[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]





                   VETERANS DAY AND MERCHANT MARINERS

  (Ms. HAHN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, next week, Americans will celebrate Veterans 
Day and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served this 
Nation, but one group of veterans has gone unrecognized far too long.
  In World War II, more than 200,000 merchant mariners braved troubled 
seas to deliver supplies to the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. 
They faced enemy attack and suffered a casualty rate higher than any 
other uniformed service.
  Unfortunately, the World War II Merchant Marine veterans were never 
eligible for benefits under the GI Bill and were long excluded even 
from Veterans Day celebrations. Many of these merchant mariners are now 
well into their eighties and nineties and have yet to receive the honor 
and appreciation they deserve.
  As Veterans Day approaches, I am calling once again on my colleagues 
to pass H.R. 563, legislation that will provide the fewer than 5,000 
surviving World War II Merchant Marine veterans with a one-time $25,000 
payment as a token of this Nation's appreciation.
  When my colleagues are home in their districts celebrating Veterans 
Day, I hope that what I have said today will prick their conscience. 
Despite their sacrifice, despite their patriotism, one group of 
veterans has not been celebrated. Our merchant mariners deserve so much 
more. It is time to pass H.R. 563.

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