[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S550-S552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HEROES ACT
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I am very pleased to be standing here
today with my colleague and friend, Senator Joe Lieberman. We serve on
the Armed Services Committee together. Much has been said in recent
years about a lack of bipartisanship in the Senate, but there is an
issue before us today that I believe all Members agree on, and
certainly Senator Lieberman and I do. We need to be sure that we care
adequately and generously for the brave men and women who have lost a
loved one who served this country in combat. We have offered together
the HEROES Act. We introduced it Monday as S. 77, along with 20 other
cosponsors. This is an overdue and critical piece of legislation that
contemplates the moral obligation we in the Senate owe to our Armed
Forces.
I am pleased Majority Leader Bill Frist has made this legislation a
part of his package of priorities for the year and that Senator John
Warner, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said he will give us a
prompt hearing on the issue. I also note that Senator DeWine and
Senator George Allen of Virginia have also offered legislation relative
to this issue.
No amount of money, of course, can ever replace the loss a family
feels when their husband, wife, son, or daughter dies defending our
country, carrying out the policies of this Government as they are
directed by the Congress and the President of the United States. But
this is a wealthy Nation, and we can and must do more to ensure that
all those who fall in defense of the United States know without a doubt
that their loved ones will be well taken care of--generously taken care
of.
Earlier this month, on a trip to Iraq, I flew from Baghdad to Kuwait
aboard a C-130 about 9:30 at night. It was a very somber trip because
traveling with us were two flag-draped coffins, the remains of soldiers
who had given their lives for their country. They are doing this too
often. They are doing this true to the mission we ask of them and to
the fellowship and the spirit and the courage of the units with which
they serve. As those coffins were removed from the aircraft--and I saw
all the service people who were at the airport that night spontaneously
come out to be there to show their respect--it reminded me, once again,
that this legislation is important. This grateful Nation needs to be
generous to those who have served.
The families are not coming to us. They are not asking and demanding
more money and more benefits. They have always borne the cost and
hardship of military service silently, proudly, and steadfastly.
However, those of us with the power to enact change must ensure that we
are adequately meeting our responsibilities as a people to those
families who serve us. The HEROES Act will do that, and it should move
through this Congress as expeditiously as possible to final passage.
I am also pleased to announce this legislation has resonated with
various organizations that work to ensure the best services and
benefits for our veterans. They have read the HEROES Act and decided
that this is the right thing to do for our Armed Forces. As of this
afternoon, the 380,000 members of the Military Officers Association of
America, the 2.4 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and
the 2.8 million members strong of the American Legion and the National
Military Families Association have all voiced their unqualified support
for this legislation. I am proud to have their backing, and I ask
unanimous consent that their letters be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States,
Washington, DC, January 24, 2005.
Hon. Jeff Sessions,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Sessions: On behalf of the 2.4 million members
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our
Ladies Auxiliary, I would like to offer our support for ``The
HEROES Act of 2005,'' legislation that would amend Title 10
and Title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for the
families of deceased members of the Armed Forces.
As the number of servicemen and women killed in the war on
terror continues, it is imperative that we recognize the need
to provide not only emotional support to their families, but
much-needed financial assistance during this troubling time.
By increasing the current $12,000 military death gratuity
payment to $100,000, your legislation will stand by the
Federal government's promise to take care of those left
behind when a servicemember dies in the line of duty. We also
applaud the bill's proposal that would increase the
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) maximum benefit
from $250,000 to $400,000. VFW resolution 642, passed at our
National Convention in August, calls for legislation to
improve the SGLI benefit; an increase we believe is long
overdue.
Once again, thank you for introducing legislation that will
help ensure that those families that have lost a loved one in
the name of freedom receive the support and financial
assistance that truly demonstrates our appreciation for those
who sacrificed all.
We look forward to working with you and your staff on this
legislation. As always, thank you for your continued support
of America's veterans.
Sincerely,
Dennis Cullinan,
National Legislative Service.
____
The American Legion,
Washington, DC, January 25, 2005.
Hon. Jeff Sessions,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Sessions: On behalf of the 2.8 million members
of The American Legion, I would like to express our full
support for the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Act
of 2005/HEROES Act of 2005. The initiatives outlined in this
bill will greatly assist the families and loved ones of
servicemen and women who died in combat.
The American Legion supports the augmentation of the lump-
sum death benefit and the maximum payout from life insurance
to families of soldiers killed in combat. For those who have
made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms, this
act goes far to ease the hardships incurred by those
families. However, The American Legion believes the benefits
of this act should be extended to the families of all our
servicemen and women killed in the service of the nation.
Once again, The American Legion fully supports Honoring
Every Requirement of Exemplary Act of 2005/HEROES Act of
2005. The American Legion appreciates your continued
leadership in addressing the issues that are important to
veterans, members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Sincerely,
Steve A. Robertson,
Director,
National Legislative Commission.
