Veterans Day and Merchant Mariners

Floor Speech

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Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, next week, Americans will celebrate Veterans Day and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served this Nation, but one group of veterans has gone unrecognized far too long.

In World War II, more than 200,000 merchant mariners braved troubled seas to deliver supplies to the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. They faced enemy attack and suffered a casualty rate higher than any other uniformed service.

Unfortunately, the World War II Merchant Marine veterans were never eligible for benefits under the GI Bill and were long excluded even from Veterans Day celebrations. Many of these merchant mariners are now well into their eighties and nineties and have yet to receive the honor and appreciation they deserve.

As Veterans Day approaches, I am calling once again on my colleagues to pass H.R. 563, legislation that will provide the fewer than 5,000 surviving World War II Merchant Marine veterans with a one-time $25,000 payment as a token of this Nation's appreciation.

When my colleagues are home in their districts celebrating Veterans Day, I hope that what I have said today will prick their conscience. Despite their sacrifice, despite their patriotism, one group of veterans has not been celebrated. Our merchant mariners deserve so much more. It is time to pass H.R. 563.

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