[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5422-H5428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BELATED THANK YOU TO THE MERCHANT MARINERS OF WORLD WAR II ACT OF 2009

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 23) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity 
Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served 
in the United States Merchant Marine (including the Army Transport 
Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 23

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Belated Thank You to the 
     Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED DURING WORLD WAR 
                   II IN THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE.

       (a) Establishment of Compensation Fund.--Subchapter II of 
     chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 533. Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund

       ``(a) Compensation Fund.--(1) There is in the general fund 
     of the Treasury a fund to be known as the `Merchant Mariner 
     Equity Compensation Fund' (in this section referred to as the 
     `compensation fund').
       ``(2) Subject to the availability of appropriations for 
     such purpose, amounts in the compensation fund shall be 
     available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to 
     make payments to eligible individuals in accordance with this 
     section.
       ``(b) Eligible Individuals.--(1) An eligible individual is 
     an individual who--
       ``(A) during the one-year period beginning on the date of 
     the enactment of the Belated Thank You to the Merchant 
     Mariners of World War II Act of 2009, submits to the 
     Secretary an application containing such information and 
     assurances as the Secretary may require;
       ``(B) has not received benefits under the Servicemen's 
     Readjustment Act of 1944 (Public Law 78-346); and
       ``(C) has engaged in qualified service.
       ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a person has engaged 
     in qualified service if, between December 7, 1941, and 
     December 31, 1946, the person--
       ``(A) was a member of the United States merchant marine 
     (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport 
     Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was--
       ``(i) operated by the War Shipping Administration or the 
     Office of Defense Transportation (or an agent of the 
     Administration or Office);
       ``(ii) operated in waters other than inland waters, the 
     Great Lakes, and other lakes, bays, and harbors of the United 
     States;
       ``(iii) under contract or charter to, or property of, the 
     Government of the United States; and
       ``(iv) serving the Armed Forces; and
       ``(B) while so serving, was licensed or otherwise 
     documented for service as a crewmember of such a vessel by an 
     officer or employee of the United States authorized to 
     license or document the person for such service.
       ``(c) Amount of Payments.--The Secretary shall make a 
     monthly payment out of the compensation fund in the amount of 
     $1,000 to an eligible individual. The Secretary shall make 
     such payments to eligible individuals in the order in which 
     the Secretary receives the applications of the eligible 
     individuals.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the compensation fund 
     amounts as follows:
       ``(A) For fiscal year 2010, $120,000,000.
       ``(B) For fiscal year 2011, $108,000,000.
       ``(C) For fiscal year 2012, $97,000,000.
       ``(D) For fiscal year 2013, $85,000,000.

[[Page H5423]]

       ``(E) For fiscal year 2014, $75,000,000.
       ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(e) Reports.--The Secretary shall include, in documents 
     submitted to Congress by the Secretary in support of the 
     President's budget for each fiscal year, detailed information 
     on the operation of the compensation fund, including the 
     number of applicants, the number of eligible individuals 
     receiving benefits, the amounts paid out of the compensation 
     fund, the administration of the compensation fund, and an 
     estimate of the amounts necessary to fully fund the 
     compensation fund for that fiscal year and each of the three 
     subsequent fiscal years.
       ``(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out this section.''.
       (b) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe the 
     regulations required under section 532(f) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a).
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item related to section 532 the following new item:

``533. Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 23, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 23, the Belated Thank You to the 
Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009, a measure, frankly, 
whose passage is six decades overdue.
  I think today we are on the verge of doing a great deed, providing a 
way to finally give the heroic Merchant Mariners of World War II the 
belated compensation they so richly deserve. Congress has a 
responsibility to correct the wrongs of the past, and this is one of 
the grave injustices that deserve rectifying.
  I thank all the cosponsors of the resolution, including some 40 
Republicans. I know that many of you were trying to be added as 
cosponsors after the report was filed. I just would like to name for 
the record Mr. Tierney, Mr. Meek, Ms. Jenkins and Mr. Kildee.

                              {time}  1515

  For the remaining Members of the House who are not cosponsors of the 
amended version which passed unanimously out of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, let me tell you the sad history of these forgotten 
heroes.
  The merchant mariners of World War II traversed the dangerous U-boat-
laden waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific, faced down fierce attacks 
from enemy aircraft, and were instrumental in every theater of war by 
carrying 95 percent of all the tanks, supplies, and troops during World 
War II.
  As a result, they suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the 
military branches. It is indisputable that the Allied Forces would not 
have been able to begin, sustain, or end World War II without their 
valiant and selfless service. It is also indisputable that these men 
now are entitled to be compensated for that service. After the war, 
they did not receive recognition as veterans that they deserved or the 
benefits of the unprecedented GI Bill of 1944, which they had earned 
and were promised. Eight million military families were able to take 
advantage of that GI Bill, entering the middle class, but the merchant 
mariners were not.
  When the GI Bill was signed in 1944, as I said, which gave 
unprecedented education, housing, small business loans, and health 
benefits to World War II servicemembers, President Roosevelt declared, 
after losing the fight to have the merchant mariners included in the 
original bill, ``I trust Congress will soon provide similar 
opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their 
lives time and time again for the welfare of their country.'' Congress 
never did. My friends, promises made should be promises kept.
  Their fight for equity continued for over 40 years when they finally 
attained veteran status after a lengthy court battle, Schumacher, 
Willner, et al. v. Secretary of the Air Force Edward C. Aldridge, Jr. 
By then, over 125,000 mariners had died. As the judge ruled in that 
case, the mariners had ``every reasonable expectation that they would 
be treated as veterans'' entitled to the benefits of the GI Bill of 
Rights of 1944, based on the service they performed, not happened to 
perform. History supports this conclusion.
  I had the distinct privilege of receiving the heart-wrenching 
testimony, during a full committee hearing, of one of the named parties 
to this lawsuit, a merchant mariner named Stanley Willner. Stanley was 
captured, interned, beaten, starved, and tortured as a POW for 3 years. 
He was actually one of the unfortunate groups of Allied Forces forced 
to build the infamous bridge over the River Kwai. Upon release, he 
weighed 74 pounds, and when he returned home, even his wife did not 
recognize him. And neither did his country. He received just 2 weeks of 
medical care and little else for his service. What a miscarriage of 
justice.
  Madam Speaker, it was only due to a sad confluence of powerful events 
after the war that this country did not bestow the brave men of the 
World War II Merchant Marine with veteran status until 1988. I think 
that if the mariners would be on the floor today, they would say they 
should not have been subject to a ``process'' to determine whether they 
were veterans.
  The mariners and many others thought that they would get these 
benefits since many thought they were enlisting for duty. They were 
denied this status unjustly and in violation of the assurances that 
they would partake in the GI Bill of 1944. Their valiant service was 
recognized by all the leaders of the Allied Forces from Generals 
MacArthur to Eisenhower.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of quotes by President 
Roosevelt regarding their courageous service.

