Walter B. Jones: “I want to read part of a transcript from the June 25 edition of ``20/20'' which featured a story on our military…”

“I want to read part of a transcript from the June 25 edition of ``20/20'' which featured a story on our military families who cannot make ends meet. I quote from the transcript. ``We begin with a shameful story about the men and women we count on to protect us, members of the United States armed services. They are prepared to die for us, but did you know that some of them must stand in food lines to help feed their families?'' Again, I quote from the transcript: ``It is a shocking sight to see proud American soldiers accepting charity and Federal aid just to get by.'' The show also featured a 26-year-old computer operations specialist who has served 6 years in the Navy, Mr. Speaker, but makes only $18,000 a year to care for his wife and three children. He said, and I quote, ``I've talked to managers at fast food restaurants who make more money than I do. And I'm prepared to die for my country if necessary. And sometimes that seems really unfair.'' A reported 600,000 enlisted troops, almost half the entire military base, make a base salary of $18,000 or less.”