[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20208]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2002

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 7, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4085, 
legislation to increase the rates of compensation for veterans with 
service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.
  As we debate the validity of committing young Americans to another 
conflict overseas I feel it is important to support legislation 
honoring our commitment to care for those disabled in past service to 
our country.
  Many of our disabled veterans find themselves unable to keep pace 
with the cost of living as they advance in age. This is especially true 
for those who must rely on prescription drugs to mitigate the effects 
of their service-connected disabilities. These veterans must often 
choose between food, shelter, and medication. I support the provisions 
of this bill designed to mitigate these adverse economic conditions 
experienced by our disabled veterans.
  It is extremely important that we support those who have secured our 
freedom in the past. As we debate the possibility of war we most honor 
past obligations.

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