Resolution Urges Congress to Establish Fund for Veterans
Legislation Assembly Democrats R. Bruce Land and Bob Andrzejczak sponsored to encourage the federal government to establish a fund in honor of men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan was advanced by the General Assembly on Thursday.
The resolution (AR-38) urges Congress to use reward money offered for the capture of Osama bin Laden to establish a fund for the benefit of returning veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The courage and precision that members of the U.S. military exhibited in carrying out the execution of Osama bin Laden – without a single American casualty – was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Land (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “Congress ought to honor the brave members of SEAL Team Six and all those who have served in recent overseas conflicts with a fund for veterans.”
In 2001, the U.S. Department of State offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of bin Laden. Following the 2011 raid on bin Laden’s compound, however, the White House announced that no one would receive the reward.
“The effort of the men and women of America’s armed forces who carried out the raid on bin Laden’s compound eliminated a grave threat to the world’s security,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/ Atlantic/Cumberland). “While no amount of recognition can serve as sufficient honor for the nearly 3 million veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11th, establishing a fund for returning veterans is a fitting use of reward money promised by the federal government.”
Land and Andrzejczak both are veterans of the U.S. Army and Bronze Star with Valor recipients. They served in Vietnam and Iraq, respectively.
The Assembly passed the resolution unanimously.