[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 64 (Monday, May 22, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DISABLED VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, next Monday we will honor all that have 
made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting our country. I rise 
today to honor our disabled veterans still with us that have sacrificed 
so much.
  On the last Monday of May every year, Members of this body celebrate 
Memorial Day by walking in parades, making speeches, and talking to 
active and retired military men and women. We tell them how much we 
appreciate their efforts and thank them for their services. We do this 
proudly as they deserve our respect and admiration for serving this 
great country.
  Currently, American troops defend our freedom on many different 
fronts and veterans are at the forefront of our legislative priorities. 
The number of veterans coming home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other 
areas increases daily and it is our responsibility to ensure their 
needs are met. While our veterans may be out of harm's way, our 
responsibility to them remains.
  I am introducing legislation to further our commitment to our 
disabled veterans that have served our country with valor. Currently, 
every year Congress enacts a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans' 
disability benefits. We have done this every year since 1978. In fact, 
both Congress and the President assume this COLA will be enacted every 
year.
  My legislation, the Veterans Disability Compensation Automatic COLA 
Act, would simply make the COLAs for veterans' disability benefits 
automatic each year. Veterans should not have to depend on Congress 
adjusting their disability benefits every year. Social Security and 
Medicare have automatic COLA adjustments. Our veterans deserve to have 
that same security. Furthermore, because Congress and the President 
assume this increase in their budget every year, my bill has no 
budgetary effect.
  I am also pleased to enter into the Record letters of support from 
the Disabled American Veterans as well as American Veterans (AMVETS). 
These veterans service organizations support this bill to assure 
veterans the COLA they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot and should not assume future Congresses will 
act to adjust veterans' disability COLAs every year. I ask my 
colleagues to join me to ensure our veterans get the benefits they 
deserve without having to rely on a superfluous yearly act by Congress.

                                   Disabled American Veterans,

                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 2006.
     Hon. Joe Knollenberg,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Knollenberg: On behalf of the 1.5 
     million members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and 
     its Auxiliary, I write in support of the measure you are 
     introducing today, the Veterans' Disability Compensation 
     Automatic COLA Act.
       Your bill would protect the benefits of sick and disabled 
     veterans and their dependents by preserving its intent and 
     beneficial purpose. Specifically, the bill would 
     automatically increase the rates of disability compensation, 
     dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and the annual 
     clothing allowance by the percentage of increase in the cost 
     of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index without 
     precluding any other increases deemed necessary in the 
     future.
        Other benefits such as automobile and housing grants, and 
     burial and plot allowances, for which Congress has regularly 
     enacted legislation to adjust these benefits have had their 
     value seriously eroded. Unless the amounts of disability 
     compensation, DIC, and clothing allowance are periodically 
     adjusted, inflation diminishes the significance and 
     effectiveness of these benefits.
       Again, I want to thank you for your continued effort to 
     protect and enhance the benefits and services of veterans who 
     are disabled by virtue of their selfless sacrifice and 
     service to our nation, and their dependents.
           Sincerely,
                                               Joseph A. Violante,
     National Legislative Director.
                                  ____



                                                       AMVETS,

                                         Lanham, MD, May 22, 2006.
     Hon. Joe Knollenberg,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Knollenberg: On behalf of AMVETS 
     (American Veterans), I want to thank you for your legislation 
     that will provide a timely and guaranteed cost-of-living 
     adjustment for our nation's disabled veterans.
       AMVETS endorses your legislation to automatically increase 
     veterans' disability benefits by the Consumer Price Index 
     (CPI) each year, without an act of Congress. It is important 
     VA benefits keep pace with society and the cost of living. 
     Your bill will see that veterans' benefits are increased 
     proportionately and will sustain the same buying power as in 
     previous years.
       AMVETS supports our nation's commitment to care for the men 
     and women who have served in our military service. I strongly 
     encourage the House Veterans' Affairs Committee to act 
     favorably on this legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                    James B. King,
                                      National Executive Director.

     

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