Bob Filner: “I think it is appropriate following the gentleman from Arizona's remarks on the anniversary of the Normandy invasion…”

“I think it is appropriate following the gentleman from Arizona's remarks on the anniversary of the Normandy invasion that we talk about our veterans in their current situation. On the first day of the 105th Congress I introduced legislation to terminate the confusing system that discriminates against surviving military spouses when they reach age 62. H.R. 165, the Military Survivors Equity Act, would simply eliminate the callous and absurd reduction in benefits that now burdens our military widows. Instead, they would get what they and their deceased spouses thought they would get: fifty-five percent of retired military pay. To put it simply, no offset. When I introduced that legislation and talked to my colleagues about it several months ago, I received letters from all over the country supporting this position, widows who described for me the situations that they were in. Let me read, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, several of the letters that I received: Dear Representative Filner: I hear from my friends that you have presented in Congress a bill concerning our Survivor Benefit Plan, SBP. Thank you very much. I have been a widow since November 1, 1973. My husband retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years, 6 months and 4 days of active duty in 1964. He died on November 1st, 1973. The Social Security offset has been hard to take since my income is only $1,300 a month. I am now 75 years of age and I really could use the money that is rightfully mine.…”