Bill Text: NJ SR90 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commends Senator Frank Lautenberg for efforts regarding stop loss compensation, urges Congress to pass the extension of benefits deadline, and raises awareness of compensation among eligible military personnel.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-11-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [SR90 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR90-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Commends Senator Frank Lautenberg for efforts regarding stop loss compensation, urges Congress to pass the extension of benefits deadline, and raises awareness of compensation among eligible military personnel.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution commending United States Senator Frank Lautenberg for seeking to extend the deadline for extra compensation for military personnel affected by the stop loss policy of the armed forces, urging Congress to pass the extension, and raising awareness of the compensation among eligible military personnel.
Whereas, Stop loss is a policy used by the military leaders of the Armed Forces of the United States since 1984 to involuntarily extend military service beyond an enlistment contract; and
Whereas, In 2008, United States Senator Frank Lautenberg, of New Jersey, drafted legislation to provide extra compensation to the service members, veterans and beneficiaries who have been affected by the stop loss policy since 2001; and
Whereas, In June of 2009, President Obama enacted legislation that provided $534.4 million to pay retroactive bonuses to members of the armed forces who have been affected by the stop loss policy; and
Whereas, The deadline for applying for the extra compensation is October 21, 2010, but as of early October, only 62,118 out of 145,000 eligible claims have been paid; and
Whereas, Senator Lautenberg is concerned that many service members, veterans and beneficiaries will not receive the compensation they deserve and has urged the Department of Defense to use advertisements, direct mailings and veterans organizations to reach out to all who are eligible and educate them about the application process as soon as possible; and
Whereas, Senator Lautenberg has drafted legislation to extend the deadline for eligible military personnel affected by the stop loss policy to apply for the extra compensation; and
Whereas, It is essential for the Department of Defense to follow Senator Lautenberg's suggestion to reach out to all military person eligible for this benefit; and
Whereas, It is also essential that the Department of Defense take the lead in raising public awareness about the retroactive compensation for the extra time service by service personnel who were affected by the stop loss policy; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to commend Senator Lautenberg for seeking to extend the deadline for extra compensation for military personnel affected by the stop loss policy of the armed forces, to urge Congress to pass the extension, and raise awareness of the compensation among eligible military personnel; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House commends United States Senator Frank Lautenberg for seeking to extend the deadline for extra compensation for military personnel affected by the stop loss policy of the armed forces, urges Congress to pass the extension, and raises awareness of the compensation among eligible military personnel.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to Senator Frank Lautenberg, to the presiding officers of the United States Congress and every member thereof from New Jersey, to the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, and to each federally-chartered veteran organization in New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This House commends United States Senator Frank Lautenberg for seeking to extend the deadline for extra compensation for military personnel affected by the stop loss policy of the armed forces, urges Congress to pass the extension, and raises awareness of the compensation among eligible military personnel.