Relevant Historical Quotes on the Role of United States Merchant Marine 
                          During World War II


              Quotes from President Franklin D. Roosevelt

       May, 1942: ``The war is now five months old and we have had 
     our answer. Two million men have been called to the colors. 
     In far places and near, our soldiers, our sailors, our air 
     pilots, the beleaguered men of the Merchant Marine, have 
     shown the stuff of heroes. Everything we have asked of them 
     they have delivered. Everything--and more.''
       December 12, 1942: ``It is with a feeling of great pride 
     that I send my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to 
     the officers and men of the new U.S. Maritime Service 
     Training Station at Sheepshead Bay. New York. Ten thousand 
     apprentice seamen in training at one station is a magnificent 
     achievement, and the entire country joins me in wishing you 
     every success and in paying tribute to you men of the 
     Merchant Marine who are so gallantly working and fighting 
     side by side with our Army and Navy to defend the way of life 
     which is so dear to us all.''
       1943: ``The men of our American Merchant Marine have pushed 
     through despite the perils of the submarine, the dive bomber 
     and the surface raider. They have returned voluntarily to 
     their jobs at sea again and again, because they realized that 
     the life-lines to our battle fronts would be broken if they 
     did not carry out their vital part in this global war . . . 
     In their hands, our vital supply lines are expanding. Their 
     skill and determination will keep open the highway to victory 
     and unconditional surrender.''
       September 19, 1944: ``It seems to me particularly 
     appropriate that Victory Fleet Day this year should honor the 
     men and management of the American Merchant Marine. The 
     operators in this war have written one of its most brilliant 
     chapters. They have delivered the goods when and where needed 
     in every theater of operations and across every ocean in the 
     biggest, the most difficult and dangerous transportation job 
     ever undertaken. As time goes on, there will be greater 
     public understanding of our merchant fleet's record during 
     this war.''
       June 22, 1944 (during signing of GI Bill): ``I trust 
     Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members 
     of the merchant marine who have risked their lives time and 
     time again during war for the welfare of their country.''


         Quotes from Dwight D. Eisenhower, General of the Army

       Date Unknown: ``Every man in this Allied command is quick 
     to express his admiration for the loyalty, courage, and 
     fortitude of the officers and men of the Merchant Marine. We 
     count upon their efficiency and their utter devotion to duty 
     as we do our own; they have never failed us yet and in all 
     the struggles yet to come we know that they will never be 
     deterred by any danger, hardship, or privation. When final 
     victory is ours there is no organization that will share its 
     credit more deservedly than the Merchant Marine.''
       May 8, 1945 (From his Tribute on V-E Day): ``The truly 
     heroic man of this war is GI Joe

[[Page H5424]]

     and his counterpart of the Air, Navy, and Merchant Marine.''
       1945: ``The officers and men of the merchant marine, by 
     their devotion to duty in the face of enemy action, as well 
     as the natural dangers of the sea, have brought us the tools 
     to finish the job. Their contribution to final victory will 
     be long remembered.''


           Quotes from Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army

       Date Unknown: ``I wish to commend to you the valor of the 
     merchant seamen participating with us in the liberation of 
     the Philippines. With us they have shared the heaviest enemy 
     fire. On this island I have ordered them off their ships and 
     into fox holes when their ships became untenable targets of 
     attack. At our side they have suffered in bloodshed and in 
     death. The caliber of efficiency and the courage they 
     displayed in their part of the invasion of the Philippines 
     marked their conduct throughout the entire campaign in the 
     southwest Pacific area. They have contributed tremendously to 
     our success. I hold no branch in higher esteem than the 
     Merchant Marine.''
       October 14, 1945: ``They have brought us our lifeblood and 
     they had paid for it with some of their own. I saw them 
     bombed off the Philippines and in New Guinea ports. When it 
     was humanly possible, when their ships were not blown out 
     from under them by bombs or torpedoes, they have delivered 
     their cargoes to us who needed them so badly. In war it is 
     performance that counts.''


 Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy, Chief of Naval Operations

       War Shipping Administration Press Release PR 1839, April 
     23, 1944: ``The Merchant Marine Service has repeatedly proved 
     its right to be considered as an integral part of our 
     fighting team. Its efforts have contributed in great part to 
     our success. Well done.

