    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 6, 1991]
    [Pages 339-340]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Persian Gulf Conflict Supplemental
    Authorization and Personnel Benefits Act of 1991

    April 6, 1991

        I am pleased to sign into law S. 725, the ``Persian Gulf Conflict
    Supplemental Authorization and Personnel Benefits Act of 1991.'' This
    legislation authorizes the appropriations that the Administration
    requested for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It also
    authorizes $655 million over 5 years to increase selected benefits for
    the men and women who served this country, and the world, during the
    Persian Gulf conflict.
        The Act provides the Secretary of Defense authority to use funds
    contributed by other countries to offset the incremental costs of U.S.
    operations in the Persian Gulf. It also authorizes the appropriation of
    $15 billion in U.S. funds to a Persian Gulf Conflict Working Capital
    Account. These monies will be used to cover the costs of the Persian
    Gulf conflict not met by the contributions of other countries.
        The Act increases certain benefits for military personnel and
    veterans who served during the Persian Gulf conflict. This benefit
    package, which is fully consistent with the Budget Enforcement Act, was
    crafted in bipartisan negotiations between the Administration and the
    Congress.
        Our service men and women performed with extraordinary ability and
    valor in the Persian Gulf. Their success is an inspiration to us all.
    This Act increases the pay of those who faced the greatest danger,
    smooths the transition for those returning to the work force or the
    educational system from the Persian Gulf, and increases the level of
    higher education benefits for veterans and reservists.
        Specifically, the Act increases the military separation allowance
    and imminent danger or hostile fire pay for those who served during the
    Persian Gulf conflict. The families of all American service men and
    women who were covered by Servicemen's Group Life Insurance and were
    killed in the line of duty during this period will receive a special
    death gratuity of up to $50,000. Activated reservists without adequate
    health insurance will receive 1 month of transitional health care
    coverage when discharged. The Act also grants our newest wartime
    veterans eligibility for veterans' pensions and our combat veterans
    eligibility for readjustment counseling, and it makes up to $100,000 in
    life insurance coverage available to our servicemembers and to those who
    become veterans after the date of enactment of this bill. Reemployment
    rights for disabled veterans are also being strengthened.
        Increased educational assistance payments for active duty personnel
    and reservists are an integral part of this package. In addition, the
    Act authorizes the Secretary of Education to extend the grace and
    deferment periods for repayment of Federal student loans and the
    eligibility period for certain Federal grants for activated reservists
    who served during the Persian Gulf conflict. It also encourages colleges
    and universities to provide tuition credits or refunds for students who
    were called to active duty and were unable to complete their courses.
        S. 725 also permits the Secretary of Defense to exceed the
    authorized military end-strength levels for FY 1991. For FY 1992 and
    beyond, we intend to meet the military end-strength levels projected in
    the February 1991 Budget.
        This act requires a report to the Congress relating to the conduct
    of the coalition effort. We have been open with the Con-

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    gress about our conduct of the Persian Gulf conflict and will continue
    to provide the Congress with information to the maximum extent
    consistent with the discharge of my constitutional responsibilities.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    April 6, 1991.

                        Note: S. 725, approved April 6, was assigned Public
                            Law No. 102-25.