[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 42 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE FRY SCHOLARSHIP

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                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to improve the Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry 
Scholarship.
  Since 9/11, over 6,500 of our brave men and women in uniform have 
given their lives to protect our freedom. That number is tragic enough. 
But left behind by many of these soldiers is a family: wives, husbands, 
sons, and daughters. I think we all agree that we should do everything 
we can to help these families after their loved one makes the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  My wife, Beverly, and I have come to know many of these families. We 
have visited with them at the Walter Reed National Military Medical 
Center. We have been to the funerals. It especially breaks our hearts 
to think about the children.
  In 2009 the Fry Scholarship signed into law as a part of the 
Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-32). The clear 
purpose of this measure was to promise Post-9/11 GI Bill educational 
benefits to the children of soldiers who have made the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  Unfortunately, due to a technicality in the law that restricts 
eligibility to the child of a soldier who ``dies in line of duty while 
serving on active duty,'' some children of fallen soldiers have not 
been able to qualify for the scholarship.
  During the early days of the War Against Terror, many active duty 
service members who suffered mortal injuries were medically retired to 
veteran status on the battlefield. The Department of Veterans' Affairs 
has informed me that despite the intent of the law, the children of 
these soldiers are technically ineligible for the scholarship.
  The definition under current law is confusing for families and even 
for the VA. I have been made aware of instances where a child was able 
to receive scholarship money, and then was later asked by the VA to pay 
those benefits back.
  My legislation clarifies that the children of a soldier who dies ``as 
a result of a service-connected disability'' is eligible for the Fry 
Scholarship.
  This is a small change in the law that could make a big difference 
for the children we will help go to college. It is my hope that we can 
work together on this issue to get this fix signed into law.

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