[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 S. 2562, THE VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 
                                  2006

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2562, 
the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006.
  S. 2562 would raise the rates of compensation for veterans with 
service-connected disabilities and would increase dependency and 
indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans. 
Surviving spouses and children aged under 18 would be among those who 
would benefit from the compensation rate increase that would become 
effective on December 1, 2006. The increase in rates would be equal to 
the increase provided to Social Security recipients and is projected to 
be approximately 2.9 percent.
  As a co-sponsor of H.R. 4843, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2006, which passed the House of 
Representatives on June 27, 2006, I also strongly support the Senate 
version of the bill.
  In recognizing the contributions that veterans have made to our 
country, it is vital that we provide compensation that reflects today's 
rising cost-of-living. Many of the approximately 60,000 veterans who 
reside in El Paso, Texas depend largely on government compensation for 
supporting their families. Increasing the compensation rates for 
veterans and their families allows us to demonstrate our immense 
gratitude for those who have courageously served our country.
  Mr. Speaker, nation's veterans and their service to our appreciation 
for their service to our country. I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
voting favorably on S. 2562.

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