  There is one quote that is particularly telling of the broken 
promise, made by then General Dwight D. Eisenhower, delivered on May 8, 
1945, during his tribute on V-E Day: ``The truly heroic man of this war 
is GI Joe and his counterpart of the Air, Navy, and Merchant Marine.''
  Madam Speaker, how do you measure the loss of the GI Bill benefits 
that helped build the middle class of the United States, the missed 
opportunities and the dreams unrealized? That is what H.R. 23 will do, 
create a semblance of equity for the mariners of World War II. Undo 
this broken promise and unmitigated travesty of justice by providing 
this monthly benefit to the remaining 10,000 qualifying mariners.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in opposition. I rise in opposition, and I would say to the 
chairman, as a history professor, I know that you must embrace history 
and not be a revisionist of history.
  I'm greatly disappointed with regard to this legislation. I'm 
disappointed because this is an attempt to say that he wants to resolve 
an inequity through discrimination so that your bias towards one 
specific group is so strong among the veterans community that you will 
discriminate against others. And I will even use your example of your 
friend with regard to his service as a merchant mariner, as a prisoner 
of war building the bridge over the River Kwai. It means that other 
POWs who served with him would not be entitled to the special monthly 
payment, that you believe that that merchant mariner is so special that 
all other prisoners of war should not receive such payment.
  You see, there's a reason that those of us who have worn the uniform 
do not do this. The only time we have provided a service pension, a 
service pension, are for Medal of Honor recipients. We do not provide 
service pensions, and that's exactly what this is. So we're paying 
$1,100 to Medal of Honor recipients, and you want to pay now $1,000 to 
merchant mariners. Yet there are 28 groups of whom are similarly 
situated, individuals of whom were contractor status during the war.
  Now, we need to stop and pause and think about what we are doing 
here. Ever since the American Revolution, our government has utilized 
contractors as our combatants go to war. Whether it was in the 
Revolution, whether it was the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, 
the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, 
Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and, in fact, the present wars in 
Iraq and Afghanistan, we all used contractors. So after World War II, 
we created a process whereby these contractors then could be granted 
that ``veteran status.'' So for merchant mariners, the question of 
their valor, even the question of their status has now been resolved.
  What's before the House is now with regard to a particular group of 
veterans that we're going to treat them differently, that we're going 
to say that you have such unique status that we are going to give you a 
$1,000-a-month payment, a service pension, when, in fact, we don't even 
do that for anyone else.
  So I am greatly disappointed that this type of legislation is brought 
to the floor. This is legislation that should never have been done. 
Members are just flying back now, so they aren't even sure about this 
legislation or what it's about, and they're thinking that, well, 
because it came out of the committee, it must be great legislation. It 
must be veterans legislation. We all must be arm in arm and let's go 
ahead and pass it. Time out. I think we should be very cautious and 
careful.
  Like I said, we don't even give a specialty payment to prisoners of 
war, and we're going to select a particular group of individuals to 
give them.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time because I have 
further comments I would like to make.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to one of our new Members who has been very active on our 
committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).
  Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of our 
merchant mariners from World War II and to urge this House to provide 
them with the compensation that is many years overdue.
  I would first like to thank Chairman Filner for his tireless work and 
his commitment to this issue. As a representative from an area with a 
long maritime tradition, it means a lot to me personally.
  The Merchant Marines were an integral part of our fighting forces 
during the Second World War. Just like our war fighters, they answered 
the country's call. And just like those brave soldiers, sailors, 
airmen, and marines, many of our merchant mariners made the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  Over 1,500 Merchant Marine ships were sunk during the war, many of 
them by German U-boats during the perilous crossing of the North 
Atlantic. By the end of the war, our merchant mariners had suffered the 
highest casualty rate of any service. Of the approximately 250,000 
Americans who served on our Merchant ships, more than one out of every 
26 was killed.
  But despite these sacrifices, they were not granted the same benefits 
that other veterans received. They were promised benefits by President 
Roosevelt, but they were systematically cut out of the GI Bill, health 
care, loans, and the other tools that our grateful Nation provided to 
our ``Greatest Generation.''
  Even though many of our merchant marines were eventually granted 
veteran status many years later, the effects of their unequal treatment 
put them at a disadvantage that continues to this day.
  That is why I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 23. This bill will 
provide each qualifying merchant mariner with a $1,000 monthly stipend, 
a small step in the right direction of acknowledging the great 
sacrifices that these brave men made.
  Madam Speaker, this is an injustice that should never have happened. 
It should have been fixed long ago. But with every year that passes, 
there are fewer and fewer of these men left among us. It is now 2009, 
over 63 years after the end of World War II, and it is long past time 
for us to right this wrong.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This conversation we are having here on the floor with regard to 
degrees of valor is off the mark. Merchant mariners exhibited valor. 
They have been granted their veteran status. The question is whether we 
should now give them a service pension, which we do not do for any 
other veterans groups except the most highly decorated veterans, our 
Medal of Honor recipients.
  The argument being made is that merchant mariners were shortchanged 
because they did not receive GI Bill benefits, unlike the members of 
the Armed Forces who then served in

[[Page H5425]]

World War II. However, 28 other groups that also provided military-
related service in the U.S. during World War II have received veteran 
status in the same manner as merchant mariners and, likewise, did not 
qualify for GI Bill benefits.
  If equity were really the issue, this bill would help these groups, 
too. But H.R. 23, as amended, does not. This bill unfairly ignores them 
and, thus, does not provide full equity. It creates an inequity among 
veterans, distinguishing the value of one group over and above someone 
else, something that we don't do in the military. We're very cautious 
and very careful not to do that type of thing, to say that, well, if 
you're a combatant and you're on the front line, then your service is 
more important than someone who is in a rear echelon, or, gosh, if you 
were back in the home States or in the National Guard, then your 
service isn't as important as somebody who is on the battlefield. Time 
out. We don't do that in the military.
  The reason we don't do that is we look at everybody as a team, as one 
team. So when we go to a theater of operations, it may take seven to 
actually put one combatant on the field of battle because everybody is 
important, from the theater Army all the way to the actual combatants. 
And as a matter of fact, when they fall on the battlefield, maybe when 
they go to Landstuhl, Germany, they come back to the States. Everybody 
is an important part of the team, and we don't then make discriminatory 
judgments that someone's military service is more important than 
another and, thereby, Congress then awards a service pension.
  I'm just appealing to the Members do not do this. It will have 
consequences among the ranks and the services of our military.
  I would like to talk about the other 28 groups. One of these other 
groups of veterans of whom are being discriminated here against if this 
legislation passes is the American all-volunteer group famously known 
as the Flying Tigers. They were American P-40 pilots and ground crews 
who worked for the Chinese Government in the air defense of Rangoon and 
other parts of China before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 
Flying Tigers are credited with destroying an impressive 297 enemy 
aircraft and had one of the best kill ratios of any air group in the 
Pacific theater. There were approximately 80 pilots that flew for the 
Flying Tigers, of which 21 died in service.

