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Legislative/Chapter News>
AFSA Newsletter September 19, 2008
September 19, 2008
AFSA NEWSLETTER
September 19,2008 Volume 3, Edition 36
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Bolstering Strong Relationships on Capitol Hill. AFSA International President, CMSgt (Ret) John ‘Doc’ McCauslin, and SMSgt (Ret) Bob Price, Deputy Director, Military and Government Relations, met with Rep. Bob Filner, Rep. Gus Bilirakas, and four military legislative assistants on September 18, 2008. They championed improvements to the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Benefit Act of 2008, and expressed concerns about recent recommendations by the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation and the Commission on the National Guard and Reserve. Your AFSA continues to work hard for you every day to protect your entitlements and improve quality of life issues for you and your family members.
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FY2009 NDAA Update. After offering and considering hundreds of amendments, the Senate passed S. 3001, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, by a vote of 88-8 on 9/18. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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Is a Lame Duck Session on the Horizon? Some in Congress would like to adjourn the 110th Congress in about a week by passing a continuing resolution to provide funding through February 2009 and allow a new Administration to “call the shots” for next year. AFSA has urged congressional leaders to instead move ahead on legislation, especially on those issues that would provide necessary hardware, quality-of-life programs, and appropriate compensation for those who are serving and have served this nation. We will continue pressing the matter and hope legislative accomplishment will ultimately trump political wrangling. We also hope to share with you next week the situation on Capitol Hill has moved from speculation and talk to action and achievement.
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Get Ready to Vote! In November, much is at stake – executive branch leaders, all seats in the House of Representatives, and one-third of Senate will be determined. State and local elections occur as well. Please study the issues/positions of candidates and exercise your right to vote. We strongly urge all AFSA members to ensure they are registered, and make it a point to vote for those who best represent your interests. To learn more about voting, both resident and absentee, click HERE.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
AFSA & AFMF Host POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at Air Force Memorial. The Air Force Sergeants Association and the Air Force Memorial Foundation hosted a POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, at the Air Force Memorial. Speakers from the host organizations as well as a former MIA daughter representing the National League of POW/MIA Families spoke at this ceremony that was open to the public.
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National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2008. A proclamation by the President of the United States of America . “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the brave and patriotic Americans who were held as prisoners of war, and we remember those who are still missing in action. For their valor and selfless devotion to protect the country they love, our Nation owes them a debt we can never fully repay. On this day we underscore our commitment and pledge to those who are still missing in action and to their families that we will not rest until we have achieved the fullest possible accounting for every member of our Armed Forces missing in the line of duty. To read the rest of President Bush’s proclamation click HERE.
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Time of Remembrance. More than 3,000 family members of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines will be honored for having their loved ones pay the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. “A Time of Remembrance” will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the Washington Monument Grounds on the National Mall. For more information contact the White House Commission on Remembrance at (202) -783-4665 or click HERE.
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CSAF Future Vision. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton A. Schwartz recently addressed the delegates at an Air Force Association convention, speaking about the future of the Air Force. He spoke about joint operations, a new tanker, the Air Force’s nuclear custodianship, and many other subjects. To read more, click HERE.
Go back to Interactive Topics
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LEGISLATION NEWS AND UPDATES
H.R. 6925, by Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-SD, would amend title 10, United States Code, to require that each member of the Armed Forces receive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services provided by the Secretary of Labor before that member separates from active duty service.
H.R. 6930, by Rep. James Moran, D-VA, (and 11 original cosponsors) would amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize extended benefits for certain autistic dependents of certain retirees.
H.R. 6939, by Rep. Bob Filner, D-CA, would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide two-fiscal year budget authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Related bill: S. 3527.
AFSA Staff Note to H.R. 6939 and S. 3527: This reflects a compromise on an issue long-sought by AFSA to provide ‘mandatory funding’ for Veterans Health Care. While it won’t put this important program in the ‘must pay’ portion of the budget, it will provide significantly better predictability for the VA , so they can improve access and how they deliver health care for America’s veterans.
H.R. 6945, by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-LA, would amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to hospital care for veterans in major disaster areas, and for other purposes.
H.R. 6968, by Rep. Gwen Moore, D-WI, would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project regarding access to mental health services by members of the Armed Forces.
