House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

May 24, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Reps Burns, Hamzy: Measure Benefiting Active Duty National Guard Units Passes House

 

Bill would Hike Bonus for Active Duty Units in Combat Zones; Creates Bonus for Units Serving in Non-Combat Areas

Legislation that would increase the active duty service bonus for members of Connecticut National Guard units serving in combat zones and create a service bonus for active duty units serving in non-combat areas was approved today by the state House of Representatives, state representatives Ron Burns and William A. Hamzy, who cosponsored the bill, said today.

“It has become commonplace over the past few years for National Guard units like Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry, which is based in Bristol, to be activated and deployed for up to a year,” said Representative Burns, R-77th District. “Most guardsmen and women are citizen soldiers with families for whom active duty service can create considerable hardship – especially if the military spouse is the family’s principal bread-winner. Increasing the service bonus will help ease any financial problems guard families may have experienced during a husband or wife’s tour of duty in countries like Iraq or Afghanistan.”

“Several members of Charlie Company were recently deployed to Iraq while the entire battalion returned last month from service in Afghanistan,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District.  “They played an indispensable role in our country’s mission in Afghanistan and will continue to serve with distinction whenever our country or our state calls on them. The legislation we approved today is our way of thanking them for their service and their sacrifices. It was the right thing to do.”

Under existing law, current or former guard members called to active service on or after September 11, 2001 are entitled to a service bonus. The bonus is $50 for each month of active service up to a total of $500 for members who were in active service for at least 90 consecutive days. The bill approved by the House today would increase the maximum bonus for guard members who served in a combat zone to $1,200. It also creates a $500 maximum bonus for current or former guard members whose active service was not in a combat zone.

The measure (House Bill 6949) now goes to the state Senate for final legislative approval.