Title: An act relating to defining veteran for certain purposes.

Brief Description: Defining veteran for certain purposes.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Rasmussen, Oke and Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/15/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: The definition of veteran includes every person who has received an honorable discharge, or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable, and who served in at least one of a number of armed forces branches, reserves, national guards, crews, or scouts, and is seeking benefits.

Summary of Bill: The definition of veteran now includes a documented merchant mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the Department of Defense in Korean or Vietnam territorial waters during 1950 through 1953, and 1964 through 1975, respectively.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The merchant marine veterans seek recognition, not benefits or money. The merchant marine veterans of WWII have been recognized. The members have been given awards by the Department of Commerce and the Korean government. The members seek an official show of support for their service and contribution. There are about 200 members seeking this recognition. They are not eligible for benefits under the federal program because they do not have the requisite discharge form.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Ron Springer, American Merchant Marine Veterans; Dennis Primoli, Veteran's Legislative Coalition.