Bob Filner

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to another great and energetic advocate for veterans, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee)

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth Sandlin), our Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, who is the energetic, articulate, aggressive and fine spokesman for veterans.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on this bill, H.R. 1315, and the previous bill, H.R. 23, I would ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that my colleagues on the committee were able to work together to craft this important piece of legislation. The Chair of our Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, and her ranking member, Mr. Boozman, provided really strong bipartisan leadership that was important in this bill. As I said when starting this package of bills, we must never forget the great debt we owe to all of them. We have to remember the courage and sacrifice demonstrated daily by those who serve our Nation. Mr. Speaker, when our servicemembers return home, it is our solemn obligation to protect and serve them with the same commitment and dedication which they protected and served us. H.R. 1315, as amended, would contribute to just that level of commitment. Under current law, transitioning disabled servicemembers who are temporarily living in housing owned by a family member are barred from receiving financial assistance to make necessary adaptations to their housing. This bill before us clarifies this point of law and ensures those veterans have the resources necessary to enjoy a comfortable and independent lifestyle. This legislation creates a scholarship for students interested in earning a degree or certification in blind rehabilitation. In return for these scholarships, these students would provide 3 years of service to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The effect of this program will be a needed staff increase to meet the growing needs of our vision-impaired and blind veterans. I must say, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, we ought to look at this for some other needs of the VA, whether it is nursing or psychiatry or whatever. This way of encouraging and incentivizing those who could serve our veterans is a really fine approach. The bill will, furthermore, bring more efficiency and accountability to the veteran employment process by facilitating greater coordination among the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Labor. It allows for a more transparent view of data concerning complaints submitted by the National Guard and Reservists regarding difficulty obtaining employment. Ensuring that our servicemembers are afforded a seamless transition from active duty to civilian life is an issue that we in the committee are keenly aware of, and I am glad to see needed language in this bill. Finally, this bill corrects a technical error in current law to increase the U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment Training and Employer Outreach by one representative from the existing 15. We all stand united here in this House in caring for our veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1315, as amended Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, again, I yield 3 minutes to the Chair of our Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Ms. Herseth Sandlin.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, we have a new Member from New Hampshire that I will call the ``not-so-gentle-lady'' because she has been incredibly active and taken a leadership role in passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, before I get to these specific bills, let me just say, as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, we are at a critical time in our Nation in dealing with our veterans. George Washington said it best over 200 years ago when he stated that ``the morale of our active duty troops depends foremost on how they sense they're going to be treated when they come home.'' So we have a lot of work to do. We have a Secretary who has announced his resignation. Recently, just last week, the Dole-Shalala Commission released its report on some major changes for the VA and the DoD for the way we deal with our veterans and our wounded warriors. We need someone in that position, I think, who will shake things up a bit, who will not only do the Dole- Shalala recommendations, but go further and really talk to two bureaucracies that have to do business far better than what they do. Too often, VA means for our veterans ``veterans adversary'' instead of ``veterans advocate.'' We have older veterans, like we're going to be dealing with in the bill up now, and we are going to have hundreds of thousands of new veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. It's a critical job that we must do. And I always say, no matter where we are in the war in Iraq, we're going to make sure that every young man and woman who comes back from the war gets all the love, the care, the attention, the honor, the dignity that a Nation can bestow. So we have a big job to do. And this package of bills we have today addressed both older veterans that we still have to care for and make sure any injustices that came up in their treatment are taken care of, as well as the needs that are so critical, whether they be brain injury or PTSD of the new veterans. We have to deal with both groups, and we have to do it right. I want to speak now on H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act. This is a bill that is six decades overdue, Mr. Speaker. And I think today we are on the verge of doing a historic thing, that is, providing a way to finally give the heroic merchant mariners of World War II the belated compensation that they've so richly earned and deserve. I think this Congress not only has to treat those new veterans coming back from Iraq, but we have the responsibility to correct the wrongs of the past, and this is one of the grave injustices that deserves rectification. There are over 250 Members of this House who have cosponsored H.R. 23. But for those who haven't, let me tell you about the sad history of these forgotten heroes. The Merchant Mariners of World War II traversed the dangerous U-boat laden waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, faced down fierce attacks from enemy aircraft, and were instrumental in every theater of war by carrying 95 percent of all tanks, supplies and troops during World War II. As a result, they suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the military branches. It is indisputable that the allied forces would not have been able to begin, sustain or end World War II in victory without their valiant and selfless service. It is also indisputable, Mr. Speaker, that these men now are entitled to be compensated for their service. After the war, they did not receive the recognition as veterans, or the benefits of the unprecedented GI Bill of 1944, which, in many people's minds, they had earned. We all know the profound effects of that GI Bill on building the middle class. We all know that the education and ability to buy homes led to the creation of the success of the generations following World War II. At the signing of that bill in 1944, the GI Bill, which gave these veterans unprecedented education, housing, small business loans and health benefits, President Roosevelt himself declared, ``I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the merchant marine, who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country.'' Succeeding Congresses up until now have never done that. Their fight for equity continued for all the time since