House Proceeding 05-12-09 on May 12th, 2009 :: 1:32:50 to 1:37:00
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1:32:37 to 1:32:58( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: this is the wrong approach. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman om california is recognized. mr. filner: does the gentleman yield back the remainder of his time? the speaker pro tempore: yes. mr. filner: madam speaker, without a doubt, these men now, average age almost 85, fought the good fight and gave our

1:32:50 to 1:37:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bob Filner

1:32:59 to 1:33:20( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: country their all. and h.r. 23 will provide them with a compensation they earned and were denied for decades, not just in words but in deeds. madam speaker, i ask that letters of support from the american maritime officers, the international organization of pilots, the marine engineers beneficial association and the

1:33:21 to 1:33:42( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: sea farers expressing their strong support for h.r. 23 be included in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. filner: madam speaker, major general, the u.s. army retired, william mats jr. who is president of the national association of uniforms for uniform services wrote to all

1:33:43 to 1:34:03( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: members of congress that on behalf of nais, celebrating its 41st year, i write to ask to you approve h.r. 23 to, the blailted thank you to merchant mariners of world war ii act. strongly urges to you honor the service given in harm's way

1:34:04 to 1:34:25( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: during world war ii by members of the u.s. merchant marines. despite the recent arguments against this bill, hmpt r. 23 does not -- h.r. 23 does not, repeat, does not, put one group above others or take funding from other groups or programs. history shows that the merchant mariners of world war ii had every reasonable expectation that they would be treated as veterans for their service in world war ii.

1:34:26 to 1:34:46( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: general mets goes on, when president roosevelt signed the g.i. bill in 1944 he said, and i quote, i trust congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the merchant marine who risked their lives time and time again during the waror their country. unfortunately, congress did not act until 44 years later, long

1:34:47 to 1:35:08( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: after other war veterans had used the generous benefits our nation provided and received the medical care necessary to treat their wounds for all those years, the u.s. merchant marine combat veterans received no help from the government that they served and little to no recognition for wartime service to our country. they missed out on the g.i. bill for their education, the g.i. home loan program for purchase

1:35:09 to 1:35:29( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: of their family homent and related earned benefits, not to mention the cost of the medical care they underwent for wounds, injuries and illnesses they experienced. their service was shelved and taken for granted. the letter goes on, nearly 300,000 men answered the call to train and serve in the u.s. merchant marine. many never returned home and many others who did return came

1:35:30 to 1:35:51( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: home with physical and mental wounds. these men put their lives on the line for their country, with 95 -- 9,520 killed, 12,000 wounded, 663 taken as prisoners ners of war and 606 who died in the p.o.w. camps. fewer than 10,000 of these braveg men who calinged our

1:35:52 to 1:36:12( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: enemy at sea survive today. we, that is the national association of uniformed services, ask you to support these now almost ancient mariners wse heroic contributions as members of the ocean going mariners helped to secure the american victory in world war ii. on behalf of a grateful nation, i ask you to honor these braveg men with your vote for h.r. 23.

1:36:13 to 1:36:33( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: time is running short for a final thanks to the merchant mother in her of world war ii. let us not squander this opportunity. and, madam speaker, that was the letter from the president of the tional association of uniformed services, major general of the u.s. army retired william mets jr. i can say it no better and i urge my colleagues to support

1:36:34 to 1:36:54( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: h.r. 23 as amended. time and yield back the bance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 23 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting ha in the affirmative, the rules

1:36:55 to 1:37:07( Edit History Discussion )

Bob Filner: are suspended, the resolution is agreed to. and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the