                              {time}  1530

  An amazing 19 of them were credited with five or more air-to-air 
victories, making them aces. Nineteen out of the 80 pilots were aces. 
But they are not worthy for this service pension, okay, because we are 
not going to do that. Of the over 300 original members of the Flying 
Tigers, 18 of them are still alive today.
  Another one of the groups that is being discriminated against here 
today I would like to highlight is the Women Airforce Service Pilots, 
the WASPS. There is even a colleague of mine who has legislation to get 
them the Congressional Medal of Honor. Yet a vote in favor of this 
legislation today discriminates against the Women Airforce Service 
Pilots. These were female pilots who flew every type of mission that an 
Army Air Force male pilot flew during World War II, except combat 
missions.
  They freed up their male pilots for combat by flying planes from 
factories to air fields and flew over 60 million miles in every type of 
aircraft in the Army Air Force arsenal, from the fastest of fighters to 
heaviest of bombers. More than 25,000 women applied for WASPS service 
and less than 1,900 were accepted. After completing months of military 
flight training, 1,078 of them earned their wings and became the first 
women in history to fly American military aircraft. Thirty-eight of 
these brave women died while serving their country.
  Madam Speaker, these are just some of the stories of two of these 
groups out of the 28 who all served loyally, selflessly, and 
courageously. Yet their service also contributed directly to victory in 
1945, but they are being ignored and discriminated against by the 
legislation before us.
  In May 11 of this year, a letter to all Members opposing H.R. 23, as 
amended, the Veterans of Foreign Wars stated with respect to the 
Merchant Mariners of World War II that ``singling out this group, no 
matter how valiant their service, will create inequities. Congress 
should not single them out for special benefits when they are not 
provided to other groups.''
  Madam Speaker, I offered an amendment at the full committee of H.R. 
23, as amended, to include these other 28 groups, who are similarly 
situated. It was rejected on a 15-14 vote.
  I would like to insert the May 11, 2009, letter from the VFW and the 
names of the other 28 groups who have been granted veteran status of 
World War II to be placed into the Record.

                                          Veterans of Foreign Wars


                                         of the United States,

                                      Washington DC, May 11, 2009.
       Dear Representative: This week, the House of 
     Representatives is expected to take action on H.R. 23, the 
     Belated Thank You to the Merchant Marines of World War II 
     Act. This legislation would grant a $1,000 monthly benefit to 
     individuals who served in the Merchant Marines between 
     December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, The Veterans of 
     Foreign Wars of the U.S. has serious concerns with the equity 
     of this bill, and we urge you to oppose it.
       The VFW has no doubt about the dedication and bravery the 
     Merchant Marines demonstrated during World War II. Their 
     contributions to the war effort in transporting cargo to keep 
     forces supplied enabled the Allied forces to win the War. 
     They suffered heavy casualties. with nearly one-in-26 dying 
     in the Atlantic theater. We value and salute their efforts.
       However, the VFW cannot support a special monthly benefit 
     for this single group. Merchant Marines are just one of 28 
     civilian groups that have been awarded Veterans status by 
     virtue of their military-related service. Not one of these 
     other 28 groups receives a special monthly benefit such as 
     this. In fact, the only group of veterans that receives a 
     special monthly benefit is Medal of Honor recipients.
       Singling this group out--no matter how valiant their 
     service--would create inequities. Congress should not single 
     them out for special benefits when they are not provided to 
     other groups, such as the Women's Air Force Service Pilots 
     (WASPs) or those honorably discharged members of ``The Flying 
     Tigers.'' Further, many World War II veterans who served on 
     the front lines are not receiving any form of compensation, 
     and certainly not a $1,000 monthly benefit. We cannot put one 
     group ahead of all others.
       The VFW is also concerned about the funding for this 
     proposal. The special monthly benefit would consume almost 
     $500 million of the VA's budget over the next five years. 
     With waves of service members returning from Iraq and 
     Afghanistan and presenting challenges for the entire VA 
     health care system, especially for those who are grievously 
     wounded, taking away money to give a special bonus to one 
     segment of veterans is not right. This is especially true 
     because the vast majority of the Merchant Marines covered 
     under this bill are already entitled to VA health care and 
     most veterans' benefits.
       The VFW greatly respects their bravery and their 
     dedication, but we cannot support legislation that singles 
     them out above other deserving groups. We ask you to keep 
     these issues in mind, and to oppose this bill's passage.
           Very truly yours,
                                                Robert E. Wallace,
                                               Executive Director.

               World War II Service by Particular Groups

  A number of groups who provided military-related service to the 
United States can receive VA benefits. A discharge by the Secretary of 
Defense is needed to qualify. Service in the following groups has been 
certified as active military service for benefits purposes:

                RECOGNIZED GROUPS UNDER PUBLIC LAW 95-202
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Date of
                                   recognition        Recognized group
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  8 Mar 79.........  Women's Air Force
                                                    Service Pilots
                                                    (WASPs) (WWII).
2.............................  18 Mar 80........  Women's Army
                                                    Auxiliary Corps
                                                    (WAAC) (WWII).
3.............................  22 Jan 81........  Civilian Employees,
                                                    Pacific Naval Air
                                                    Bases, Who Actively
                                                    Participated in the
                                                    Defense of Wake
                                                    Island during WWII.
4.............................  17 Jul 81........  Male Civilian Ferry
                                                    Pilots (WWII).
5.............................  7 Apr 82.........  Wake Island defenders
                                                    from Guam (WWII).
6.............................  27 Dec 82........  Civilian Personnel
                                                    Assigned to the
                                                    Secret Intelligence
                                                    Element of the OSS.
                                                    (WWII).
7.............................  10 May 83........  Guam Combat Patrol
                                                    (WWII).

