Honoring Our Veterans
Posted on Wednesday, 11 of November , 2009 at 8:59 am
COMMENTARY
By Congressman Scott Murphy
Today, a grateful nation pauses to honor the brave men and women who have been willing to sacrifice everything in the service of their country. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to these exceptional Americans, and I am proud to take part in honoring them.
While this day is highlighted nationally as a holiday, we must continue to work every day to ensure that our veterans and their families are getting the proper benefits and respect that they have more than earned.
Since entering office, I have made it a priority to work on behalf of the soldiers, veterans and their families of the 20th District. I am proud to have introduced and supported legislation that will have a positive effect on active soldiers and veterans alike. Here is a quick summary of some things that I have been working on to help support our military families:
Post 9/11 GI Education Fairness Act of 2009
I am happy to announce that last week I introduced the Post 9/11 GI Education Fairness Act of 2009. My legislation would expand the Post 9/11 GI bill to allow service members to use the benefits to cover the costs of professional certification programs, apprenticeships, and other training at non-college degree institutions. Although the Post 9/11 GI bill brought educational benefits into the 21st century, I am working to enhance the legislation to ensure sure that our veterans receive all the assistance they need to pursue any career they choose.
Extension of GI Bill Benefits to More National Guard Members
This bill will extend the benefits of a four-year college education to Title 32 members of the National Guard. These soldiers played a critical role in recent operations such as airport security following the attacks of 9/11, responding to the crisis in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and new border security efforts as a part of Operation Jumpstart.
Homebuyer Tax Credit for Military Families
I voted to extend a first time homebuyer tax credit for military, Foreign Service, and intelligence agency personnel who were posted abroad for at least 90 days during 2009. This legislation eliminates the unfair burdens to those proudly serving our nation abroad from purchasing a new home.
Stop Loss Compensation
I voted to provide compensation for soldiers and families whose military contracts of service were broken involuntarily in the Stop Loss program. Soldiers are now eligible to receive a maximum of $500 per month for every month they were involuntarily retained beyond their established operation date. This is an important step towards recognizing the extreme sacrifice of our military men and women who bravely served beyond their initial obligation to the armed forces.
Free Mail to Soldiers Abroad and in Military Hospitals
I co-sponsored the Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act, which will provide transferrable postal vouchers to overseas and hospitalized soldiers, which can be given to friends and family members to cover the costs of mail and packages. This is an important step towards maintaining the crucial connections between our service members and their families.
Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009
I co-sponsored the Agent Orange Equity act of 2009, which would provide a broader definition of a Vietnam veteran. The definition would include service in the inland waterways, ports, waters offshore, and harbors of and the airspace above the Republic of Vietnam. This definition would extend compensation to all veterans of Vietnam who may have been exposed to Agent range.
Category: Calendar, Good News, Government, Military, Nationwide, New York State, Politics
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