PRINTER'S NO. 3384
No. 313 Session of 1990
INTRODUCED BY TRELLO, HAYES, MAYERNIK, DeWEESE, McNALLY AND
GIGLIOTTI, APRIL 18, 1990
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, APRIL 18, 1990
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing Congress to reject any proposals which would
2 reduce or erode the benefits provided to former members of
3 the United States Armed Forces and their dependents and
4 survivors.
5 WHEREAS, It is reported that a committee within the Veterans'
6 Administration has been studying and may recommend to Congress,
7 as a means of reducing the Federal budget, a number of proposals
8 which include the elimination of significant established
9 benefits, services and entitlement programs for disabled
10 veterans; and
11 WHEREAS, These proposals would send a strong signal to
12 Congress endorsing the elimination of long-established
13 entitlement programs for veterans, particularly those veterans
14 with injuries or disabilities sustained while serving in the
15 armed forces of the United States; and
16 WHEREAS, It was the intent of the Congress of the United
17 States from the beginning of our Republic to make just and
18 reasonable restitution for the service and sacrifice of those
1 men and women who have served in defense of this nation; and
2 WHEREAS, Successive Congresses and Administrations have
3 recognized this obligation and reaffirmed our national
4 commitment to those who have served in nine succeeding major
5 armed conflicts, expanding this obligation, in Abraham Lincoln's
6 words, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for
7 his widow, and his orphan"; and
8 WHEREAS, Any reduction of established benefits and services
9 would be a betrayal of those veterans who have so gallantly
10 served in the past; and
11 WHEREAS, This commitment not only serves the veteran, the
12 widow and the orphan, but, by example and support, promotes the
13 national defense by giving reassurance to those who serve now or
14 those who may desire or have to serve in defense of this nation;
15 therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, while
17 recognizing the seriousness of the current Federal budget
18 deficit, memorialize Congress to reject any proposal which would
19 erode or eliminate any veterans' benefit or service provided by
20 the Federal Government as a means of reducing Federal
21 expenditures; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
23 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
24 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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