then, and even for the time after they finally attained veteran status after a lengthy court battle that was decided in 1987, which by then, 40 years after the war, over 125,000 merchant mariners had died. We've had the distinct privilege at the Veterans' Affairs Committee of receiving the heart-wrenching testimony of some of these veterans, one of whom was a named party in the lawsuit which finally gave him veteran status, a merchant mariner named Stanley Willner. Stanley was captured, interned, beaten, starved and tortured as a POW for 3 years. In fact, he was actually one of the unfortunate groups of allied forces that were forced to build the infamous bridge over the River Kwai. Upon release, he weighed a mere 74 pounds. When he returned home, his wife didn't recognize him, but neither did his country. He received just 2 weeks of medical care and little else for his service to this Nation. What a miscarriage of justice. Mr. Speaker, it was only due to a sad confluence of powerful events after the war that this country did not bestow the brave men of the World War II Merchant Marine with veteran status. Their service was recognized by all the leaders of the Allied Forces from Generals MacArthur to Eisenhower. I will include a list of quotes regarding their courageous service in the Record. I will also add a letter from the four maritime unions, the American Maritime Officers, the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, and the Seafarers International Union, expressing their strong support for H.R. 23, as amended. Mr. Speaker, the time has come to right this enduring wrong. To me, failing to correct the injustice suffered by the merchant mariners for the past six decades is equivalent to an employer telling a group of 20-year-olds at the same company doing the same job that 85 percent of them will receive additional health, education, housing, and loan assistance benefits for the rest of their lives for their service, but the remaining 15 percent would not. Then, over 40 years later, the employer is forced to recognize the mistake and informs the 15 percent, sorry, we will give you what has not expired, but nothing else. Where is the fairness? Where is the equity? How do you measure the loss of these benefits, the missed opportunities and the dreams unrealized? That is what H.R. 23 tries to make up for, to create the semblance of equity that the mariners of World War II so richly deserve by providing a monthly stipend to qualifying mariners on a first-come- first-served basis. July 27, 2007. Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: We are writing on behalf of the undersigned American maritime labor organizations to express our strong support for H.R. 23, the ``Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007'' as amended. The organizations we represent have the privilege of including among our retired and active seagoing members individuals who served our country with honor and distinction during World War II. These World War II merchant mariners are truly representative of the ``Greatest Generation'', and we are extremely proud of them and the example they have set for all merchant mariners who continue to respond to our Nation's call whenever and wherever they are needed. General Colin Powell, following the Persian Gulf War, said that: ``Since I became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I have come to appreciate first-hand why our Merchant Marine has long been called our Nation's fourth arm of defense. The American seafarer provides an essential service to the well- being of our Nation as was demonstrated so clearly during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm . . .'' We agree wholeheartedly with you that the enactment of H.R. 23 is necessary ``to correct an injustice that has been inflicted upon a group of World War II veterans, the World War II United States merchant mariners.'' We sincerely thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your initiative in working to address this injustice by sponsoring legislation to provide long- overdue recognition and benefits to World War II merchant mariners. We are also grateful to your colleagues who have cosponsored H.R. 23 and for their decision to add their names to the bipartisan supporters who are committed to working with you and with us for the enactment of H.R. 23 this year. There is not, nor should there be, any debate as to the invaluable service given by American merchant mariners during World War II. In fact, World War II merchant mariners suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of the Armed Forces, other than the United States Marine Corps, as they delivered troops, tanks, food, fuel and other needed equipment and material to every theater of World War II. Enemy forces sank more than 800 merchant vessels between 1941 and 1944 alone. As General of the Army, Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, Dwight David Eisenhower stated, ``When final victory is ours there is no organization that will share its credit more deservedly than the Merchant Marine.'' Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Theater, said that ``The Merchant Marine . . . has repeatedly proved its right to be considered as an integral part of our fighting team.'' General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, speaking of the merchant seamen who supported the liberation of the Philippines, stated that ``With us they have shared the heaviest enemy fire. On these Islands I have ordered them off their ships and into foxholes when their ships became untenable targets of attack. At our side they have suffered in bloodshed and death . . . They have contributed tremendously to our success. I hold no branch in higher esteem than the Merchant Marine Service.'' Finally, President Franklin Roosevelt eloquently and accurately summed up the contributions of America's World War II merchant mariners, telling the country and the world that they ``have written one of its most brilliant chapters. They have delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater of operations and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult and most dangerous job ever taken.'' Yet despite this record of exemplary, indispensable service to America's war efforts, merchant mariners were not given the formal recognition and benefits granted other services by the Congress through the G.I. Bill of Rights in 1945. In fact, no legislation to recognize the contributions made by World War II merchant mariners was enacted until Congress extended limited veterans' status to these gallant American citizens in 1988. We believe, as you have stated Mr. Chairman, that it is time to correct this injustice. We believe our country has an obligation to the remaining World War II merchant mariners to fully acknowledge their service and to give them the measure of benefit called for in H.R. 23. We ask you and your colleagues to take the first step in righting this wrong by voting to pass H.R. 23 during its consideration by the House of Representatives. We again thank you and the Members of your Committee for the support you have shown for the World War II merchant mariners. We stand ready to provide whatever additional information you may need. Sincerely, Thomas Bethel, President, American Maritime Officers. Timothy A. Brown, President, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. Ron Davis, President, Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association. Michael Sacco, President, Seafarers International Union.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 23) to amend title 46, United States Code, to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II, as amended.

