[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.