[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  THE RETIRED PAY RESTORATION ACT AND THE MILITARY SURVIVING SPOUSES 
                   EQUITY ACT (H.R. 303 AND H.R. 808)

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our greatest 
national treasure--our veterans. Throughout our Nation's history, brave 
men and women have been committed to protecting our freedom, security 
and prosperity. It is only right for us to do all we can to help those 
who have fought to keep us free. That is why I rise in support of two 
thoughtful and prudent pieces of legislation: H.R. 303--The Retired Pay 
Restoration Act of 2005 and H.R. 808--The Military Surviving Spouses 
Equity Act, sponsored by Mr. Michael Bilirakis and Mr. Henry Brown, 
respectively.
  Mr. Speaker, these two critical pieces of legislation are smart, 
balanced and respectful of the time served by our Nation's veterans and 
the sacrifices made by their families.
  The Retired Pay Restoration Act would address a policy that has long 
been unfavorable to the men and women who have returned home from 
battle. This legislation will let our disabled veterans receive not 
only the disability compensation they deserve, but the retired benefits 
they have toiled long and hard to receive. It is incumbent upon us to 
mark the time given by these brave individuals with appropriate 
legislation, such as this, that honors their courage and dignity.
  I am also proud to support and cosponsor the Military Surviving 
Spouses Equity Act. This common sense bill ensures surviving husbands 
and wives of our veterans will still be able to count on the consistent 
income earned by their spouses in service to our country.
  Mr. Speaker, with the passing of the War Supplemental last week, this 
body came together to raise death benefits for our soldiers and sailors 
who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I was proud to enthusiastically 
support that measure. It is with that same spirit that I ardently urge 
my colleagues to again put politics aside, come together, and pass 
these patriotic and dutiful pieces of legislation to support our proud 
veterans.

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