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his endorsement, support, and leadership on our committee. He has raised some very good questions that I hope our committee will deal with. Mr. Speaker, without a doubt, these men, now all of them are in their eighties, the average age is 83, in fact, of the remaining 10,000 that are alive, have earned and deserve this delayed compensation. They fought the good fight. They gave our country everything they could. This is what H.R. 23 will do, provide the merchant mariners with the compensation they earned and have been denied for decades, not just in words, but in deeds. Mr. Speaker, I ask all the Members of this House for the support of this historic piece of legislation

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would state that with bipartisan working arrangements we have brought forward a package of bills today from the Veterans Committee which deals not only with our older veterans, but with our returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that's what we will continue to do. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2623, as amended Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FILNER

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 686, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 674, I was on official business outside the National Capital region in my capacity as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 675, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Westmoreland

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 677, I was on official business outside the National Capital region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 62 Offered by Mr. Campbell of California

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 679, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Jordan of Ohio

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 680, I was on official business outside the national capital region in my capacity as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' amendment no. 4 offered by mr. price of georgia

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 673, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Souder

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 672, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Announcement by the Chairman

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 676, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Lewis of Georgia

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 678, I was on official business outside the national Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 682, I was on official business outside the national capital region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Campbell of California

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 683, I was on official business outside the national capital region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 67 Offered by Mr. Pence

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 681, I was on official business outside the national capital region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 23 Offered by Mrs. Musgrave

Mr. FILNER. Madam Chairman, on rollcall No. 684, I was on official business outside the National Capital region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''