[[Page H5426]]

 
8.............................  7 Feb 84.........  Quartermaster Corps
                                                    Keswick Crew on
                                                    Corregidor (WWII).
9.............................  7 Feb 84.........  U.S. Civilian
                                                    Volunteers Who
                                                    Actively
                                                    Participated in the
                                                    Defense of Bataan
                                                    (WWII).
10............................  18 Oct 85........  U.S. Merchant Seamen
                                                    Who Served on
                                                    Blockships in
                                                    Support of Operation
                                                    Mulberry in the
                                                    World War II
                                                    invasion of Normandy
                                                    (WWII).
11............................  19 Jan 88........  American Merchant
                                                    Marine in Oceangoing
                                                    Service during the
                                                    Period of Armed
                                                    Conflict, December
                                                    7, 1941 to August
                                                    15, 1945 (WWII).
12............................  2 Aug 88.........  Civilian U.S. Navy
                                                    IFF Technicians Who
                                                    Served in the Combat
                                                    Areas of the Pacific
                                                    during World War II
                                                    (December 7, 1941 to
                                                    August 15, 1945)
                                                    (WWII).
13............................  30 Aug 90........  U.S. Civilians of the
                                                    American Field
                                                    Service (AFS) Who
                                                    Served Overseas
                                                    Under U.S. Armies
                                                    and U.S. Army Groups
                                                    in World War II
                                                    During the Period
                                                    December 7, 1941
                                                    through May 8, 1945
                                                    (WWII).
14............................  5 Oct 90.........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of
                                                    American Airlines
                                                    Who Served Overseas
                                                    as a result of
                                                    American Airlines'
                                                    Contract with Air
                                                    Transport Command
                                                    during the Period
                                                    December 14, 1941
                                                    through August 14,
                                                    1945 (WWII).
15............................  8 Apr 91.........  Civilian Crewmen of
                                                    the United States
                                                    Coast and Geodetic
                                                    Survey vessels who
                                                    performed their
                                                    service in areas of
                                                    immediate military
                                                    hazard while
                                                    conducting
                                                    cooperative
                                                    operations with and
                                                    for the United
                                                    States Armed Forces
                                                    within a time frame
                                                    of December 7, 1941
                                                    to August 15, 1945
                                                    (WWII) (Qualifying
                                                    vessels are: the
                                                    Derickson, Explorer,
                                                    Gilber, Hilgard, E.
                                                    Lester Jones,
                                                    Lydonia Patton,
                                                    Surveyor,
                                                    Wainwright,
                                                    Westdahl,
                                                    Oceanographer,
                                                    Hydrographer and
                                                    Pathfinder).
16............................  3 May 91.........  Honorably Discharged
                                                    Members of the
                                                    American Volunteer
                                                    Group (Flying
                                                    Tigers) Who Served
                                                    During the Period
                                                    December 7, 1941 to
                                                    July 18, 1942
                                                    (WWII).
17............................  12 May 92........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of United
                                                    Air Lines (UAL), Who
                                                    Served Overseas as a
                                                    Result of UAL's
                                                    Contract With the
                                                    Air Transport
                                                    Command During the
                                                    Period December 14,
                                                    1941 through August
                                                    14, 1945 (WWII).
18............................  12 May 92........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of
                                                    Transcontinental and
                                                    Western Air (TWA),
                                                    Inc., Who Served
                                                    Overseas as a Result
                                                    of TWA's Contract
                                                    with the Air
                                                    Transport Command
                                                    during the Period
                                                    December 14, 1941
                                                    through August 14,
                                                    1945 (WWII).
19............................  29 Jun 92........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of
                                                    Consolidated Vultee
                                                    Aircraft Corporation
                                                    (Convair Division),
                                                    Who Served Overseas
                                                    as a Result of a
                                                    Contract with the
                                                    Air Transport
                                                    Command during the
                                                    Period (WWII) U.S.
                                                    Civilian Flight Crew
                                                    and Aviation Ground
                                                    Support during the
                                                    Period December 7,
                                                    1941 through August
                                                    14, 1945 (WWII).
20............................  17 Jul 92........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of Pan
                                                    American World
                                                    Airways and its
                                                    subsidiaries and
                                                    affiliates, Who
                                                    Served Overseas as a
                                                    Result of Pan
                                                    American's Contract
                                                    with the Air
                                                    Transport Command
                                                    and Naval Air
                                                    Transport Service
                                                    during the Period
                                                    December 14, 1941
                                                    through August 14,
                                                    1945 (WWII).
21............................  29 Jun 92........  Honorably Discharged
                                                    Members of the
                                                    American Volunteer
                                                    Guard, Eritrea
                                                    Service Command
                                                    during the Period
                                                    June 21, 1942 to
                                                    March 31, 1943
                                                    (WWII).
22............................  13 Dec 93........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of
                                                    Northwest Airlines,
                                                    Who Served Overseas
                                                    as a Result of
                                                    Northwest Airlines'
                                                    Contract with the
                                                    Air Transport
                                                    Command during the
                                                    Period December 14,
                                                    1941 through August
                                                    14, 1945 (WWII).
23............................  13 Dec 93........  U.S. Civilian Female
                                                    Employees of the
                                                    U.S. Army Nurse
                                                    Corps While Serving
                                                    in the Defense of
                                                    Bataan and
                                                    Corregidor During
                                                    the Period January
                                                    2, 1942 to June 12,
                                                    1945 (WWII).
24............................  2 Jun 97.........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of
                                                    Northeast Airlines
                                                    Atlantic Division,
                                                    who served overseas
                                                    in the result
                                                    Northeast Airlines'
                                                    contract with the
                                                    Air Transport
                                                    Command during the
                                                    Period December 7,
                                                    1941, to August 14,
                                                    1945 (WWII).
25............................  2 Jun 97.........  U.S. Civilian Flight
                                                    Crew and Aviation
                                                    Ground Support
                                                    Employees of Braniff
                                                    Airways, who served
                                                    overseas in the
                                                    North Atlantic or
                                                    under the
                                                    jurisdiction of the
                                                    North Atlantic Wing
                                                    as a result of a
                                                    contract with Air
                                                    Transport Command
                                                    during the period
                                                    February 26, 1942,
                                                    to August 14, 1945
                                                    (WWII).
26............................  30 Sep 99........  Approximately 50
                                                    Chamorro and
                                                    Carolinian
                                                    policemen, who
                                                    received military
                                                    training and under
                                                    the command of the
                                                    6th Provisional
                                                    Military Police
                                                    Battalion, to
                                                    accompany U.S.
                                                    Marines in combat
                                                    patrol activity from
                                                    August 19, 1945, to
                                                    September 2, 1945.
27............................  27 Aug 99........  Operational Analysis
                                                    Group of the Office
                                                    of Scientific
                                                    Research and
                                                    Development, who
                                                    served overseas from
                                                    December 7, 1941,
                                                    through August 15,
                                                    1945.
28............................  9 Aug 00.........  Service as a member
                                                    of the Alaska
                                                    Territorial Guard
                                                    during World War II
                                                    of any individual
                                                    who was honorably
                                                    discharged under
                                                    section 8147 of the
                                                    Department of
                                                    Defense
                                                    Appropriations Act
                                                    of 2001 (P.L. 106-
                                                    259).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Now, while I am disappointed with regard to the outcome, I am 
encouraged that when the vote was concluded that Chairman Filner had 
agreed to consider separate legislation with regard to these groups. 
Immediately following the markup, I introduced H.R. 2270, the Benefits 
of Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009, which provides equity 
to those other groups by providing them the same type of payment as 
sought here today.
  Now that this whole issue is becoming better understood, it is my 
hope that other Members will join me in supporting H.R. 2270 to ensure 
fair treatment for all of these groups equally deserving.
  H.R. 23, as amended, much like the legislation that comes to the 
floor, is certainly well meaning, but I must oppose it. I oppose it 
because you cannot resolve an inequity through discrimination, and 
that's exactly what this bill does.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 23, as amended, would provide an unprecedented 
$1,000 monthly payment to World War II Merchant Mariners.
  There is no dispute that these mariners braved great danger and 
suffered great loss in their service to the Allies.
  This service has been recognized. These Merchant Mariners were given 
veteran status in 1988 and have VA healthcare and benefits. This bill 
would grant them a non-service connected pension unlike anything 
Congress has authorized, with one exception: the service pension of 
$1,100 for recipients of the Medal of Honor.
  Thus, the conversation about the Merchant Marines' degree of valor is 
off the mark. They were valorous. They have been granted veterans' 
status. The question is whether we should now give them a service 
pension, which we do not do for other groups of veterans except our 
most highly decorated veterans, our Medal of Honor recipients.
  The argument begin made is that the Merchant Mariners were 
shortchanged because they did not receive G.I. Bill benefits, unlike 
the members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II. However, 
twenty-eight other Veterans groups who were also contractors and 
mercenaries that also provided military-related service to the U.S. in 
World War II have also received veteran status as the Merchant 
Mariners, and likewise did not qualify for the G.I. Bill.
  If equity was really the issue, this bill should help these groups, 
too; but H.R. 23, as amended, unfairly ignores them and thus does not 
provide full equity. It creates an inequity among veterans, diminishing 
the value of one group's service about others'. It is not possible to 
resolve an inequity through bias to Merchant Marines by discriminating 
against similarly situated veterans groups.
  Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the names of these 28 
groups be inserted into the Record with my statement so that the 
discriminations against these veterans by this Congress will be noted.
  One of those other groups of similarly situated veterans are members 
of the American Volunteer Group, famously known as the Flying Tigers. 
They were American P-40 pilots and ground crews who worked for the 
Chinese government in the air defense of Rangoon and other parts of 
China before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  The Flying Tigers are credited with destroying an impressive 297 
enemy aircraft and had one of the best kill ratios of any air group in 
the Pacific theater. There were approximately 80 pilots that flew for 
the Flying Tigers, of which 21 died in service.
  An amazing 19 of them were credited with five or more air to air 
victories, making them aces.
  Of the over 300 original members of the Flying Tigers only 18 of them 
are still with us today--yet the chairman has chosen to discriminate 
against them.
  Another one of these groups that I would like to highlight are the 
Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS). These were female pilots who 
flew every type of mission that any Army Air Force male pilot flew 
during World War II, except combat missions.
  They freed up male pilots for combat by flying planes from factories 
to airfields and overall flew 60 million miles in every type aircraft 
in the Army Air Force arsenal--from the fastest fighters to the 
heaviest bombers.
  More than 25,000 women applied for WASP service, and fewer than 1,900 
were accepted. After completing months of military flight training, 
1,078 of them earned their wings and became the first women in history 
to fly American military aircraft. Thirty-eight of these brave pilots 
died while serving their country--yet the chairman has chosen to 
discriminate against them.
  Madam Speaker, these are just the stories of two of these groups who 
all served loyally, selflessly, and courageously.
  Their service contributed directly to victory in 1945 and yet they 
are ignored by this bill.
  In their May 11th letter to all members opposing H.R. 23, as amended, 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars agreed with this argument and stated with 
respect to the Merchant Mariners of World War II that, ``Singling out 
this group--no matter how valiant their service--would create 
inequities. Congress should not single them out for special benefits 
when they are not provided to other groups . . .''.

