Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 366) to amend title 38, United States Code, to treat certain individuals who served in Vietnam as a member of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea as a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States for purposes of the provision of health care by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 366

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act'' or the ``Korean American VALOR Act''. SEC. 2. PROVISION OF CERTAIN BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

Section 109 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(d)(1) Any person described in paragraph (2) is eligible for the benefits specified in subsection (a) to the same extent and under the same conditions (including with respect to applicable reciprocity requirements) as a discharged member of the armed forces of a government specified in such subsection who is eligible for such benefits under such subsection.

``(2) A person described in this paragraph is a person whom the Secretary determines served in Vietnam as a member of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea at any time during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, or such other period as determined appropriate by the Secretary for purposes of this subsection.''.

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Mr. BOST. 366.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Ranking Member Takano's bill, H.R. 366, the Korean American VALOR Act.

This bill would allow Korean veterans who served during the Vietnam war and later became American citizens to be eligible for VA healthcare. VA has been providing healthcare services to ally veterans through government agreements since World War I. These Korean-American veterans deserve the same opportunity.

Korean-American veterans share similar needs with the veterans they served alongside with in Vietnam. They suffer from PTSD and Agent Orange exposure, among other injuries and illnesses. These veterans have earned access to proper care through the VA. Ranking Member Takano's bill will do exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, this year marks the 70th anniversary of the vitally important alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea. As such, this bill is a fitting tribute to thank the Korean-American veterans for their service. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 366.
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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, we do need to remember that this is a perfect week to do this when Memorial Day is coming up, and we are honored to make sure that these veterans are recognized in the way they should be and that they do receive healthcare.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation.

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