<p>Two identical bills (HR23 and S663) have again been introduced in this Congress to provide a pension for World War II Merchant Marine Veterans. As of this day there are 119 cosponsors in the House and 19 in the Senate. The Representatives names are annexed hereto. It is estimated that there are about 9000 of the Merchant Marine war veterans who would benefit from this program of which 25% of the beneficiaries would be KP alumni. State Academy alumni would also be affected. As time goes by the numbers are seriously being diminished, because of age, and the deserved recognition for our Merchant Marine Veterans would forever disappear.</p>
<p>We fully support the efforts of the American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV), the Just Compensation Committee and other organizations to obtain passage of this legislation in this Congress. KP Alum including its volunteer lobbyists are working towards passage. It we can obtain sufficient endorsements in the House there is an opportunity to get passage in the House about Maritime Day 2009. We must continue our efforts in the House and more so in the Senate to obtain sponsorships in the Senate and particularly in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chaired by Senator Daniel K. Akaka of Hawaii. Veterans Committee members include: John D. Rockefeller IV, WV; Ms. Patty Murray, WA; Sherrod Brown, OH; Jim Webb, VA; John Tester, MT; Mark Begich, AK; Roland Burris, IL; Bernard Sanders, VT; Richard Burr, NC; Arlen Specter, PA; Johnny Isakson, GA; Roger Wicker, MS; Mike Johanns, NE; Lindsey Graham, SC. (Underlined names above are Senators who are cosponsors of the Senate bill)</p>
<p>It is urgent that you communicate with your legislators in both the House and Senate, by telephone and mail and/or email to request that they become a cosponsor of the legislation in their chamber if they are not already a cosponsor. If they are a cosponsor then thank them and ask for their assistance in getting the legislation passed.</p>
<p>The legislation is bipartisan and has been sorely needed to redress the neglect in the recognition of the Merchant Marine War heroes who remain alive from World War II before it is too late. You can call your legislator by calling the Capitol switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to you Congressman or Senators office and if you dont know their local and Washington addresses or wish to use email as well you can locate that information handily by going to website THOMAS</a> (Library of Congress) Then: for House 1. Click on House of Representatives. 2. Then click Representatives.3. Scroll down to your state and select your Congressman and click onto their name for how to communicate with them. For Senate goto the Thomas website above and 1. Click on Senate. 2. Click on Virtual Reference Desk. 3. Then click on Senators home pages and email addresses. 4. Then click on Senators in the third column. 5. Then select your senators from your state. You can also track the progress of the legislation and the cosponsors by entering HR23 or S663 on the home website of Thomas. You can also get information for form letters and information to be included in your communications on the website of the Ammv at its website American</a> Merchant Marine at War - Revolution to World War II to today</p>