Keeping Faith with Those Who Serve

Stop Loss Compensation, GI Bill Extension to Children of Killed Service
Members, and Care Facility Improvements Among Supplemental Bill's New Benefits

WASHINGTON, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eve of the anniversary of
our nation's founding, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy and Col. Don Fowler,
Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Committee's Veterans and Military
Families Council released the following statement lauding the efforts of the
President and Democratic Congress to support our veterans:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/DNCLOGO)

"On the week of the anniversary of the birth of the United States, the
President enacted into law the 2009 supplemental appropriations bill which
extends new benefits to those Americans who, like their ancestors of 1776,
have voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect the American people.

"The men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States deserve
access to the highest quality health care facilities and mental health
programs available to help with their transition to civilian life. The
President's budget request includes the largest increase to veterans funding
in 30 years, building on recent efforts to modernize veterans hospitals and
facilities and improve care for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

"And the historic benefits provided by the New GI Bill, which ensures a bright
future for our warriors returning to a civilian life, will now be available to
the children of those who have lost their lives in active duty."

After September 11, 2001, tens of thousands of Americans answered the call of
duty and signed up to serve their country. Since then, under the Bush
administration's stop-loss policy, they have been asked to serve double and
triple tours of duty - putting a huge emotional and financial burden on
service members and their families. As enacted by the President and Democratic
Congress, the supplemental compensates those veterans who were asked to bear
the extra burden by providing a $500 allowance for every month served under
stop-loss orders since September, 10, 2001.

The bill also includes important provisions to support family members of those
who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their life in service to their
country. The Fry Scholarship, a new benefit included in the bill, provides
extended GI Bill of Rights college education benefits for children of service
members who die in active duty.

To support military families, the bill also provides $1.8 billion for defense
health programs that provide family counseling and traumatic brain injury and
psychological health research. The bill supports the construction of nine
wounded warrior support complexes to help wounded soldiers recover and invests
$488 million in military hospital construction, as well as investments to
complete construction at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

SOURCE Democratic National Committee

DNC Press Office, +1-202-863-8148