[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E267-E268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION REGARDING MILITARY RETIREMENT CREDIT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce legislation, along with 
Representative

[[Page E268]]

Peter King (R-NY), which would ensure that members of the National 
Guard who served in the counties declared federal disaster areas 
because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks receive military retirement 
credit for that service. Many of the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 
69th Infantry Division of the New York Army National Guard, which is 
located in my district, served at Ground Zero and in the surrounding 
counties after the terrorist attacks for almost a year to assist with 
security, reconstruction, and recovery efforts. These soldiers were 
serving under state active duty rather than federal active duty. As a 
result, those days of service currently are not being counted toward 
their military retirement credit. However, other Companies in the 1st 
Battalion were activated under federal duty and served at West Point 
for a similar length of time to help with its security.
  This legislation will correct this inequity. Because all of these 
National Guard members clearly aided in the federal response to the 9/
11 attacks, I strongly believe that they should have those days counted 
toward their military retirement credit. The terrorist attacks of 
September 11, 2001, were an unprecedented event in American history. We 
should show our gratitude to these brave men and women by giving them 
the retirement benefits to which they are entitled.

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