[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 VETERANS GUARANTEED BONUS ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2007

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3793, the 
Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. I am proud to cosponsor this important, 
bipartisan legislation which will ensure that members of the Armed 
Services who are discharged as a result of combat-related wounds 
receive the full compensation to which they are entitled.
  H.R. 3793 was prompted by the recommendations of the Commission on 
Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, co-chaired by former 
Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services 
Donna Shalala. It will reverse a Department of Defense rule that 
unfairly penalizes wounded soldiers and prohibits them from receiving 
their full enlistment bonuses.
  While facing the threat of a hostile enemy, our veterans have too 
often returned home to find more trouble: gaps in health care services, 
limited educational assistance, problems finding employment and a lack 
of support for their families. Too often, our brave military men and 
women find that while they have been willing to serve their country, 
their country is not ready to serve them. We can take an important step 
in reversing that trend by ensuring that veterans receive all the pay 
for which they are entitled.
  According to Department of Defense rules, enlistees cannot receive 
their full enlistment bonus unless they fulfill their entire military 
obligation. Unfortunately, members of the Armed Services who are 
wounded while on active duty are not receiving their full bonuses 
because their service was prematurely cut short. The Veterans 
Guaranteed Bonus Act will correct this problem by requiring the 
Department of Defense to provide veterans who have been discharged due 
to combat-related wounds with full payment of remaining bonuses within 
30 days of discharge. This will ensure that America's wounded warriors 
receive the full compensation promised to them.
  These wounded veterans have earned their bonuses by answering the 
call to service. Now is the time to heed the recommendation of the 
Dole-Shalala Commission and fix this problem.
  I would like to thank Congressman Jason Altmire for introducing this 
legislation and Chairman Bob Filner for prioritizing the health and 
well-being of the Nation's veterans.

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