[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
[November 30, 1999]
[Pages 2170-2171]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 1999
November 30, 1999

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 2280, the ``Veterans 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1999,'' which provides a 
2.4 percent cost-of-living adjustment in benefits for service-disabled 
veterans and their surviving spouses and children. It provides for 
increased rates in payments of service-connected disability compensation 
to veterans who suffer from service-related disabilities and in payments 
of dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouses and 
children of service members and veterans whose deaths are service-
related. The increased benefit rates will take effect on December 1, 
1999. This legislation,

[[Page 2171]]

derived from an Administration proposal, ensures that the value of these 
well-deserved benefits will keep pace with increases in consumer prices.
    As a country, we must remember those veterans who gave of themselves 
to assure the continued protection of this great Nation. The freedoms 
and liberty that we enjoy as citizens depend on the men and women in our 
Armed Forces. In a tangible way, this legislation expresses the 
gratitude of the Nation for the sacrifices our veterans have unselfishly 
endured.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

November 30, 1999.

Note: H.R. 2280, approved November 30, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
118.