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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 23, 2019 05:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Pam Iovino |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Global War on Terror Compensation Bond Fund |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will establish a Global War on Terror (GWOT) Compensation Bond Fund to provide bonus payments to veterans of our most recent conflict to honor their dedicated service. Our great Commonwealth has a long and proud history of providing a war bonus to veterans of foreign wars. As we approach Memorial Day, and the GWOT nears its 18th year of combat, we should continue this effort for veterans of the GWOT, many of whom have been out of combat and/or service for more than a decade. In line with recommendations from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, I am putting forward legislation to establish a GWOT Compensation Bond Fund. Similar to bond funds established for previous wars, veterans of the United States armed forces, reserve component of the armed forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard who served in theater, or supported operations in theater, would be eligible to apply for a war bonus. Veterans must have been Pennsylvania residents during active duty, and must currently be residents of Pennsylvania, to qualify for the bonus. For those eligible, those that served outside the continental United States would receive $50 for every month of service (e.g. 9 months of service would result in a $450 bonus), while those serving inside the continental United States would receive $25 for every month of service. Such bonuses would be capped at $2,500. Further, veterans KIA (or their families, in this case) and POWs shall receive an additional bonus of $5,000. The fund would be capped at $200 million in bonuses. If approved, the decision to establish the fund would appear as a state-wide ballot question in the next general election. Pennsylvania war bonus programs date back to the Revolutionary War and have been instituted for every major foreign conflict since World War II. By establishing this fund, we are once again affirming our appreciation to those that have courageously served our country and our commitment to support them and their families. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Memo Updated: May 23, 2019 05:44 PM