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Congressman Al Green Leads 117th Congress to Deliver on President Roosevelt’s Historic Promise to U.S. WWII Merchant Mariners

September 23, 2021

(Houston, TX) — On Thursday, September 23, 2021, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) released the following statement in light of his amendment passing the floor of the House:

“I am honored to announce passage of my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) modeled after my legislation H.R. 39 – Honoring our World War II Merchant Mariners Act of 2021. In 1944 when President Roosevelt signed into law the GI Bill which provided our veterans tuition free education, unemployment benefits, health care, low-cost low-interest loans in tandem with other benefits; it did not include our Merchant Mariners. In truth as a matter of fact, when President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law, he stated ‘I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the merchant marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country.’”

Congressman Al Green continued, “I am humbled to have been aided by Mr. Charles Mills and the Merchant Mariners in their quest for recognition of their honorable service to our country with a one-time payment of $25,000 for their heroic sacrifices. This meaningful legislation has been elusive since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law in 1944. For 77 years justice has been denied to our WWII Mariners. With the passage of this beneficial legislation, a deferred promise is closer to fruition. The gallantry of these men has enabled us to relish in freedom and liberty. This legislation is an expression of gratitude for deeds that have no measure.

Congressman Al Green – whose amendment for the Merchant Mariners was submitted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – went on, “I am hopeful our Senate will pass the NDAA and believe President Biden will sign it into law. For now, one of the greatest obstacles the Mariners were facing has been overcome: the acknowledgement from our government that they are worthy of reward for risking and thousands sacrificing their lives for our freedom.”