News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Cardoza Announces Support For 'Operation Hero Miles' |
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Program Enables U.S. Troops In Iraq To Visit Their Families |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2003 |
CONTACT: Bret Ladine (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – Congressman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, this week announced his support for Operation Hero Miles, a program that enables anyone to donate frequent flyer miles to U.S. troops serving in Iraq so they can fly home free of charge during two-week breaks for R & R.
Troops are currently flown from Iraq to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, but are responsible for paying their own airfare for connecting flights to their hometowns. Although Congress recently provided funding for troops’ R & R travel, the money will not be available for several weeks until fully approved by the Budget Office. In the meantime, more than 470 troops arriving in the U.S. each day must still pay for their own domestic airfare. "Asking our troops in Iraq to pay for huge airfares to see their families is like taxing them for their service to our country," Cardoza said. "I’m glad we’ve taken the appropriate steps to fix the problem, but until those changes take effect, we can show our appreciation by contributing to Operation Hero Miles." Miles can be donated to the program by using its web site at www.heromiles.org. A link to Operation Hero Miles is also on Cardoza’s web site at www.house.gov/cardoza. Currently, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines are participating in the program. Cardoza has donated all of his Delta miles. To date, 7.8 million miles have been donated through the web site.
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