[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Ms. Landrieu):
  S. 66. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit former 
members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability 
rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to 
the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces are entitled to 
travel on such aircraft; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing a bill which is 
of great importance to a group of patriotic Americans. This legislation 
is designed to extend space-available travel privileges on military 
aircraft to those who have been totally disabled in the service of our 
country.
  Currently, retired members of the Armed Services are permitted to 
travel on a space-available basis on non-scheduled military flights 
within the continental United States, and on scheduled overseas flights 
operated by the Military Airlift Command. My bill would provide the 
same benefits for veterans with 100 percent service-connected 
disabilities.
  We owe these heroic men and women who have given so much to our 
country a debt of gratitude. Of course, we can never repay them for the 
sacrifices they have made on behalf of our Nation, but we can surely 
try to make their lives more pleasant and fulfilling. One way in which 
we can help is to extend military travel privileges to these 
distinguished American veterans. I have received numerous letters from 
all over the country attesting to the importance attached to this issue 
by veterans. Therefore, I ask that my colleagues show their concern and 
join me in saying ``thank you'' by supporting this legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 66

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. TRAVEL ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF CERTAIN DISABLED 
                   FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 53 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended by inserting after section 1060b the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1060c. Travel on military aircraft: certain disabled 
       former members of the armed forces

       ``The Secretary of Defense shall permit any former member 
     of the armed forces who is entitled to compensation under the 
     laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a 
     service-connected disability rated as total to travel, in the 
     same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the 
     armed forces, on unscheduled military flights within the 
     continental United States and on scheduled overseas flights 
     operated by the Air Mobility Command. The Secretary of 
     Defense shall permit such travel on a space-available 
     basis.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 53 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 1060b the following new 
     item:

``1060c. Travel on military aircraft: certain disabled former members 
              of the armed forces.''.
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