[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PENSION ADJUSTMENT 
                           EQUITY ACT OF 2007

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2007

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, along with my colleague from 
Pennsylvania, Mr. Platts, I am proud to I introduce the Federal Law 
Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007. I am also very 
pleased to have other distinguished members of this body as original 
cosponsors of this important bipartisan legislation, including Mr. 
Stupak of Michigan and Ms. Jo Ann Davis, Mr. Moran and Ms. Drake of 
Virginia.
  Retirees of the United States Park Police and the Secret Service 
Uniformed Division who began their careers before January 1, 1984, were 
promised that, upon retirement, the would receive increases in their 
annuities proportional to pay increases for active duty servicfmen and 
women. However, language included into the 2001 Consolidated 
Appropriations Act specifically denied this promise to this group of 
retirees as a cost-saving measure.
  As a consequence, these retirees have been denied an annuity increase 
at great personal financial cost, even though they entered federal 
uniformed service with the promise that these annuities would be there 
for them upon retirement. This is a gross injustice to those who put 
their lives on the line every day in service to their country.
  That is why we are introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Pension 
Adjustment Equity Act of 2007, to ensure that Congress does what is 
right, what is just and what is fair. This legislation is bipartisan 
and should not be controversial. It is my hope that this body can move 
this bill expeditiously through the legislative process and correct an 
injustice against uniformed federal personnel who have been willing to 
make the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country.

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