S. 2617. After clearing Congress on September 16, the “Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008,” was presented to the President for signature. This bill would give veterans the same cost-of-living adjustment (effective December 1, payable January 1, 2009) as that given to Social Security recipients. The actual COLA will not be known until mid-October. However, current trends, based on the Consumer Price Index, show that it may be as high as six percent. The President is expected to sign this legislation within the next week.
S. 2969, by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-HI, would amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, and for other purposes. Related Bill: H.R. 6153. UPDATE: Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar 9/18/08.
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GENERAL NEWS
Joint Letter to Airmen. In their first joint letter to Airmen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and acting Air Force Secretary Michael W. Donley focused on the Air Force mission: “to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace.” To read the letter in its entirety, click HERE.
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Airman’s Roll Call. This week’s Roll Call focuses on the Air Force’s 61st birthday. To read this Roll Call celebrating the extraordinary heritage of our great service, click HERE.
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ANG Meets End Strength Goal. For the first time in 5 years, the Air National Guard met its fiscal year end strength recruiting goal. To read more about this achievement and what got the Guard to that point, click HERE.
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New MFI Commander. On September 16, Army General Raymond T. Odierno assumed command of Multinational Force Iraq from Army General David H. Petraeus during a ceremony at al Faw Palace near Camp Victory, Iraq. GEN Petraeus will assume command of U.S. Central Command. GEN Odierno, who is beginning his third tour in Iraq, served under GEN Petraeus as commander of Multinational Corps Iraq. To read more about this change of command, click HERE.
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Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15 to October 15, 2008, is Hispanic Heritage Month. To read about just one of many celebrations taking place this month, click HERE.
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Pentagon Memorial Unveiled. To read about the official unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial and comments from the Airmen in attendance, click HERE.
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COMMENTARY
The Value of Service. A deputy group commander and parent of a fallen Army paratrooper offers his perspective on service, sacrifice and President Bush. To read more, click HERE.
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On Being a Patriot. To read a commentary from a McGuire AFB NCO about patriotism, click HERE.
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Airman’s Creed. To read what the Airman’s Creed means to an Airman from Elmendorf AFB, click HERE.
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AFSA MEMBER SERVICES/BENEFITS
Your Air Force Sergeants Association has partnered with a wide range of service providers, retailers, and suppliers to create exclusive members-only specials and extended services. Take advantage of the benefits of your AFSA membership today! Log onto www.hqafsa.org for a complete list of "Exclusive Member Services."
Angel Food Ministries would like to thank the Air Force Sergeants Association for inviting us to attend the Professional Airmen's Conference and International Convention a few weeks ago in San Antonio. We appreciate all that you do to make our Country the Best in the World . Angel Food Ministries looks forward to a continued partnership with AFSA to support and serve the Airmen of this Great Nation. We are also excited about blessing 10 winners from our Info Expo booth’s drawing with a free box of food from Angel Food Ministries. The winners are: Jeff Ledoux-Barksdale, Dob Hernandez-Lackland, Mary Castro-Barksdale, Coral Thomas-Tennessee, Aaron Gray-Bolling, Al Hernandex-NAS Ft. Worth, Mr. V. A. Koppenhaver-Alabama, Samantha Whitfield-Tyndall, Verlinda C. Green- Tennessee, Mary Martin-Homestead.
If you have any questions concerning how your base can partner with Angel Food Ministries, please contact Chuck Proffitt, Angel Food Ministries Director of Military Affairs at: (770) 820-5049 or Chuck.Proffitt@angelfoodministries.com.
DISCOUNTS ON PRESCRIPTIONS
Great News! AFSA members & dependents have a NEW Prescription Discount Benefit: RxAmerica. Click here to find out more. Cut your prescription costs up to 20% on brand-name drugs and save as much as 50% on generic medicines with the RxAmerica program. Whenever you use the RxAmerica card at a participating pharmacy, RxAmerica’s computer compares the pharmacy’s price for your prescription with the association discounted price. You’ll receive the lowest price. For details on all of our AFSA Insurance benefits (General, Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Long Term Care, Dental, Cancer and Wellness) click HERE.
AFSA 529 EDUCATION PLAN
Wachovia Securities, John Hancock and your AFSA have come together to create a one-of-a-kind 529 College Educational Plan for AFSA members only. A 529 Plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. It is named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which created these types of savings plans in 1998. Now you can set-aside money for education for the special children in your life.
Please click HERE to review the "Frequently Asked Questions" and HERE for the “AFSA 529 Application."
For general information regarding 529 Plans and an up-to-date college education calculator click HERE.
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