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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 27, 2015 11:31 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Mario M. Scavello |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Resolution Urging Congress to Pass H.R. 563, legislation providing for the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund |
| In the future, I intend to introduce a resolution urging the Congress of the United States to consider passage of H.R. 563, legislation directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States Merchant Marines (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. More than 200,000 Americans served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II, aiding our nation’s military efforts in both Europe and the Pacific, and thousands of which faced enemy attack and died at sea while hundreds more were captured and held as prisoners of war. However, despite having the highest casualty rate of any United States service during World War II, Merchant Marines were not eligible to receive veteran’s benefits. Consequently, this Resolution is being offered in honor of those Merchant Mariners for their sacrifice, dedication and bravery to country, by urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 563, providing a one-time lump sum of $25,000 to each of the surviving World War II Merchant Marines. Many of these veterans are well into their 90’s and fewer than five thousand Merchant Mariners who served in World War II are alive. Please join me in recognition of these Merchant Mariners for their sacrifice, dedication and bravery. If you have any questions regarding this resolution, please contact Christine Zubeck in my office at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SR148