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GUTIERREZ STATEMENT REGARDINGDISPARITIES IN BENEFITS FORILLINOIS VETERANS

Congressman calls on Veterans' Affairs agency to stop shortchanging
brave men and women for their service and sacrifice

CHICAGO -- U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement today regarding the low benefit and compensation levels provided to Illinois veterans and the long waiting periods they must endure before their cases are decided:

"It is unconscionable that brave men and women from Illinois who are fighting for our freedoms abroad are being shortchanged by a bureaucracy when they return home.

"When these men and women come home, they should not have to fight a government agency for disability benefits as hard as they had to fight our enemies abroad. They should be treated as heroes and as patriots. They should get the best services and the proper appreciation for their courage.

"While we can never put a price on their sacrifice and bravery, it is unacceptable that Illinois veterans are being poorly compensated for their wounds. It is wrong that these men and women sometimes have to wait years for a ruling on their benefits.

"As more soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan, we must ensure that the wounded and disabled are treated with dignity and with decency, and that their cases are resolved as quickly and compassionately as possible. And I intend to make sure that every soldier is treated with the respect and honor they have earned and deserve."

Rep. Gutierrez has joined members of the Illinois delegation to request a meeting with Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Anthony J. Principi and local veterans' organizations to address this critical situation.

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Congressman Luis Gutierrez, U.S. House of Representatives 

2367 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515 
(202) 225-8203
(202) 225-7810 Fax

3455 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-1655
(773) 384-1685 Fax

1310 W. 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 666-3882
(312) 666-3894 Fax

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