[[Page H5427]]

  Madam Speaker I offered an amendment at the Full Committee markup of 
H.R. 23, as amended, to include these other 28 groups but it was 
rejected by a vote of 15-14.
  I am very disappointed by this outcome.
  Immediately following the markup, I introduced H.R. 2270, the 
Benefits for Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009, which 
provides equity to these other groups by providing them the same $1,000 
a month pension that H.R. 23, as amended, would provide to Merchant 
Mariners. Now that this whole issue is becoming better understood, it 
is my hope that other members will join me in supporting H.R. 2270 to 
ensure fair treatment for all of these groups who are equally 
deserving.
  H.R. 23, as amended, like much of the legislation that comes to this 
floor, is certainly well-meaning. It may well pass the House, although 
I have opposed it. And if it does, then it will behoove us to also 
provide full equity and pass H.R. 2270 as soon as it can be brought to 
the floor. I urge all members to oppose H.R. 23, as amended.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. I urge all Members to oppose this legislation before us, 
and I appeal to them, do not create a service pension that will 
differentiate members' service from others. This is the wrong approach.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, without a doubt these men, now 
octogenarians, average age almost 85, fought the good fight and gave 
our country their all. And H.R. 23 will provide them with the 
compensation they earned or was promised them and has been denied for 
decades, not just in words but in deeds.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that letters of support from the American 
Maritime Officers, the International Organization of Masters, Mates & 
Pilots, the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, and the Seafarers 
International Union expressing their strong support for H.R. 23, as 
amended, be included in the Record.

