[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 125 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE MERCHANT MARINES

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY, Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the great forgotten 
heroes of our country, the United States merchant marines who bravely 
served our Nation during World War II. For too long, these servicemen 
have been denied the recognition they deserve and the benefits they 
have earned, and I am proud to support H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You 
to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act, which rights this 
historic wrong.
  During World War II, civilians and merchant seamen served alongside 
our Armed Forces in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans to bring vital 
goods, materials, and manpower to the theaters of combat. Many former 
merchant seamen returned to serve during the war while others left 
school to volunteer in the merchant marine. At the end of the war, the 
merchant mariners were instrumental in safely transporting millions of 
members of the Armed Forces back home to the U.S. Although these men 
were not considered part of our Nation's ``active duty'' military 
service, their missions were characterized by more than 9,000 
casualties as a result of attacks from enemy forces, the highest of any 
branch of armed service.
  As a grateful nation, we cannot deny the heavy sacrifices endured by 
these important members of the greatest generation. The merchant 
mariners deserve compensation for having been refused access to G.I. 
bill benefits at the conclusion of World War II and a pension as a 
reward for their service. H.R. 23 will establish Merchant Mariner 
Equity Compensation Fund to provide monthly payments of $l,000 to 
eligible members of the merchant marine or their survivors who served 
during World War II. We can no longer ignore our responsibility to 
repay those who have defended and preserved our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud that the House passed H.R. 23 and sent the 
bold message that we will support all of America's veterans. We owe the 
merchant mariners so much, and it's about time we give them the thank 
you they deserve.

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