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

Fri Feb 15 17:19:52 UTC 2013

Hear hear!

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Burke
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 9:30 AM
To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
Subject: [Nfbmt] Fwd: RELEASE: Tester, Heller fight to expand travel options
for disabled veterans

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

Visit us on Face Book at http://bit.ly/nfbmtfb My Cell:  406.546.8546

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