                                                      May 5, 2009.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Cannon House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: We are writing on behalf of the 
     undersigned American maritime labor organizations to express 
     our strong support for H.R. 23, the ``Belated Thank You to 
     the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009'' and to 
     urge your Committee to favorably report this legislation. The 
     organizations we represent have the privilege of including 
     among our retired members individuals who served our country 
     with honor and distinction during World War II. These World 
     War II merchant mariners are truly representative of the 
     ``Greatest Generation'', and we are extremely proud of them 
     and the example they have set for all merchant mariners who 
     continue to respond to our Nation's call whenever and 
     wherever they are needed.
       General Colin Powell, following the Persian Gulf War, said 
     that: ``Since I became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 
     I have come to appreciate first-hand why our Merchant Marine 
     has long been called our Nation's fourth arm of defense. The 
     American seafarer provides an essential service to the well-
     being of our Nation as was demonstrated so clearly during 
     Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm . . . ''
       We agree wholeheartedly with you that the enactment of H.R. 
     23 is necessary ``to correct an injustice that has been 
     inflicted upon a group of World War II veterans, the World 
     War II United States merchant mariners.'' We sincerely thank 
     you, Mr. Chairman, for your initiative in working to address 
     this injustice by sponsoring legislation to provide long-
     overdue recognition and benefits to World War II merchant 
     mariners. We are also grateful to your colleagues who have 
     cosponsored H.R. 23 and for their decision to add their names 
     to the bipartisan supporters who are committed to working 
     with you and with us for the enactment of H.R. 23 this year.
       There is not, nor should there be, any debate as to the 
     invaluable service given by American merchant mariners during 
     World War II. In fact, World War II merchant mariners 
     suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of 
     the Armed Forces other than the United States Marine Corps, 
     as they delivered troops, tanks, food, fuel and other needed 
     equipment and material to every theater of World War II. 
     Enemy forces sank more than 800 merchant vessels between 1941 
     and 1944 alone.
       As General of the Army, Allied Expeditionary Forces in 
     Europe, Dwight David Eisenhower stated, ``When final victory 
     is ours there is no organization that will share its credit, 
     more deservedly that the Merchant Marine.'' Fleet Admiral 
     Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Pacific Theater, said 
     that ``The Merchant Marine . . . has repeatedly proved its 
     right to be considered as an integral part of our fighting 
     team.''
       General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, speaking of the 
     merchant seamen who supported the liberation of the 
     Philippines, stated that ``With us, they have shared the 
     heaviest enemy fire. On these islands I have ordered them off 
     their ships and into foxholes when their ships became 
     untenable targets of attack. At our side they have suffered 
     in bloodshed and death . . . They have contributed 
     tremendously to our success. I hold no branch in higher 
     esteem than the Merchant Marine Service.''
       Finally, President Franklin Roosevelt eloquently and 
     accurately summed up the contributions of World War II 
     merchant mariners, telling the country and the world that 
     they ``have written one of the most brilliant chapters. They 
     have delivered the goods when and where needed in every 
     theater of operations and across every ocean in the biggest, 
     the most difficult and most dangerous job ever taken.''
       Yet, despite this record of exemplary, indispensable 
     service to America's war efforts, merchant mariners were not 
     given the formal recognition and benefits granted other 
     services by the Congress through the GI Bill of Rights in 
     1945. In fact, no legislation to recognize the contributions 
     made by World War II merchant mariners was enacted until 
     Congress extended limited veterans' status to these gallant 
     American citizens in 1988.
       We believe, as you have stated Mr. Chairman, that it is 
     time to correct this injustice. We believe our country has an 
     obligation to the remaining World War II merchant mariners, 
     to fully acknowledge their service and to give them the 
     measure of benefit called for in H.R. 23. We ask you and your 
     Committee to take the first step in righting this wrong by 
     favorably reporting H.R. 23 to the House of Representatives 
     for its consideration.
       We note that during the consideration of H.R. 23 in the 
     last Congress, changes were made to the legislation that 
     would, among other things, reduce its overall cost. For 
     example, it no longer provides any payment of benefits to 
     survivors' spouses and revised the legislation so that it is 
     no longer self-funded. Rather, it sets up a Merchant Mariner 
     Equity Compensation Fund and leaves it to Congress to later 
     determine funding within its spending caps. Finally, those 
     who have received benefits under the Servicemen's 
     Readjustment Act of 1944 (the GI Bill--PL 78-346) are not 
     eligible for benefits under H.R. 23. The bill, with these 
     changes, is the legislation that was adopted by the House of 
     Representatives on July 7, 2007 and we continue to support 
     H.R. 23 with these changes.
       We again thank you and your colleagues for the support you 
     have shown for the World War II merchant mariners and we 
     stand ready to work with you for its enactment this year.
           Sincerely,
         Thomas Bethel, President, American Maritime Officers; 
           Timothy Brown, President, International Organization of 
           Masters, Mates & Pilots; Don Keefe, President, Marine 
           Engineers' Beneficial Association; Anthony Poplawski, 
           President, Marine Firemen's Union; Gunnar Lundeberg, 
           President, Sailors' Union of the Pacific; Michael 
           Sacco, President, Seafarers International Union.
                                  ____

