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Legislative Update

This is TROA’s legislative update for Friday, June 14, 2002

Issue 1: Authorization Bill/Concurrent Receipt Update.

Senate leaders hope to take up the FY2003 Defense Authorization Bill late next week, and finish up action on this legislation by the end of June, including amendments to increase the Survivor Benefit Plan age-62 annuity and end the disability offset to military retired pay for all disabled retirees with at least 20 years of service. With 83 senators already on record as cosponsoring full concurrent receipt legislation (S.170), there seems to be little doubt that the Senate will approve the amendment. That will set the stage for the real test in July when House and Senate leaders will have to sit down and resolve the differences between their two versions of the bill -- with the House’s phase-out plan as the “floor” and the Senate’s full concurrent receipt option as the “ceiling.”

Issue 2: Panel Considers Veterans’ Bills.

The House Veterans’ Benefits Subcommittee heard testimony this week on several veterans’ bills, including one that would codify the rules governing burial in Arlington National Cemetery. A new (draft) House bill governing eligibility for burial in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is being considered by the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) would allow an exception only for a citizen whom the President determines had performed extraordinary service, acts, or contributions to the Armed Forces.

Otherwise, the bill would restrict ANC burial to: members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty; retired members of the Armed Forces, including retired National Guard / Reserve members who served on active duty; veterans awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star or a higher decoration for valor; former prisoners of war; National Guard / Reserve service members who served on active duty and have qualified for retirement, but have not yet retired; the President or any former President; and certain family members of the above-listed eligibles.

The HVAC Benefits Subcommittee also heard testimony on other veterans’ bills, including: *H.R. 3173, introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), which would allow optional purchase of increased Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) up to $1,000,000 and upgrade protections for deployed service members under the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act against eviction from a leased house or apartment.

*H.R. 3771 (Rep. Joe Crowley, D-NY), a bill that would allow monetary benefits paid to veterans by States and municipalities to be excluded from income for purposes of VA pension benefits eligibility determinations.

The Benefits Subcommittee also reviewed a bill (H.R. 3735) that would improve the administration of overpayments to veterans, and another (H.R.4042) that would prohibit collection of additional charges for prepaid housing loans guaranteed by the VA.

Copyright © 2002, The Retired Officers Association (TROA), all rights reserved. Part or all of this message may be retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose or in any commercial product, posted on a Web site, or used in any non-TROA publication (other than that of a TROA affiliate, or a member of The Military Coalition) without the written permission of TROA. All retransmissions, postings, and publications of this message must include this notice.

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Chapter Newsletter Receives Third Award

President Al Garcia and Newsletter Editor Steve White attending a luncheon of the New Mexico Council of Chapters held at a Holiday Inn in Santa Fe on June 1, 2002. The purpose for attending the luncheon was to receive the 2001 Chapter Newsletter Award for Category IV chapters.

The receipt marked the Chapter’s third consecutive receipt of the award. COL William Wollenberg, representing TROA National and COL Gil Martinez, representing the NM COC presented the award to Al and Steve.

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President's Page

By Al Garcia

The May general membership meeting was the last one as we go into summer mode, that is, vacation time, gardening, travel, etc. Some of us have been and will be tied up with grandkid's graduations, upcoming weddings, family reunions, and a host of other activities. We wish all of you God speed and that you will return refreshed in September when we have our next membership meeting.

Memorial weekend was full of activities throughout the country honoring soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice during the past few wars we have experienced. I was impressed to see our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, in Normandy honoring WWII soldiers. New Mexico media carried many stories honoring other heroes living and dead.. The Daily Times carried several good stories which I am sure you all read. All of us, members and spouses, contributed to the war efforts in one way or another and we should feel honored for roles we played in defending our country.

I was reviewing some of our earlier newsletters and thought how some of the stories written by George Duckworth, Joe Ziems, Charles Keller, and others could have been used by The Daily Times. Each member of this Chapter has tales to tell of their experiences and I encourage you to contribute some of these stories for publication in our Newsletter. Each of you has a story, let Steve or I help you put it together..

The main activity this summer will be the traditional Summer Picnic. In the next few weeks a decision will be made as to when it will take place. We know it will be at the Garcia home. We have said we will try to do a fund raiser by contributing items for a silent auction. We have always had a great time at these picnics.

It is great to see that several members of the Chapter have volunteered to help with the National High School Rodeo coming up on July 18-28. We will be seeing each other there as we lend a helping hand to make the event a great success for San Juan County. On behalf of your officers and the Board of Directors, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to participate.