[Nfbmt] Fwd: RELEASE: Tester, Heller fight to expand travel options for disabled veterans

[Dan Burke]

FYI - This is the work of the NFB of Montana!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Malessa, Dan (Tester)" <Dan_Malessa at tester.senate.gov>
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:12:15 +0000
Subject: RELEASE: Tester, Heller fight to expand travel options for
disabled veterans
To:

[cid:image002.jpg at 01CE0060.FFE45EA0]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Tester, Heller fight to expand travel options for disabled veterans
Senators introduce bill to let 100% disabled veterans fly aboard
military aircraft


(U.S. SENATE) - Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.)
are fighting to improve travel options for the nation's 100 percent
disabled veterans.



Under current law, retired service members can fly on military
aircraft when there is extra space onboard.  But 100 percent disabled
veterans who don't qualify for retired pay are ineligible for this
benefit.



Tester and Heller are introducing a bill that will give 100 percent
disabled veterans the same flying rights as retired service members.



"These veterans embody the definition of patriotism and sacrifice,"
said Tester, Montana's only member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee.  "This bill is a common-sense way to honor their service
and improve their quality of life by increasing their access to the
benefits they have earned."


"Our nation's disabled veterans live every day coping with the cost of
freedom, and we owe a great deal of gratitude to these selfless
patriots.  By expanding travel options for our nation's disabled
veterans, we can help ensure they receive the benefits they earned and
deserve," Heller said.



Several Montana World War II veterans contacted Tester in support of
the bill, which is backed by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and
the National Federation of the Blind.


"Extending space-available military air travel to 100 percent
service-connected disabled veterans would send the message that our
country truly honors their service and sacrifice, something they
richly deserve," said DAV National Commander Larry A. Polzin.  "The
DAV thanks Senators Tester and Heller for introducing this important
legislation."



"We are delighted that Senators Tester and Heller will lead the way to
include veterans who have 100-percent service-connected disabilities
in the military's Space Available Transport program," said Dan Burke,
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana.
"Senators Tester and Heller are taking immediate action to address a
concern brought to them by blind constituents."



Montana Senator Max Baucus is also a co-sponsor of the bill.


"There's no reason our service disabled veterans should be denied
these benefits available to all retired service members.  This bill is
about doing right by our heroes and cutting the red-tape standing in
the way of benefits they rightly deserve," Baucus said.



Tester also recently improved veterans' transportation when his bill
to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire drivers to
transport veterans to VA health care facilities became
law<http://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2735>.  Heller
has also introduced legislation that helps veterans across Nevada
recoup travel expenses for necessary visits to VA health care
facilities.



The Senators' bill to let totally disabled veterans to travel on
space-available military aircraft is online
HERE<http://www.scribd.com/doc/125522916/Space-available-military-air-travel-bill>.



-30-


Contact:          Andrea Helling or Dan Malessa (Tester) - (202) 228-0371
Chandler Smith (Heller) - (202) 224-6244





-- 
Dan Burke, President
The National Federation of the Blind of Montana

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