WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 23, The Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007

Comment by Michelle Rockman (September 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My father bravely served during war time, yet only two years before he passed away, did he get the recognition he deserved. The original bill provided a benefit to the surviving spouse. Now it appears that it has disappeared from the final bill. Is this correct?...

Comment by Gerald T. Greene (August 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Joined USMM at age 16. Now 80 yrs Wait a bit longer and we will all be gone. Side point. Who do you think carried the supplies for Korea, Afghanistan and Irag?? It arrived by osmosis....

Comment by AILEEN PANCHERI (August 18, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

TIME MARCHES ON, CONGRESS IS ON VACATION, HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE. TILL ALL THE mERCHANT mARINERS ARE GONE. MY HUSBAND IS ALREADY 81. oTHER LESS IMPORTANT THINGS HAVE TAKEN OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THEY SERVED, THEY DESERVE!!!...

Comment by Deane Knowles (July 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

my husband Frank L. Knowles was captured at the beginning of the war and spent 4 years in horrilbe conditions during that period. Do we not even now deserve some compesation? Please let this bill go forward....

Comment by Carl Harless (July 13, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

What is wrong with our government? the merchant mariners lost 1 out of every 25 people they deserved this benefit long ago,how many more will pass away befor this is passed?...

Comment by Laura OogheT (July 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Thats our tax dollars/government hard at work.! Keep shuffling papers until about 1/2 of the current surviving M.M.'s are left to drop the original dollar amount. I just hope my father-in-law is still around when /if this does pass!...

Comment by M Gould (June 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

My dad (Combat MM Veteran, 42-45, 3 theatres.)was hoping to get this benefit. He's gone now. So how many more have to go before this is passed? Very disappointing....

Comment by robert vilagi (May 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Does the committee know that the RUSSIAN government gave GOLD medals to the merchant marines that made the NORTH ATLANTIC RUN to Russia during the war?...

Comment by john courville (April 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am one of the 80+ .Evene my life insurance was canceled at end of V J day while I was in mine infested waters off Okinawa....

Comment by w miller (March 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

my father was a merchant marine during ww11 and he nor my mother didn't receive anything for him serving in this war...when and how do you get these benefits started..and does his children who were minors at the time get anything from this bill..?...

Comment by w d hobbs (March 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

if not now when,we are all over 80 years old,all of the washington officals retire on what they are making as asen. or congressman,good luck to all my comrads...

Comment by Donna Bannister (February 5, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

The tribute of the Merchant Marines in WW11 was magnificent performance of dedication, loyatly and honor for this country. The benefit package should be expediently approved....

Comment by Connie Heffern (November 27, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

It is about time that the American people thanked these men for their heroism. All of our Allies in WWII have been compensated. What's wrong with our Country....

Revision by webmaster (October 15, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 23 would amend title 46, United States Code, to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.

Detailed Summary

<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 27, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b>

Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit before October 1, 2009; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.

Requires the Secretary to include, in annual budget documents submitted to Congress, detailed information on the Fund's operation.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/5/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (September 6, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts from taxation benefits paid under this Act.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/5/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of September 5, 2007

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

9/5/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Revision by webmaster (July 31, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/30/2007: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 30, 2007

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/30/2007: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Revision by webmaster (July 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/18/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee Hearings Held.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (July 19, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/17/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 17, 2007

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/17/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Status as of April 18, 2007

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

4/18/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee Hearings Held.