                                              National Association


                           for Uniformed Services',

                                    Springfield, VA, May 11, 2009.
       Dear Member of Congress:
       On behalf of the National Association for Uniformed 
     Services (NAUS), celebrating its 41st year representing all 
     ranks, branches and components of the uniformed services, 
     their spouses and survivors, I write to ask you to approve 
     H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to Merchant Mariners of World 
     War II Act of 2009. NAUS strongly urges you to recognize 
     finally, completely, and honorably, the service given in 
     harm's-way during World War II by members of the U.S. 
     Merchant Marines.
       Despite recent arguments against this bill, H.R. 23 does 
     not, repeat, not put one group ahead of all others nor does 
     it take funding away from any other veterans groups or 
     programs. History shows that the Merchant Mariners of World 
     War II had every reasonable expectation that they would be 
     treated as veterans for their service in World War II.
       When President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill in 1944, he 
     said, ``I trust Congress will soon provide similar 
     opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who risked 
     their lives time and again during the War for the welfare of 
     their country.'' Unfortunately, Congress did not act until 44 
     years later, long after other war veterans had used the 
     generous benefits our nation provided and had received the 
     medical care necessary to treat their wounds.
       For all those years, the U.S. Merchant Marine Combat 
     Veterans received no help from the Government they served and 
     little to no recognition for wartime service to our country. 
     They missed out on the GI Bill for their education, the GI 
     Home Loan Program for purchase of their family home, and 
     related earned benefits, not to mention the cost of the 
     medical care they underwent for the wounds, injuries and 
     illnesses they experienced. Their service was shelved and 
     taken for granted.
       Nearly 300,000 men answered the call to train and serve in 
     the U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII. Many never returned 
     home and many others who did return came back with both 
     physical and mental wounds. These men put their lives on the 
     line for their country with 9,521 killed (or died from 
     wounds), 12,000 wounded, 663 taken as Prisoner of War, and 66 
     who died in POW camps.
       Fewer than 10,000 of these brave men, who challenged our 
     enemy at sea and willingly

[[Page H5428]]

     risked life to help win the war, survive today. We ask you to 
     support those now almost-ancient mariners whose heroic 
     contribution as members of the ocean-going Merchant Mariners 
     struggled to help secure the American victory in World War 
     II.
       On behalf of a grateful nation, I urge you to honor these 
     brave men with your vote for H.R. 23, The Belated Thank You 
     to the Merchant Mariner Combat Veterans of World War II. Time 
     is running short for a final thanks to the Merchant Mariner 
     of World War II. Let us not squander this opportunity. As 
     always, thank you for your leadership and continued support 
     of America's veterans.
           Sincerely,

                                         William M. Matz, Jr.,

                                Major General, U.S. Army, Retired,
     President.
                                  ____

                                              National Association


                                      for Uniformed Services,

                                     Springfield, VA, May 5, 2009.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, Veterans' Affairs Committee, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On behalf of the National Association 
     for Uniformed Services (NAUS), I write to offer our support 
     for H.R. 23, The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners 
     of World War II Act of 2009, a bill to recognize the 
     honorable service these brave and courageous individuals gave 
     in wartime to their country.
       By establishing a Merchant Mariners Equity Compensation 
     Fund, the bill would provide monthly payments of $1,000 to 
     qualifying members of the United States Merchant Marines who, 
     motivated by a deep love of country and personal sense of 
     patriotism, faced enemy action and contributed decisively to 
     the war's final victory.
       NAUS commends your strength of leadership in recognition of 
     the heroic service put forth during World War II by the 
     thousands of young men who volunteered for service in the 
     U.S. Merchant Marine. These forgotten heroes have struggled 
     for more than six decades for honorable recognition by the 
     nation they proudly served and their recognition is long 
     overdue.
       Once again, the National Association for Uniformed Services 
     fully supports The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners 
     of World War II Act. We appreciate working with you and thank 
     you for your leadership in recognizing the vital role these 
     brave men served in helping to win the war.
           Sincerely,

                                         William M. Matz, Jr.,

                                Major General, U.S. Army, Retired,
                                                        President.

  Madam Speaker, William Matz, Jr., major general of the U.S. Army, 
retired, who is president of the National Association for Uniformed 
Services, wrote to all Members of Congress that ``on behalf of NAUS 
celebrating its 41st year representing all ranks, branches and 
components of the uniformed services, their spouses and survivors, I 
write to ask you to approve H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to Merchant 
Mariners of World War II Act of 2009. NAUS strongly urges you to 
recognize finally, completely, and honorably, the service given in 
harm's way during World War II by members of the U.S. Merchant Marines.
  ``Despite recent arguments against this bill, H.R. 23 does not, 
repeat, not put one group ahead of all others nor does it take funding 
away from any other veterans group or programs. History shows that the 
Merchant Mariners of World War II had every reasonable expectation that 
they would be treated as veterans for their service in World War II.
  ``When President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill in 1944, he said, `I 
trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of 
the Merchant Marine who risked their lives time and time again during 
the War for the welfare of their country.' Unfortunately, Congress did 
not act until 44 years later, long after other war veterans had used 
the generous benefits our Nation provided and had received the medical 
care necessary to their wounds.
  ``For all those years, the U.S. Merchant Marine Combat Veterans 
received no help from the government they served and little to no 
recognition for wartime service to our country. They missed out on the 
GI Bill for their education, the GI Home Loan Program for purchase of 
their family home, and related earned benefits, not to mention the cost 
of the medical care they underwent for the wounds, injuries and 
illnesses they experienced. Their service was shelved and taken for 
granted.
  ``Nearly 300,000 men answered the call to train and serve in the U.S. 
Merchant Marine during World War II. Many never returned home and many 
others who did return came back with both physical and mental wounds. 
These men put their lives on the line for their country with 9,521 
killed (or died from wounds) 12,000 wounded, 663 taken as prisoner of 
war, and 66 who died in POW camps.
  ``Fewer than 10,000 of these brave men, who challenged our enemy at 
sea and willingly risked life to help win the war, survive today. We 
ask you to support these now almost-ancient mariners whose heroic 
contribution as members of the ocean-going merchant mariners struggled 
to help secure the American victory in World War II.
  ``On behalf of a grateful Nation, I urge you to honor these brave men 
with your vote for H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant 
Mariner Combat Veterans of World War II. Time is running short for a 
final thanks to the merchant mariner of World War II. Let us not 
squander this opportunity.''
  Madam Speaker, that was the letter from the president of the National 
Association for Uniformed Services, Major General William Matz of the 
U.S. Army, Retired.
  I can say it no better, and I urge my colleagues to unanimously 
support H.R. 23, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 23, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________