they 
served our nation and were wounded, is to not charge them for food.
  In addition, I would also have voted for H.R. 2997 (rollcall No. 
536), the ``Veterans Benefits Act.'' Amongst many other provisions, 
this bill makes permanent the eligibility of certain former members of 
the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans and provides that the 
remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran after age 55 should not 
bar the payment of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation.
  Also, on Wednesday, October 15, I was unable to show my support for 
H.R. 1828 (rollcall No. 543), the Syria Accountability and Lebanese 
Sovereignty Act. Holding these nations accountable for their actions 
will only ensure a more stable environment in the Middle East.
  Again, I am pleased the House took such decisive action on all these 
bills and I look forward to them moving swiftly through the legislative 
process.

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