____
National Military Family Association.
The National Military Family Association thanks Senator
Jeff Sessions and Senator Joe Lieberman for their active
interest in the well being of our military families should
the unthinkable happen. NMFA is grateful for the recognition
in The HEROES Act of 2005 that the election of insurance is a
family decision and for including a provision to ensure that
spouses are included in that important decision.
For the family members of a fallen servicemember, NMFA
knows that there is no way to compensate them for their loss,
only to help them prepare for their future. We strongly
believe that all servicemember's deaths should be treated
equally. Servicemembers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year. Through their oath, each
servicemember's commitment is the same. The survivor benefit
package should not create inequities by awarding different
benefits to families who lose a servicemember in a hostile
zone versus those who lose their loved one in a training
mission preparing for service in a hostile zone. To the
family, there is no difference. NMFA therefore supports
proposals for improvements to the survivor benefit package
that are consistent with our philosophy that all active duty
deaths be treated equally. We encourage Members of Congress
to examine the total package with the goal of recognizing the
service and sacrifice of the servicemember and family and
providing compensation that promotes the financial stability
of the family.
Kathleen B. Moakler,
Deputy Director, Government Relations.
[[Page S551]]
Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I thank them for their service to the
Nation over the years, for their concern for our men and women in
uniform, and for their support of this legislation. The loss of a
family member in combat is, indeed, a terrible tragedy for the
survivors. I have had the responsibility to call numerous families in
Alabama since the war on terrorism began and talk to family members and
attend funerals and wakes for those who have been lost. So many things
occur to these families all at once. In the midst of their grieving,
plans must be made for funerals, transportation of loved ones, and
families must bear all the expenses and arrangements. To the survivors,
it will feel like everything in the world has come to a shattering
standstill. Indeed, there may be requirements that a family move,
relocate, or either sell or purchase a house. There are great numbers
of expenses that can occur for them at that time. The enhanced benefit
package we have offered will ensure that our military families do not
have to worry about these day-to-day realities as they are having to go
through the painful exercise of burying a loved one.
Senator Lieberman is here. He has cosponsored and worked with us on
this legislation. I note that it raises the $12,000 death benefit to
$100,000. It raises the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance from $250,000
to $400,000. Those increases will keep these payments up to date with
current reality and be an expression of national support for those
families.
It is an honor to work with Senator Lieberman on the committee on a
lot of different issues. We thank him for his leadership in the Senate
and for his support of our men and women in uniform.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I thank my friend and colleague from
Alabama for his kind words. I thank him for his leadership on this
issue and so many other matters to our Nation's security and for those
who fight and serve in uniform to protect us.
Senator Sessions and I have worked together as members of the Armed
Services Committee. He was chair, and I was ranking Democrat on the
Airland Subcommittee. In some ways, the public, after listening to the
chatter and the noise, would be surprised to hear we work so often in
these committees with total nonpartisanship in the national interest,
which is the way it ought to be.
I forgot the moment, but we were considering the question of what
kinds of benefits there are for our men and women in uniform, and we
came to death benefits. We were both, frankly, shocked and embarrassed
and ultimately outraged that it had been $6,000, just raised to
$12,000. When you think of death benefits generally and the impact on a
family, the loss of a loved one, it just cried out for some kind of
change. That is what this proposal, the HEROES Act, is all about and
why I am so proud to join with Senator Sessions and the other
cosponsors in introducing it and why I am grateful Senator Frist
included this as one of his priority items on his leadership list of
measures introduced.
I had one of those moments we all have--I guess all Members of the
Senate do this--where I got word today of a loss of another Connecticut
soldier, SGT Thomas Vitagliano. If I am not in the State because we are
in session, I always reach out to call the family.
I spoke with his mother earlier today. These are extraordinary
people. She spoke with a strength that I must say was inspiring. I
said: There is nothing I can say to fill the gap that is there because
of the loss of a loved one in service of country. All I can say to you
is, thank you on behalf of myself and a grateful nation and please know
that your son is a hero.
She said to me: He loved his service in the military. He was a big
guy and he had a great sense of humor, but he was really serious about
his service in the military.
I know that he was killed by an improvised explosive device, IED,
basically a bomb. She said to me: I know that he died in service of his
country, he died doing what gave his life meaning.
She also said to me: Senator, I am really thinking now in just the
words you said, as the mother of a hero. There will be a time after his
burial when I will think as a mother, and it will be a very hard time.
But today I am thinking as the mother of a hero.
That is what this HEROES Act is all about, Honoring Every Requirement
of Exemplary Service Act, the HEROES Act of 2005. We could not come up
with any sum of money to reimburse a family for the loss of a loved
one, but the fact is that these folks put their lives on the line for
us. They are there, more specifically, as a result of our decision and
the President's as Commander in Chief. The least we can do for them is
$100,000 in a death benefit.
