Reimbursing Members of the United States Armed Forces for Certain Transportation Expenses

REIMBURSING MEMBERS OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES -- (House of Representatives - March 30, 2004)

Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2057) to require the Secretary of Defense to reimburse members of the United States Armed Forces for certain transportation expenses incurred by the members in connection with leave under the Central Command Rest and Recuperation Leave Program before the program was expanded to include domestic travel.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding me this time.

On Saturday of last week, I attended the funeral of Sergeant Phipps, who had been killed in Iraq in the line of duty. And, of course, as one could expect, it was a very solemn period, and there were thousands of people from his community who came to pay their last respects.

It occurred to me as this bill was coming to the floor that individuals should have the opportunity certainly to come home and visit for rest, recuperation, and to see their families and friends while they are alive and healthy.

So I simply came down to urge passage of this legislation and to indicate my support for it and to suggest that all soldiers who give of themselves should have the opportunity to experience interaction with their family.

I thank the sponsors of this legislation, and I urge its strong support.

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