President threatens veto of new Concurrent receipt bill!

[Gimpy]

I received the attached message below in my E-mail this morning. PLEASE--PLEASE write your Senators & Congresspersons ASAP!

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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Action E-List

FROM: Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director

SUBJ: CONCURRENT RECEIPT UPDATE

DATE: May 14, 2002

All members and citizens concerned about the long-standing injustice that requires military longevity retirees to forfeit a dollar of retirement pay for every dollar of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation must take immediate action and notify the President of their concern.

A White House statement on May 9, 2002, regarding the House-passed version of the Defense Authorization Bill, argued against a provision that would authorize $5.8 billion over five years so disabled military retirees can receive both VA disability compensation and retirement benefits. It noted that the President would veto the bill.

Please use the enclosed letter or the prepared e-mail message on the legislative acvocacy section of our web site, at www.dav.org to urge the President to consider changing his position on this important issue.

Thank you for your continued support.


JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director


NEWS RELEASE

Contact David E. Autry (202) 314-5219


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2002

DAV Denounces White House Effort to Cut Funding for Disabled Military Retirees

President Bush?s fight with Congress over the defense authorization bill could mean that disabled military retirees will continue to suffer an injustice that prohibits them from receiving both disability and retirement benefits.

Among the president?s objections to the measure is a provision strongly supported by the House and Senate that would overturn the century-old requirement that military retirees waive a portion of their longevity retired pay equal to the amount they receive in veterans? disability compensation.

"It is unconscionable that President Bush appears to care so little about retired members of the armed forces who were disabled as a result of their service to our nation," said George H. Steese, Jr., National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). "There is strong support in Congress to correct this long-standing injustice toward disabled military retirees, but the president is opposed to the provision."

The House version of the defense bill would authorize $5.8 billion over five years so disabled military retirees can receive both disability and retirement benefits. The Senate is expected to authorize full concurrent receipt benefits for all disabled military longevity retirees in its version of the defense bill.

"It is grossly unfair that career military veterans must waive their retirement pay in order to receive VA disability compensation," said Commander Steese. "We must put an end to this long-standing injustice against some of America?s most deserving disabled veterans. These men and women dedicated their lives to serving our nation and became disabled as a result of their service and deserve to be treated fairly."

The million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation?s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation?s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization?s Web site www.dav.org.

SAMPLE LETTER:

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500


Dear Mr. President:

I am extremely disappointed to learn that your May 9, 2002 statement, regarding the House passed version of the Defense Authorization Bill, argued against a provision that would authorize $5.8 billion over five years so disabled military retirees can receive both disability and retirement benefits.

It is especially disheartening that career military personnel are treated so unfairly during a time of such heavy reliance on our armed forces. Men and women who earned retirement pay did so by virtue of dedicating 20 years or more to the defense of our nation. It is grossly unfair that career military veterans must waive their retirement pay in order to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. Retirement pay is an entirely different benefit from VA disability compensation, which is intended to alleviate the impact of lost earning potential from disabilities incurred as a result of active duty. Certainly, it is easy to recognize the unfairness of this law.

The fiscal year 2003 defense package would authorize the most significant funding hike for the military since the Vietnam War. Likewise, the farm subsidies bill will receive record level funding. In light of theses appropriations, I cannot understand why military retirees warrant such little consideration from the government they served.

Mr. President, I hope you will consider changing your position on this important issue. There is strong support in Congress to correct this long-standing injustice toward disabled military retirees. Those who devote their lives to a military career and suffer life-long disabilities as a result of their service deserve our utmost gratitude.

Please let me know what action you will take on this matter.


Sincerely,