Dems' GI Bill Ensure Troops Who Sustain Wounds do not Also Sustain Pay Cuts

Dems' GI Bill to Ensure Troops Who Sustain Wounds
Do Not Also Sustain Pay Cuts

Representative Markey continues the fight for special pays for
wounded soldiers
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) today joined 157 fellow Democrats in supporting
the "GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century," introduced by Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX). The bill, HR 2131
is a package of legislative provisions that was first unveiled by House Democrats in April. The package
will improve services for our men and women in uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the
veterans and military retirees who have already served. The bill also includes the "Crosby-Puller Combat
Wounds Compensation Act," legislation that was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Markey to ensure
that the pays of injured soldiers that are evacuated from the combat zone for treatment are protected.
"The brave men and women in our Armed Services are heroes and they deserve our full support. Right
now, we are adding salt to the wounds of injured soldiers by slashing their salaries when they get
injured," Rep Markey stated. "The new GI Bill ensures that all of our troops are honored; whether they
are fighting in the combat zone, injured or retired from service, every man and woman that has put on the
uniform to serve our country needs to know that their sacrifice will not be forgotten."
The new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century will improve benefits for our men and women in uniform
by bolstering our support for our troops in harms way, as well as their families here at home. Further,
there are special provisions for the National Guard and Reserve, as their service in Iraq and Afghanistan
has been above the call of duty. It will provide better education, health care and job training benefits for
those who have answered the call.
For our troops, this package will modernize and enhance the GI Bill - providing the full cost for college
or job training for those serving four years of active duty. These provisions are critical to helping our
returning soldiers become a productive part of a prosperous economy, and also provide an important
recruiting tool to encourage new soldiers to sign up.
"On the battlefield, soldiers pledge to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that we too
will leave no member behind. Let us honor their service with a New GI Bill of Rights worthy of our
grateful nation," said Rep. Markey.
Rep. Markey took up the cause of protecting the special pays of combat wounded soldiers when a
constituent of his, Lance Corporal James Crosby, was wounded by enemy fire while riding on a U.S.
military vehicle in Iraq and suffered instantaneous and substantial pay cuts along with his wounds. James
is one of many wounded soldiers that would benefit from the special pays that are provided in the new GI
bill.
For more information on Rep. Markey's work to protect the special pays of combat wounded veterans
check out: http://www.house.gov/markey/

http://www.house.gov/markey/Issues/iss_armedservices_pr050505.pdf