[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15494]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RESPECTING SERVICEMEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, two Army Rangers, a nurse, 
and an Army criminal investigator were killed in action while defending 
our freedoms on Sunday. Because of a devastating decision made by the 
administration, the grieving families of American heroes Sergeant 
Patrick Hawkins, PFC Cody Patterson, 1st Lieutenant Jennifer Moreno, 
and Special Agent Joseph Peters are not receiving their loved ones' 
death gratuities.
  Over a dozen more military families are also suffering due to the 
administration's actions and failure to negotiate. When Congress passed 
the Pay Our Troops Act last week, it was our intent to pay the pay and 
benefits our brave men and women have earned and deserve without 
question.
  On Friday, I sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Hagel, demanding 
answers. Our brave men and women serving in uniform risk their lives to 
keep American families safe. I appreciate today, as a grateful military 
dad, that Congress will pass a bill restating benefits to our military 
families who have earned everlasting respect.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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