| MERCHANT MARINE BILL PASSES
FULL HOUSE Would give
World War II Merchant Mariners $1,000 a month.
NOTE from Larry Scott, VA
Watchdog dot Org ...
Click here to use our search engine to learn more about the
Merchant Marines. We get the latest from Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA),
Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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House Votes to Thank WWII Service of Merchant Mariners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Bob Filner (D-CA),
Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced
that the United States House of Representatives approved H.R. 23,
the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act
of 2009. The bill would establish a Merchant Mariner Equity
Compensation Fund and allow qualifying Merchant Mariners to
receive monthly payments of $1,000 out of that fund.
 Chairman Filner stated, “I have been fighting for more than a
decade to provide Merchant Mariners of WWII the thanks they
deserve for their forgotten service – not just in words, but in
deeds. This Congress is once again on the precipice of correcting
a grave injustice heaped upon the gallant men of the Merchant
Marine of World War II. These heroes were not granted veteran
status until 40 years after the War. We are here today to rectify
the improper denial of G.I. Bill benefits and to find a way to
compensate them, more than 60 years later, for their heroic
deeds.”
H.R. 23, as amended – The Belated Thank You to the Merchant
Mariners of World War II Act of 2009 (Filner)
This bill establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity
Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who,
between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented
member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport
Service and the Naval Transport Service).
The bills will next be considered by the Senate Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs.
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TOPICS:
veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs,
Merchant Marine, Merchant Mariners, World War II, Rep. Bob Filner |