I am very pleased, also, as I believe Senator Sessions said, that
under this HEROES Act we are going to increase the Servicemen's Group
Life Insurance, or SGLI as it is called. That is a benefit that is now
at $250,000. It is basically term insurance. It is a pretty good plan.
It is not a typical death benefit that we are offering for those who
are killed in action, but it certainly, obviously, goes to the
survivors of those killed in action. By the HEROES Act, we are adding
$150,000 of life insurance for troops serving in a combat zone, and the
premium for that $150,000 will be paid by the U.S. Government.
So we have a circumstance where if a soldier has bought the SGLI, the
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance, their family will receive the
$250,000, for which the soldier pays, $150,000 which we pay, and
$100,000 that will now be the death benefit, and that will be a half
million dollars, which in these days is not a lot of money for families
left without a parent, a spouse, children who are going to have to be
sent through college and all the expenses related thereto.
The $12,000 that is the existing death benefit is so shockingly
paltry, but all the more so when you focus on the fact--and this
earlier $6,000 goes way back when it was first set--that the military
has changed. Our military, as all of us know who serve on the service
committees or visit our military or just see our Guard and Reserve at
home, is no longer primarily a group of 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old
single men. More than 60 percent of our service men and women on Active
Duty have a family.
If my colleagues have visited, they know in Iraq about 40 percent of
the Americans there in uniform are Guard and Reserve. Those folks are
in their thirties, forties, and during my visit at the end of December
I saw a few who were in pretty good shape but looked as though they
were in their fifties.
So these are people who have families, and if killed, it will leave a
terrible void in the life of those families. And in some small way we
hope to fill that void monetarily by providing this increase in
support.
Incidentally, the HEROES Act will also direct the military to discuss
the level of insurance selected with a spouse or other beneficiary to
ensure that family members are informed and fully participating in
these important decisions.
The great President Theodore Roosevelt once said: A man who is good
enough to shed blood for his country is good enough to be given a
square deal afterward. I would attempt to update the great TR's wisdom
and words by saying that a man or a woman who is good enough to shed
blood and risk life for our country should know when doing so that
their families will be taken care of no matter what happens. That is
the purpose of the HEROES Act.
I do not think I have ever introduced legislation that I have felt
better about or, frankly, felt more optimistic about. I cannot believe
this is not going to pass overwhelmingly and be supported
overwhelmingly. When we think of all we are spending--incidentally, it
is retroactive so anyone who has been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan
will receive these full death benefits. What it will amount to in total
is a fraction of one percentage point of what we are spending every
month, probably every day, in Iraq. It is the least we can do.
I am proud to be part of it with Senator Sessions. I thank him again
for his leadership. He and I and all the others are going to stick with
it until we get this done and the checks start to go out to those who
have given their all to protect our security and advance the cause of
freedom.
I yield the floor.
[[Page S552]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, has the Senator from Alabama finished?
Mr. SESSIONS. I would like a few minutes to finish up if the Senator
will yield.
Mr. TALENT. I will yield.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.
Mr. SESSIONS. I thank Senator Talent for his courtesy which is well-
known in this body.
Mr. President, Senator Lieberman is correct. The families I talk to
so often say to me about their son or daughter or spouse who lost their
life that they loved their work, they were doing what they wanted to
do, they believed in what they were doing, and that gives them comfort.
I have heard that over and over again. It is very similar to what the
Senator heard today.
I know the Senator's call was very comforting to the family because I
know the Senator has the sensitivity and judgment to reach out to them
in the proper way. It is not an easy thing to do, for sure.
I have, indeed, valued the Senator's partnership on the Airland
Subcommittee. We have never had a harsh word nor even a serious
disagreement. It does show that those of us who are from different
parties love America, we want to see our military using the money
wisely and doing the right things with it.
It has been a pleasure for me to work with the Senator from
Connecticut. I have learned so much from him.
I will not go over the benefits of the program, which Senator
Lieberman has already mentioned. I think that this legislation is a
step in the right direction. I would note that it is retroactive to the
beginning of the war in Afghanistan. I would also note that the Defense
Department has studied this legislation. I asked them to do that last
year as part of our Defense bill. They support it. It will have an
initial cost estimated at $459 million, and it should drop to half of
that in the future and hopefully much less than that. I think these
costs are clearly justified.
Our service members are assigned all over the globe in dangerous
parts of the world. As an editorial in the San Diego Union Tribune
said:
The costs are beside the point. This is a case in which
lawmakers have a moral obligation to do the right thing,
regardless of cost.
I think this legislation is the right thing. I do believe we have
great support so far and I look forward to seeing it become law. I also
thank the Chair for his cosponsorship of this legislation.
I thank Senator Talent for his courtesy, and I yield the floor.
Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I was happy to yield to my friend. I
thought he was finished or I would not have sought the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri is recognized.
____________________