Ehrlich on Washington column, October 13, 1996

( NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of October 13, 1996 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. The 104th Congress: A Review of Important Issues HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE In my Memorial Day 1995 column, I wrote that we as Americans owe our fallen war heroes “a debt we can never fully repay.” I have often reflected back upon these words. Just how possible is it to “fully repay” such an awesome debt? There are two things that we must do to honor them. We must look out for those still in harm’s way — the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines currently on duty. And we must take care of our nation’s surviving veterans and their families. I have taken these obligations seriously since coming to Congress. Let me tell you what I have done to make life better for America’s current fighting men and women. • America’s service men and women deserve a raise. That is why I voted for legislation which provides for a three percent basic military pay increase, and a 4.6 percent housing allowance increase. • We must make life easier for the spouses and families of military personnel. Accordingly, I supported legislation which provides billions more for family housing and military construction projects such as medical facilities and day care centers. • America’s fighting men and women should have the equipment they need to do their jobs. I supported a bill restoring important funds to the key underfunded areas of the